Transcript Highlights:

• It really is with plastic gas, and you have a location. Is it Valencia?
• We were capable of taking plastic waste and converting it into usable gasoline, diesel, paraffin, and
• I'm currently still consulting to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in counter-chem, bio, and nuclear
• Madam Chair, Senator, we work heavily with White Sands Missile Range as well as the Defense Threat Reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• So all of the uncertainty about Pell grants and the reduction essentially in funding of qualification
• Um, first one is to use waste plastic.
• We have a lot of waste plastic and a lot of them went to the environment or in the landfill.
• Um, as she mentioned, plastics is a big issue, recycling is a big issue in the state.
• If we could take plastics and make hydrogen out of that, that would just enhance what we're doing here

Transcript Highlights:

• Planners saw their own strategic thinking in the Inflation Reduction Act's approach of bestowing massive
• I mean, we've really gone down a very weird pathway with respect to plastics.
• If China, for instance, is responsible for dumping 60 or 70 percent of the plastics into the Pacific,
• has a lower cost for its product because it doesn't have proper pollution control with respect to plastic
• The issue of plastics is, I think, a pretty significant one.

Keywords: tariffs, Trump administration, economy, public testimony, trade policy, market access, export controls

Summary: The meeting focused on various significant topics concerning the recent tariff policies and their wide-ranging implications on the American economy. Members expressed their concerns regarding the negative impact of increased tariffs as proposed by the Trump administration, with specific emphasis on how families might suffer from higher costs and market access issues. The discussion was lively, with members questioning the clarity of the tariff plan and raising concerns about its potential effects on small businesses and American exports.

Transcript Highlights:

• industrial contamination by Sobain industrial contamination by Sobain performance<00:25:38.240> plastics
• c> and<00:25:40.640> um<00:25:41.039> I<00:25:41.360> don't performance plastics
• and um I don't performance plastics and um I don't believe<00:25:42.080> that<00:25:43.039>
• So, um, I think the Criminal Justice position will quickly lead to a dramatic reduction in harmful derivative
• I think the Criminal Justice position will quickly lead to a dramatic reduction in harmful derivative

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in plastic.
• plastic bottles. plastic bottles.
• PET plastic. terrael. I practice that. PET plastic.
• have plastic in it also. have plastic in it also.
• of plastic. of plastic.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have to be dragged out in court, lots of time and money spent to prove whether or not a piece of plastic
• have to be dragged out in court, lots of time and money spent to prove whether or not a piece of plastic
• have to be dragged out in court, lots of time and money spent to prove whether or not a piece of plastic
• That would make you could just pick up an officer could be like, oh, here's a piece of plastic.
• <01:29:42.920> obviously criminal activity reduction obviously criminal activity reduction

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered House Bill 279 and House Bill 392, both relating to firearms. HB 279 would restrict carrying or possessing firearm parts except at or between certain locations and in an enclosed container, define firearm parts and prohibited persons, and increase penalties for violations. The Department of Law Enforcement strongly supported the bill, saying it would close a loophole involving disassembled or “ghost gun” parts and help law enforcement charge people who carry weapons in pieces. Most public testimony opposed the measure, with speakers arguing it was unconstitutional, vague, hard to enforce, and would burden lawful gun owners, gunsmiths, and firearm dealers; several also said existing laws already cover the conduct. One supporter, Dennis Dunn, said additional firearm security could reduce theft and suicides. The chair noted the committee had received 270 testimonies on HB 279, with 39 in support, 234 in opposition, and one comment. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for using a ghost gun in a felony. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported the bill, saying unserialized firearms are difficult to trace and that prosecutors need clear laws to address them. Supporters argued the measure would help prevent untraceable weapons from circulating and align penalties with other firearm offenses. Opponents, including several gun owners and association representatives, said the bill was unnecessary because existing state and federal laws already prohibit unserialized firearms, and warned it could create confusion, criminalize lawful owners of antique or self-built firearms, and be difficult to administer. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill relative to the natural organic reduction of human remains.
• bags, and plastic containers for fluids.
• <01:47:21.119> for plastic bags, and plastic containers for plastic bags, and plastic containers
• <01:49:34.880> The the tape and the plastic baggies.
• The the tape and the plastic baggies.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee began a work session on House Bill 1600, concerning access to the centralized voter registration database on election days. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the state already has a new statewide voter registration system connected to town clerks and supervisors of the checklist, and that the bill was probably unnecessary but acceptable if the legislature wanted it. He raised concern about language that could require direct electronic access in every polling place, noting that some polling locations lack reliable internet or cell service and that municipalities can change polling locations, which could make a rigid requirement expensive and impractical. Members discussed whether the bill should be clarified to allow direct or indirect access, including use of a phone-based workaround, and the secretary said that would address his concern. The committee then voted on HB 1600. Representative Maguire moved ought to pass with an amendment adding “direct or indirect access” on page one, line seven, and the motion was seconded. The amendment was adopted 9-0 by voice vote, and the committee then voted 9-0 to OTP the bill. The chair stated that HB 1600 would be placed on consent. The committee next took up House Bill 1197F FN, a technical correction to insurance laws. Members noted it had already passed the House with amendment and that the fiscal note was effectively indeterminate but would not affect the general fund because the insurance agency is self-funded. The committee voted 9-0 to OTP the bill; the chair said consent calendar placement would be decided by the full committee. Finally, the committee opened a work session on House Bill 11:30 FN regarding judicial performance evaluations. Representative Lynn, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the fiscal note overstated the immediate cost and said the judicial branch could likely manage through the current biennium while implementing the new system. He also supported making judges’ names public and said the bill’s anonymity provisions were aimed at protecting the identities of questionnaire respondents, not the judges being evaluated. Members asked about public disclosure, internal access to evaluation materials, and the removal of language allowing the governor and executive council to receive evaluations on request; discussion continued on those points, but no final vote on HB 11:30 FN was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those gigantic bales of plastic and these big bricks of aluminum were pretty impressive.
• the seams that these gigantic<00:41:02.440> bales<00:41:03.079> of<00:41:03.440> plastic
• c><00:41:03.920> and<00:41:04.079> these<00:41:04.280> big gigantic bales of plastic
• and these big gigantic bales of plastic and these big bricks<00:41:05.119> of<00:41:05.839>
• <01:05:28.359> to<01:05:28.559> Staffing<01:05:28.960> or more reductions to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Smoking rates among higher-earning adults decreased by 53.4%, compared to only a 16.6% reduction among
• <00:28:42.159> only<00:28:42.320> a<00:28:42.519> 16.6<00:28:43.399> reduction
• 53.4% compared to only a 16.6 reduction 53.4% compared to only a 16.6 reduction among<00:28:44.399
• State they receive a physical plastic State they receive a physical plastic card<01:15:28.159>
• plastic card and instead<01:15:32.320> just<01:15:32.480> walk<01:15:32.719> around

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Health Committee held its first hearing of 2025, with Chair Greg Takayama and Vice Chair Representative Leoy opening the meeting and outlining housekeeping rules, including a two-minute limit for testifiers and Zoom etiquette. The committee first heard HB 303 on health care preceptors. The Department of Health, Department of Taxation, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several health care organizations supported the bill, saying the existing preceptor tax credit program has been successful and that expanding eligibility to additional professions and students would help address workforce shortages. In response to questions, the Department of Health said the annual tax credit cap is $1.5 million, about 650 to 670 credits are currently used each year, and the bill applies only to unpaid preceptors. The committee then moved on to HB 441, which would raise cigarette taxes. The Attorney General, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and others supported the measure as a way to reduce smoking, especially among youth, and to support tobacco control and cancer-related programs. Opponents, including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Cigar Association of Hawaii, argued the tax is regressive and unreliable as a revenue source. The Department of Health noted the last cigarette tax increase was in 2011, and one witness urged a larger increase than proposed. No vote was taken on either bill in the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard HB 557 on telehealth. The Department of Health supported the bill so long as it did not displace executive budget priorities, and the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and Hawaii Primary Care Association supported it. HPCA said the bill would conform state insurance law to recent Medicare changes expanding audio-only telehealth coverage beyond mental health services, and it emphasized access for rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities. HMSA opposed the bill as written, saying it strayed from the intent of Act 107 and that audio-only telehealth should remain limited because of quality-of-care concerns, though it supported continued access and asked for a different amendment approach. A telehealth provider also testified that payment disparities limit provider expansion and that audio-only access remains important for patients with serious illness. The hearing ended in the excerpt before any committee action or vote on HB 557.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it just adds to our previous pollution reduction, uh, plastic pollution ban that was passed in '21
• This expands Colorado's existing plastic pollution reduction act.
• You know, the one that makes you pay 10 cents for a plastic bag to then put all the plastic from the
• plastic forks that we threw away. plastic forks that we threw away.
• When we saw the plastic ban<03:26:28.520> um<03:26:28.880> plastic<03:26:29.240> bag

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and heard several announcements and recognitions. Members marked World Ovarian Cancer Day, promoted Cinco de Mayo and a related potluck, welcomed DeMolay International guests, and recognized correctional officers and employees during Corrections Officers and Employees Week. Several committees also announced upcoming meetings and bill hearings, including Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Transportation, Housing, and Local Government, Capital Development, and Appropriations. Committee reports were read, including favorable recommendations on several bills and a postponement indefinitely of House Joint Resolution 1029. The Majority Leader then moved a slate of bills to special orders, and the House agreed without objection. The chamber then proceeded to floor consideration of Senate Bill 134, concerning payment card network fees. Senate Bill 134 drew debate over whether merchants should continue paying swipe fees on the tax portion of credit card transactions. Supporters said the bill would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and restaurants, with estimated savings of $8,000 to $10,000 per business and about $217 million statewide. Opponents argued the bill shifted costs to banks and could have unintended consequences, suggesting the state should instead directly pay or reimburse the fees. After debate, the House passed Senate Bill 134 by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• a level rate of increase over each of the four years of the contract, and then got a $2 million reduction
• And so, like if someone said, 'I need plastic surgery because I was injured and got a scar.'
• And so, like if someone said, 'I need plastic surgery because I was injured and got a scar,' we're not
• So, you know, we're talking about a $2 million overall cost reduction by... $2 million overall cost reduction

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, primary care, endocrinologists, infectious disease,
• Other countries who did not add fluoride to their water saw the same reduction in cavities at that time
• enormous strides taken in previous sessions to reduce harm and promote engaging in health, harm reduction
• We have it available in harm reduction settings. We have it in vending machines in some cities.
• Other community-facing organizations such as homeless shelters, harm reduction centers, and even the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing focused on children’s health, disease prevention, screening, treatment, and pharmacy-related bills. The chair explained that the session was for public testimony only, with no votes or decisions taken that day, and outlined the three-minute limit for individual testimony. The committee then heard testimony on a range of bills, including H. 2413 on adding electromagnetic sensitivity to the state’s MAVEN registry, S. 1508 and H. 2433 on creating an amputation prevention task force, H. 2535 and S. 1551 on establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund, S. 1635 on authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment, H. 2385 on creating a special commission on avian influenza, and S. 1497 on patient safety and non-FDA-approved compounded drugs. Testimony on H. 2413 came largely from advocates and individuals who described electromagnetic sensitivity as a real health condition and argued that adding it to the registry would improve data collection, provider education, and public awareness. Testimony on the amputation prevention task force bills came from the American Diabetes Association and podiatry groups, who said diabetes-related amputations are often preventable, disproportionately affect people of color, and could be reduced through earlier screening, better care coordination, and improved insurance coverage for preventive foot care. On the naloxone trust fund bills, a representative, emergency physician, and nurse testified that hospitals often cannot reliably send overdose patients home with naloxone because of billing and reimbursement barriers, and that a bulk-purchase fund would expand access at no added cost to payers or providers. The committee also heard strong support for S. 1635 from pharmacists and public health researchers, who said community pharmacists could safely initiate and maintain buprenorphine treatment and help close gaps in opioid use disorder care. On H. 2385, a local board of health chair supported a special commission on avian influenza, citing gaps in emergency preparedness and the need for clearer coordination across agencies. On S. 1497, a pharmacy representative opposed restrictions on compounded drugs from outsourcing facilities, warning that changes could reduce access to life-saving medications and harm patient safety. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center. Nicholas Liance in support.
• Heather Lusk, Vice Chair, with Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center.
• Nicholas Le, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, in support.
• reduction reduction and<00:42:57.880> support<00:42:58.680> I<00:42:58.880> see
• Lusk with HOV health and harm reduction Lusk with HOV health and harm reduction Center<00:43:06.640

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on SB 1419, SB 1494, and SB 1495, which were taken out of order to accommodate ASL/Death Blind Task Force testimony. SB 1419, relating to Act 253 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2023), drew support from the Department of Human Services and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, with testimony emphasizing use of the term “low vision” and support for the program timeline. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and updated appropriation fiscal years, and the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present. SB 1494, concerning hearing aids, drew broad support from disability advocates and others who argued that hearing aids improve health, reduce accidents, and may help reduce dementia risk. Testifiers also urged that the bill define hearing aids as prescription hearing aids rather than including over-the-counter devices, and the Department of the Auditor and Insurance Division raised cost and coverage questions. The committee recommended passage with amendments, changing the coverage approach to optional coverage similar to vision and dental and requesting a sunrise analysis for prescription hearing aids; that recommendation was adopted. SB 1495, which exempts hearing aids from the general excise tax, also received support, while the Attorney General flagged a possible single-subject issue and the Tax Department estimated a potential $1.1 million revenue impact. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including deletion of the challenged language, technical fixes, and noting the revenue estimate; that recommendation was adopted. The committee then moved through additional measures with mostly supportive testimony. SB 1421 on medical records prompted questions about what happens when a solo practitioner dies or closes practice, and the discussion centered on ensuring patients can obtain records, including a proposed amendment requiring a successor provider to send records to the patient’s last known address. SB 1422, dealing with a special fund and vital statistics funding, was supported by the Department of Health, which said the special fund did not meet criteria and that deposits should instead go to the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund. SB 1423 on certificate of need exemptions for Department of Health facilities drew support, with discussion of possibly extending exemptions to dialysis and behavioral health/psychiatric services; the Department indicated it would not oppose that change. SB 1424 on credentialing of health care providers also received support, and SB 1425 on the State Emergency Medical Services Committee focused on reducing quorum requirements because many members are active first responders and cannot always attend meetings. The committee also heard support for SB 1426 on emergency medical services, SB 1431 on viral hepatitis, and SB 1433 on harm reduction, with testimony on hepatitis outreach funding and syringe access best practices; for SB 1433, the Department of Health identified a blank in the bill and recommended a six-month period for the syringe-possession exception.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said the bill ignores the simple and reductive definition of sex and the rudimentary understanding
• ><04:11:18.040> the<04:11:18.159> simple<04:11:18.479> and<04:11:18.800> reductive
• 377 ignoring the simple and reductive 377 ignoring the simple and reductive definition<04:11:19.920

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• special revenue account of $150,000 each year, for a net $300,000 biennial reduction.
• <00:09:39.839> transfer<00:09:40.320> made a reduction in the transfer made a reduction
• <00:09:53.839> Both net $300,000 banial reduction. Both net $300,000 banial reduction.
• There is also, you'll note in the fiscal 25 columns, a reduction of negative $2.1 million.
• plastic or paper bags. plastic or paper bags.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're taking harm reduction professionals who are out there trying to reduce disease, drug abuse, and
• Um we're taking harm reduction Um we're taking harm reduction professionals<00:29:24.240> who
• as the prime sponsor testified, it does allow the discretion of the physician to say that breast reduction
• I have an immediate family member, a sister-in-law, who had breast reduction surgery.
• primary reason for the breast reduction primary reason for the breast reduction surgery<01:05:14.960

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 295 instructs the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a comprehensive waste reduction
• Because I know that, like, I have a repealer bill for single-use plastics that will not see the light
• The recommendations include efficiency reductions of 324 vacant positions and reducing the base budget
• by over $245 million, which represents an 8.6% reduction of the base budget.
• The budget includes funding for 9,016 authorized positions, a reduction of 2% from the current year.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met to consider three bills before moving to its budget presentation. HB 843, relating to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trust funds, was explained as a set of clarifying changes to improve budget flexibility, including use of certain trust funds for law enforcement and other conservation-related purposes. After questions about whether the bill would shift resources away from conservation, an amendment removed the sections dealing with the Administrative Trust Fund and the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund. The amended bill received support in public testimony and was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 295, which directs the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026 based on prior recycling recommendations. Supporters, including students involved in an “Ought to Be a Law” program and representatives from the waste and recycling industry, said the bill would create a roadmap for improving recycling and waste diversion. An opponent argued the state should instead enact more direct statutory changes on issues such as food waste, yard waste, and manure handling rather than study them further. Members praised the student participation and the bill passed. HB 339, creating a temporary alternative credentialing pathway for surveyors and mappers, was presented as a response to workforce shortages and an aging profession. The sponsor said the bill would help meet demand while preserving oversight, and an amendment added a four-year work requirement and adjusted renewal provisions. After brief supportive debate, the amended bill passed. The subcommittee then received its Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget proposal, which emphasized spending reductions, vacant-position cuts, and a smaller overall budget than the current year while still funding water resources, Everglades restoration, resiliency, land management, cleanup programs, agriculture facilities, and other projects. Members closed by thanking the chair for an inclusive budget process, and the meeting adjourned after a motion to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• kill seabirds and other types of plastic kill seabirds and other types of plastic debris<01:24:26.080
• <01:24:33.040> pollution<01:24:33.560> which<01:24:33.719> is micras plastic
• pollution which is micras plastic pollution which is harmful<01:24:34.280> to<01:24:34.440>
• This bill allows a six-month reduction of that administrative suspension if they plead guilty to the
• of that administrative re uh reduction of that administrative suspension<03:09:00.279> uh<03:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The challenge is that there's incredible investment through the Inflation Reduction Act through the NRCS
• The challenge, however, is when the federal government was closed or with the dramatic reduction in NRCS
• But for manufacturing aspects of things we did have a ban, you know, plastic bag ban, which I carried
• We have studies here in New Mexico at UNM saying how many parts per million of plastics we Have in our
• And I'm looking at wind turbines with friction reduction and the amount of PFAS That is used in their

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to emphasize that without this increase, Minnesotans will see service reductions in our state
• in our state park see service reductions in our state park and<00:20:34.640> recreation<00:20
• <01:18:47.280> So, well as plastic mechanical pencils.
• So, well as plastic mechanical pencils.
• <01:35:22.639> in would result in a minimal reduction in would result in a minimal reduction

Keywords: 1183, house