Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to today's Committee on Human Services and Homelessness, a hearing for resolutions.

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The Committee on Human Services and Homelessness met on April 1, 2025, to hear one resolution, HCR 37, which asks the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to work with other agencies on initiatives and outreach to help kupuna prepare for emergencies. Supporters, including AARP, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, Be Ready Manoa, Aloha Care, and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, emphasized that older adults are especially vulnerable in disasters and pointed to the Lahaina fire as an example of the need for targeted preparedness efforts. They said the resolution would help focus outreach on kupuna, caregivers, and others who may need assistance. No opposition was presented, and there were no questions from members. The committee moved to decision making and recommended passing HCR 37 as is. The measure was approved unanimously by the members present, with Rep. Takunuchi excused. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , who are going to be unable to really meet the work requirements because they're experiencing homelessness
• heard, we are disappointed, but are encouraged that you will move on the $75 million to support homeless
• youth services, homeless youth emergency services under the California Office of Emergency Services.
• So please make sure to support those homeless youth under the California Office of Emergency Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the concern about having impacts [clears throat], you know, creating homelessness or creating any
• [clears throat] you<00:11:26.640><c> know,</c><00:11:26.720><c> creating</c><00:11:27.000><c> homelessness
• </c><00:11:27.600><c> or</c> you know, creating homelessness or you know, creating homelessness or creating

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2011, six police officers beat and killed a homeless man, a schizophrenic homeless man, in the streets
• I paroled homeless. There was no clothing, no transportation. There's no vouchers.
• I paroled homeless. There was no clothing, no transportation. There's no vouchers.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s handling of mental health care in prisons and allegations of sexual abuse, retaliation, and excessive force in the state’s women’s facilities. CDCR officials described their PREA-based prevention and response efforts, including training, oversight, body-worn cameras, retaliation follow-up, and partnerships with outside groups. The Office of the Inspector General explained its monitoring role, noting increased authority under SB 1069, but also limited staffing and the ability to monitor only a portion of cases. The Legislative Analyst’s Office added that prison population trends could allow the state to close a prison and save over $100 million, with some savings potentially redirected to prevention or response efforts. Advocates and formerly incarcerated witnesses from Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition and the California Coalition of Women Prisoners testified that meaningful systemic change has not occurred and that retaliation, blocked programming, and unsafe reporting conditions remain widespread. They described alleged barriers to community-based services, forced or coercive treatment concerns involving Suboxone, and the need for survivor-centered reentry support, trauma-informed care, and more independent oversight. Sandra DeAnda gave detailed testimony about alleged staff abuse, retaliation, denial of mental health care, and a large use-of-force incident at Central California Women’s Facility, while Amika Mota and April Grayson urged release or resentencing for survivors housed with their abusers and greater investment in outside programs. Members of the committee pressed CDCR and OIG on accountability, use-of-force standards, criminal referrals, disciplinary outcomes, and whether investigations are completed within statutory timelines. CDCR acknowledged cultural problems at both women’s prisons and said it was retraining staff and working on reforms, while OIG said it had monitored 161 investigations and found most grievance routing appropriate, though some cases had lapsed due to time limits. Later exchanges revealed that CDCR has over 13,500 active cases and 109 investigators, and that some cases have exceeded deadlines, prompting concerns from members about whether the current system can adequately investigate misconduct and impose consequences. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• you're going to have to find other housing and all of a sudden we have now some people that are homeless
• <00:36:06.120><c> people</c><00:36:06.400><c> that</c><00:36:06.560><c> are</c><00:36:06.880><c> homeless
• ><00:36:07.760><c> and</c><00:36:07.880><c> now</c><00:36:08.120><c> we</c> some people that are homeless
• and now we some people that are homeless and now we have<00:36:08.560><c> to</c><00:36:08.680><c> figure

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an important provision for people who are experiencing homelessness, who have a right to vote
• </c><00:58:56.080><c> experiencing</c> people who are experiencing people who are experiencing homelessness
• 58.240><c> a</c><00:58:58.320><c> right</c><00:58:58.560><c> to</c><00:58:58.720><c> vote,</c> homelessness
• , who have a right to vote, homelessness, who have a right to vote, and<00:58:59.440><c> it</c><00:58

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• fragmented, people struggle with recovery and end up recycling back to emergency rooms, hospitals, homelessness
• rooms,</c><00:34:25.200><c> hospitals,</c> emergency rooms, hospitals, emergency rooms, hospitals, homelessness
• </c><00:34:27.679><c> SB</c><00:34:28.159><c> 2285</c> homelessness, and incarceration.
• SB 2285 homelessness, and incarceration.

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard several health-related measures. SB 3132 on syndromic surveillance drew support from the Department of Health, healthcare organizations, and others, with DOH explaining the bill would formalize a surveillance program that has helped with real-time flu tracking and response to events like the Maui fires. A member raised privacy concerns from opponents, and DOH responded that the data are deidentified and do not include Social Security numbers or dates of birth. No votes were taken on the bill in the portion provided. SB 3134 on emergency medical systems of care received broad support from SHIPA, DOH, military and EMS representatives, and others, who said it would modernize the EMS system. SB 3136 on lead materials and water infrastructure was also supported by DOH and SHIPA; members asked whether the bill would allow Hawaii to keep stronger standards if federal drinking water rules were weakened, and DOH said the state would not have to follow weaker federal standards as long as Hawaii remained as stringent or more stringent. SB 3138 on independent audits of deposit beverage distribution drew support from DOH and several industry groups, but with amendments to reduce burdens on small businesses, raise the audit threshold, and modernize reporting; opponents also testified. DOH later clarified that the measure would affect a limited number of distributors and said it is working on an electronic submission system, though not yet for audit filings. SB 3139 concerning SHIPA was supported by SHIPA and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, while HMSA suggested one provision should remain under the insurance commissioner’s purview. SHIPA said the bill is about collaboration and a broader health vision, not regulation, and members indicated they were comfortable with removing the disputed portion. SB 3207 on background checks drew support from healthcare providers but opposition from the Attorney General and DOH. Supporters argued the FBI fingerprinting requirement is costly, duplicative, and difficult to schedule, while opponents said the bill would improperly shift fingerprint collection authority to hospitals and other facilities and could conflict with federal law. The committee engaged in extended questioning about costs, federal requirements, and whether the mandate would be passed on to patients; no final action is reflected in the excerpt. The committee then began SB 2271 on hospital licensing, with support from SHIPA, the Developmental Disabilities council, healthcare groups, Kaiser Permanente, and DOH, and commenters said the bill would allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance through CMS-recognized accreditation, with a suggested wording change to “approved” accrediting organization.

Transcript Highlights:

• designated as local health jurisdictions—the cities of Berkeley, Long Beach, and Pasadena—to implement homeless
• 2020, the Legislature authorized counties to form multidisciplinary response teams to address homelessness
• We can address the individual mental health and housing needs of people who are experiencing homelessness
• ensure better outreach, better delivery of services, and better outcomes in terms of addressing homelessness

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several bills. SB 479 by Senator Arreguín would allow Berkeley, Long Beach, and Pasadena, as local health jurisdictions, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; supporters said it would improve coordination and services for unsheltered residents, and the bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations. SB 46 by Senator Umberg would direct the Secretary of State to keep constitutionally ineligible presidential candidates off the California ballot, including anyone who has already served two terms; supporters argued it was a constitutional enforcement measure, while Senator Niello questioned whether it was needed, and it passed 6-1 to Appropriations. SB 99 by Senator Blakespear would improve coordination between military and civilian systems by requiring courts and law enforcement to account for military protective orders and notify military authorities of possible violations; the Department of Defense supported it, while the ACLU raised due process concerns, and it passed 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 719 by Senator Cabaldon would extend the sunset on state reporting about high-risk automated decision systems from 2029 to 2032, and it passed 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 300 by Senator Padilla would strengthen California’s new AI chatbot law by requiring operators to prevent minors from being exposed to sexually explicit material; supporters said the existing law was insufficient, while industry groups warned against expanding a brand-new regime before it had been tested, and it passed 9-0 to Appropriations. SB 381 by Senator Wahab would allow adult adoptees, and descendants of adoptees, to obtain original birth certificates and create a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents; supporters described health, identity, and dignity concerns, while some members raised privacy concerns, and it passed 13-0 to the Senate Health Committee. SB 33 by Senator Cortese would eliminate the sunset on the public works contractor claim-resolution process, with supporters saying it reduces litigation and speeds payment, and it passed 10-0 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• designated as local health jurisdictions—the cities of Berkeley, Long Beach, and Pasadena—to implement homeless
• 2020, the Legislature authorized counties to form multidisciplinary response teams to address homelessness
• that we can address the individual mental health and housing needs of people who are experiencing homelessness
• ensure better outreach, better delivery of services, and better outcomes in terms of addressing homelessness

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 479 would let Berkeley, Long Beach, and Pasadena use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; the author and a Berkeley official said current state confidentiality rules prevent effective coordination, and the bill passed 9-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 46 would bar a person who has served two terms as President from appearing on the California ballot for a third term; supporters argued California has authority to enforce constitutional qualifications, while Senator Niello questioned whether the bill was needed, and it passed 6-1 to Senate Appropriations. SB 99 would improve coordination between civilian and military authorities on military protective orders and restraining orders; the Department of Defense supported it, the ACLU raised due process concerns about MPOs, and the bill passed 6-0 as amended to Senate Appropriations. SB 719 would extend the sunset on Department of Technology reporting on state agency use of high-risk automated decision systems from 2029 to 2032; there was no opposition and it passed 6-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also took up SB 300, which would strengthen California’s new AI chatbot law by requiring operators to prevent minors from being exposed to sexually explicit material or facilitation of such content. Supporters said new evidence shows current protections are insufficient and that the bill is needed now to address harms to children; industry groups opposed the bill as premature, arguing SB 243 had just taken effect and that the new standard could create strict-liability-like exposure and uncertainty. After extensive questioning, the bill passed 9-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 381 would give adult adoptees and descendants access to original birth certificates and create a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents; many adoptees and birth parents testified in support, while some members raised privacy concerns for birth parents. The bill passed 13-0 to the Senate Health Committee, with the author noting amendments would be taken in Health rather than Judiciary. At the end of the hearing, the committee shifted chairs and began SB 33, which would eliminate the sunset on the existing public works contractor claim-resolution process so agencies must continue to respond to claims, pay undisputed amounts, and use early dispute resolution. The author and sponsor said the process has reduced litigation and helped contractors and workers, and the bill was just being introduced when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• local health jurisdictions, namely the cities of Berkeley, Long Beach, and Pasadena, to implement homeless
• 2020, the Legislature authorized counties to form multidisciplinary response teams to address homelessness
• that we can address the individual mental health and housing needs of people who are experiencing homelessness
• ensure better outreach, better delivery of services, and better outcomes in terms of addressing homelessness

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so by investing and being proactive and providing solutions to prevent homelessness, we are helping
• stability and avoid the far greater cost, financially and human, that come when people are forced into homelessness
• As we heard, you know, it can cost $45,000 to get somebody out, a family out of homelessness, but with
• We know that so many families are struggling, one bad break away from experiencing homelessness, and

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a common-sense change to help Minnesota get to and maintain functional zero for veterans homelessness
• zero get to and maintain functional uh zero for<00:28:32.480><c> veterans</c><00:28:33.080><c> homelessness
• </c><00:28:34.080><c> mdva</c><00:28:34.760><c> has</c> for veterans homelessness mdva has for veterans
• homelessness mdva has worked<00:28:35.200><c> with</c><00:28:35.559><c> DCF</c><00:28:36.399><c> on<

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• a sustainable way on the streets, where people are struggling with mental health that leads to homelessness
• 00:16:37.800><c> their</c> mental health that leads to their mental health that leads to their homelessness
• 39.440><c> um</c><00:16:39.560><c> High</c><00:16:39.800><c> touches</c><00:16:40.199><c> with</c> homelessness
• and um High touches with homelessness and um High touches with incarceration<00:16:41.319><c> thank<

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a long calendar of health-related measures, beginning with SB 297, a proposed constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom. Supporters included medical, labor, and advocacy groups, while opponents, including Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Christian Coalition, argued the term “reproductive freedom” was too vague and could be misunderstood. Testimony on SB 350, a similar constitutional amendment protecting contraception, also drew strong support from medical and advocacy groups and opposition from religious organizations; one witness said the measure was especially important to protect reproductive care and contraception. Several bills focused on health system administration and public health. SB 1438 on home care agencies, SB 1439 on nuisances, SB 1441 on transferring the AAHU regional health care system to the Department of Health, SB 1442 on children’s mental health services, SB 1443 on the Department of Health, SB 1444 on general excise tax, and SB 1445 on youth mental health all received mostly supportive testimony from state agencies and community organizations. On SB 1445, the Hawaii State LGBTQ Commission asked that LGBTQI+ and Native Hawaiian youth be specifically considered in mental health services. SB 1450, creating an intensive mobile team pilot for houseless individuals with serious brain disorders, drew support from state agencies and providers; a street medicine advocate said the pilot could help address sustainability, insurance, and service delivery on the streets. The committee also heard testimony on access and workforce measures, including SB 1596 on nursing, SB 1565 on acupuncture, SB 1564 on Medicaid, SB 1418 for an emergency DHS appropriation, SB 1417 on crimes against protective services workers, SB 1411 on Medicaid third-party liability, SB 1399 on a family resilience pilot program, SB 1398 on trauma-informed care, SB 1281 on telehealth, and SB 1279 on telepharmacy. Most of these measures drew broad support from agencies, provider groups, and advocacy organizations. On SB 1281, HMSA opposed the bill as written, warning about audio-only telehealth and federal rule changes, while other health groups supported it as important for rural, kupuna, and disabled residents. On SB 1417, a Honolulu Police Department captain supported stronger protections for DHS workers but could not provide complaint data and said he would follow up later. The hearing ended with the chair noting quorum and asking whether the committee was ready for decision making; no votes or final actions were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• jurisdictions that have proven successful in increasing housing supply, lowering costs, and reducing homelessness
• And in a time when homelessness and housing costs are at high records, localities should not be exacerbating
• And in a time when<00:40:54.720><c> homelessness</c><00:40:55.520><c> and</c><00:40:56.040><c> housing
• </c><00:40:56.360><c> costs</c><00:40:56.680><c> are</c> when homelessness and housing costs are when
• homelessness and housing costs are at<00:40:57.040><c> high</c><00:40:57.240><c> both</c><00:40:57.480

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:05:23.359><c> insurance</c> Senator Port said the bill is going back to the housing and homelessness
• to uh the committee on<01:06:41.200><c> housing</c><01:06:41.520><c> and</c><01:06:41.680><c> homelessness
• </c><01:06:42.559><c> Um</c><01:06:42.880><c> and</c><01:06:43.280><c> you</c> on housing and homelessness
• Um and you on housing and homelessness.
• Senator Marty moves that Senate File 2205 pass and be referred back to the Committee on Housing and Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• students for the modern workforce.
• We know students are using it, whether we want them to or not.
• And I want to make one note: when I talk to high school students or middle school students about artificial
• And, you know, I think we all recognize that our students are struggling.
• School social workers support students' mental health, addressing trauma, connecting students and families

Summary: The House met on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for two deceased community members. Members also adopted Consent Calendar 29, which included House Concurrent Resolutions 153, 154, and 156, and passed House Concurrent Resolution 157 directing the State Lottery to report on iLottery options to support traditional lottery retailers, as amended to set a February 15, 2027 reporting deadline. The chamber then considered several bills on agriculture, telecommunications, health, fire service standards, corrections, elections, and education. Among the measures passed were Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program, Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecom carriers, Senate Bill 339 clarifying advance health care directives, Senate Bill 235 extending manufactured home rent increase rules, Senate Bill 325 updating firefighter/EMS background check and membership standards, Senate Bill 309 discharging incarceration-related balances, Senate Bill 324 on constable-related handgun purchase exemptions, Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication access, and Senate Bill 293 creating a licensure pathway for summer camp providers in the Purchase of Care program. The House also passed Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry regardless of race or gender while explicitly preserving religious freedom. The bill drew extended debate, with supporters framing it as a safeguard against future rollbacks of marriage equality and opponents raising concerns about constitutionalizing an issue already in statute; several members explained changed votes and personal reflections before the final roll call, which passed 28-12. House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after amendment, despite some opposition over party-system effects. Two measures were tabled or amended after debate: Senate Bill 233 on removing snow and ice from vehicles was initially tabled to consider a truck-driver exemption amendment, then the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 19 on studying health care costs was tabled briefly pending legal clarification. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a three-year pilot program for AI and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, data privacy, and teacher oversight. The transcript ends as House Bill 478 is being read in, but no final action on that bill appears in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• consideration to help these organizations, which are often the last stop on issues like foreclosure, homelessness
• consideration to help these organizations, which are often the last stop on issues like foreclosure, homelessness
• helping these organizations, who often times are really the last stop on issues like foreclosure, homelessness
• helping these organizations, who often times are really the last stop on issues like foreclosure, homelessness
• helping these organizations, who often times are really the last stop on issues like foreclosure, homelessness

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills first. SB 51, a comprehensive public financing bill for candidates, drew strong support in testimony but also concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund has only about $2.2 million, far short of what would be needed, and that the program could not realistically start in 2026 because of staffing and system changes; the commission asked for a start date no earlier than 2028. SB 118, which would create a full-time investigator position at the Campaign Spending Commission, was supported by the commission, which said it has lacked staff growth since 1995 and that an investigator is needed to handle investigations instead of having the commission’s attorney do that work. SB 255, a housekeeping bill on excess cash campaign contributions, was supported by the commission and several county officials and would require excess cash contributions over the limit to be returned within 30 days or turned over to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. SB 345, which would expand the current partial public financing program, was supported by the commission but drew questions because it would still allow private fundraising; the commission said that under its assumptions the bill would provide more total public funds than SB 51, with a maximum of a little over $20 million versus a little over $15 million for SB 51. Testimony counts were reported as 125 support/48 oppose for SB 51, 26 support/0 oppose for SB 118, 30 support/49 oppose for SB 255, and 30 support/49 oppose for SB 345. The committee then discussed SB 176 on recount thresholds. The Office of Elections said it would stand on written testimony, and the East Hawaii Republican Party was listed but not present. The Office of Elections explained in response to questions that the bill’s recount trigger would be based on the final election-day count, not the early 6 a.m. tabulation, because the initial count is not complete until later in the day and cured ballots are counted later; the office said it does not want to begin recounts before all election-day ballots are counted. The reported testimony count was 4 support, 50 oppose, and 2 comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 260, the Judiciary’s biennial budget bill. Judiciary staff requested about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027 for operations, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. The Judiciary said the request would support specialty courts such as Women’s Court, Truancy Court, and DWI Court, a new Wahiawa District Court unit, an additional district court judge in Kona, cybersecurity, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, and facility projects including South Kohala design work and a Kauai chiller replacement. Civil legal services providers, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, Kuikahi Mediation Center, the Domestic Violence Action Center, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, all supported the bill but asked for an additional $1 million for the civil legal services line item, saying demand is high and the funding is spread across more providers than before. The Judiciary clarified that some of its requested positions would support Wahiawa and Women’s Court, and that the civil legal services funding goes to organizations serving low-income residents on issues such as immigration, domestic violence, evictions, and foreclosures. The committee also briefly took up SB 279 on fentanyl possession thresholds, where the prosecuting attorney’s office supported the bill and said fentanyl is already driving overdose deaths and that the proposed thresholds target distribution-level quantities rather than personal use.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program aims to reduce and prevent people from living in institutions or becoming homeless.
• right now over 20,000 becoming homeless right now over 20,000 motans<00:52:07.240><c> receive</c><00
• And you go to Washington County, and they say, well, we're only doing it for homeless shelters.
• And you go to Washington County, and they say, well, we're only doing it for homeless shelters.
• And you go to Washington County, and they say, well, we're only doing it for homeless shelters.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Lindsey Port welcomed everyone to the Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention and called
• :52:37.319><c> eliminating</c> how it's absolutely eliminating how it's absolutely eliminating homelessness
• and so for me it matters homelessness and so for me it matters that<00:52:40.760><c> the</c><00:52:40.920
• go, and they're going to need some time to know where they can go, because if they don't, they're homeless
• so um uh again I'm willing to homeless so um uh again I'm willing to to<01:50:07.520><c> to</c><01:50

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of that abuse, I found myself in institutions, jails, and homelessness.
• As a result of that abuse, I found myself in institutions, jails, and homelessness.
• At the worst of his behaviors associated with his addiction, he was homeless in Manchester for three
• He was actually working today at the homeless resource center.
• He was actually working today at the homeless resource center.

Committee: Senate Judiciary