Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:02:17.119><c> um</c><02:02:17.679><c> how</c><02:02:17.920><c> did</c><02:02:18.159><c> you</
• &gt;&gt; So<02:02:20.080><c> my</c><02:02:20.320><c> understanding</c><02:02:20.639><c> is</c><02:02:
• <02:02:22.960><c> already</c><02:02:23.119><c> have</c><02:02:23.360><c> possession</c><02:02:23.679>
• ><c> body</c><02:02:24.159><c> so</c><02:02:24.320><c> it's</c><02:02:24.480><c> not</c><02:02:24.560
• </c><02:02:31.760><c> to</c><02:02:31.840><c> be</c><02:02:32.000><c> kind</c><02:02:32.159><c> of</c

Bills: HB1697 , HB1678 , HB1679 , HB2282 , HB1940 , HB1671 , HB1481 , HB2015 , HB2207 , HB2486

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1697, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions. The DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it recognizes braiding as within the scope of cosmetology practice but warned that a broad exemption could create consumer protection gaps, especially around sanitation training, tool use, and enforcement. Supporters from the Institute for Justice and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued the current licensing regime is overly burdensome and unrelated to braiding, citing the 1,250-hour training requirement, high tuition costs, barriers for low-income entrepreneurs, and the fact that many other states already exempt braiders. Committee members asked whether a standalone sanitation course or similar training could address the board’s concerns, and the board said it would bring that idea back for discussion. The committee also noted 16 written testimonies in support and 2 in opposition. The committee then took up HB 1678, relating to condominium and planned community association elections using cumulative voting. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, said the bill would clarify that cumulative voting applies to all candidates, including write-ins, and would help resolve confusion in association elections. One testifier urged the committee to remove proxy voting, calling it an abuse of power in some associations, while another asked whether cumulative voting and proxies could be manipulated to stack votes. In response, the parliamentarian explained that cumulative voting and proxy voting are different, that proxies simply allow someone to vote on another’s behalf, and that existing deadlines and counting procedures reduce opportunities for abuse. Testimony also emphasized that electronic or mail voting can be secure and efficient, and that the bill would make the process clearer and more democratic. Finally, the committee heard testimony on HB 1679, which would clarify an association board’s authority over electronic meetings, electronic voting, voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Supporters said the measure would clean up statutory language, make electronic voting optional, and fix problems created by a 2024 change that made written-consent timing rules difficult to use for association actions. They also said the bill would clarify that proxies are only used at meetings, not for actions taken without a meeting. One opponent argued the bill needs further amendment because electronic voting is not well defined and could be abused, and questioned the neutrality of parliamentarians testifying on condominium bills. No votes were taken on any of the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> also</c><00:02:09.399><c> hear</c><00:02:09.759><c> HB</c><00:02:10.440><c> 708</c><00:02:11.160
• <02:00:16.960><c> uh</c><02:00:17.159><c> it's</c><02:00:17.320><c> called</c><02:00:17.520><c> the</
• ><c> under</c><02:00:30.560><c> the</c><02:00:30.719><c> jurisdiction</c><02:00:31.320><c> of</c><02:
• <02:01:11.000><c> this</c><02:01:11.599><c> but</c><02:01:12.599><c> um</c><02:01:13.239><c> if</c><02
• ><02:03:23.679><c> in</c><02:03:23.840><c> a</c><02:03:24.000><c> lot</c><02:03:24.719><c> more</c><02

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:03.640><c> rooftop</c><01:02:04.040><c> solar</c><01:02:04.760><c> that</c><01:02:04.880><c> is</
• And<01:02:10.560><c> you</c><01:02:10.640><c> had</c><01:02:10.880><c> linemen,</c><01:02:11.240><c>
• 02:12.600><c> on</c><01:02:12.720><c> hot</c><01:02:13.000><c> lines</c><01:02:13.520><c> even</c><01
• ><c> when</c><01:02:21.360><c> you</c><01:02:21.480><c> have</c><01:02:21.640><c> an</c><01:02:21.720
• /c><01:02:27.320><c> guarantee</c><01:02:27.880><c> that</c><01:02:28.080><c> those</c><01:02:28.280>

Bills: SF0095 , SF0107 , SF0112

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> bit</c><00:02:14.519><c> of</c><00:02:14.640><c> your</c><00:02:14.840><c> time</c><00:02:15.080
• um we have Waste Management boards um we have specific<00:02:23.000><c> Statute</c><00:02:24.000><c>
• the 109 board because we<00:02:31.000><c> have</c><00:02:31.239><c> specific</c><00:02:31.760><c> statute
• </c><00:02:32.360><c> that</c><00:02:32.920><c> that</c> we have specific statute that that we have specific
• statute that that um<00:02:35.040><c> that</c><00:02:35.239><c> directs</c><00:02:36.040><c> our</c>

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 88, which was described as a short bill to clarify procedures for Waste Management boards, including term limits, appointments, and making sure consolidated governments actively recruit community members and make openings easier to find. The sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve confusion about members staying on after terms expire. The bill received no opposition, passed the committee unanimously, and was reported favorably for the floor. The committee then took up House Bill 346, as amended by a committee substitute. The sponsor explained that the bill responds to a dispute over air emission fees, especially for emergency generators and backup generators used for worker safety and limited non-emergency testing. The bill would exempt emergency generators and backup generators operating 100 hours or less for maintenance/testing from fees, while also removing an existing 4,000-ton cap so the per-ton fee would drop for most permitted sources. Members discussed the possible impact on utilities and ratepayers, with concerns raised that costs could be passed through to consumers and affect coal-dependent areas. The sponsor and another member argued the change would generally reduce fees for most sources and incentivize emissions reductions; the cabinet was described as neutral, and the affected utilities were identified as TVA, LG&E, East Kentucky Power, and Big Rivers, with only TVA having raised comments. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation, though one member voted no and several members explained yes votes while expressing ongoing concerns about future rate impacts. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed broader concerns about utility surcharges and the need to monitor the effects of legislation on ratepayers, but those comments were not part of the bill under consideration. The chair noted that future meetings may include more bills and could start earlier if needed, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:29.760><c> statute,</c><01:02:30.240><c> right,</c><01:02:30.480><c> of</c><01:02:30.720><c> which
• which is contrary to what the<01:02:53.119><c> statute</c><01:02:53.520><c> is</c><01:02:53.680><c> saying
• </c><01:02:54.160><c> So,</c><01:02:54.319><c> we're</c> the statute is saying.
• :39.040><c> the</c><02:11:39.280><c> statute</c><02:11:40.480><c> 30</c><02:11:40.960><c> 30</c><02:11
• this kind of asked backwards and<02:12:51.840><c> changing</c><02:12:53.119><c> statute</c><02:12:53.920

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So So So would<01:02:02.559><c> we</c><01:02:04.000><c> then</c><01:02:04.799><c> take</c><01:02:05.119
• ><c> this</c><01:02:05.839><c> and</c><01:02:06.160><c> try</c><01:02:06.319><c> to</c><01:02:06.480>
• ><c> to</c><01:02:06.960><c> the</c><01:02:07.119><c> Senate</c><01:02:08.319><c> and</c><01:02:08.559
• /c><03:02:56.319><c> the</c> order to take care of that in the order to take care of that in the statutes
• <03:02:58.240><c> recognize</c> statutes.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• but is<01:02:11.440><c> certainly</c><01:02:11.680><c> one</c><01:02:11.839><c> of</c><01:02:11.920>
• </c><01:02:20.640><c> in</c><01:02:20.799><c> the</c><01:02:21.040><c> in</c><01:02:21.200><c> the</c
• </c><01:02:27.359><c> We</c><01:02:27.520><c> looked</c><01:02:27.760><c> at</c><01:02:28.000><c> 35<
• </c><01:02:30.559><c> and</c><01:02:30.720><c> gray</c><01:02:30.880><c> fox</c><01:02:31.200><c> and
• c> We</c><01:02:32.240><c> found</c><01:02:32.480><c> these</c><01:02:33.280><c> uh</c><01:02:33.599>

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.119><c> of</c><01:02:00.279><c> work</c><01:02:00.480><c> on</c><01:02:01.079><c> there</c><01:02
• are<01:02:18.319><c> attorneys</c><01:02:19.000><c> that</c><01:02:19.599><c> um</c><01:02:20.039><c>
• ><c> of</c><01:02:21.440><c> the</c><01:02:21.559><c> law</c><01:02:21.920><c> only</c><01:02:22.319>
• c> of</c><01:02:22.920><c> the</c><01:02:23.440><c> law</c><01:02:24.440><c> um</c><01:02:24.839><c>
• ><c> Dr</c><01:02:26.200><c> Roy</c><01:02:26.520><c> did</c><01:02:26.680><c> not</c><01:02:26.839><

Summary: The subcommittee met on House Bill 553, which concerns the definitions of child abuse and neglect in RSA 169-C, including psychological maltreatment and the rebuttable presumption of harm. The chair and members emphasized that the bill is intended to clarify definitions rather than create punishments, and they discussed concerns that had arisen after the bill’s earlier drafting. Representative Eimon stated his view that the bill is constitutional, citing case law, and members noted that amendment 114 would restore language refined by the prior study committee and address trauma-informed wording, especially around substance use disorder and newborns. A major portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill could be read to treat ordinary parental discipline or disagreements with a child—such as grounding, taking away car keys or a phone, or refusing gender-affirming care—as abuse or neglect. DCF Deputy Director Jen Ross explained that screeners look at the nature of the allegation and whether the parent’s conduct is likely to cause serious psychological or emotional harm; she said routine discipline or prudent parenting would not be screened in, while persistent ridiculing, terrorizing, bullying, isolating, threats, or similar conduct could qualify. She also said that denial of gender-affirming care, by itself, would not be treated as neglect, but the agency would consider the full context and any resulting harm or need for mental health care. DCF General Counsel Susan Larby added that the legislature’s earlier definition of psychological maltreatment and related policy already focus on pervasive emotionally abusive behavior, and that the bill is meant to make the statute more understandable and transparent, not to change the core neglect standard. She and other speakers said the goal is to identify serious harm and provide services, not to remove children for ordinary parental decisions. Lisa Massio of the Office of the Child Advocate said the bill and related placement language are intended to preserve family unity and fill gaps where courts have interpreted neglect too narrowly or inconsistently. Members also discussed a proposed concise analysis from Representative Maral and asked about CPSW qualifications and training; DCF said staff generally have backgrounds in human services, social work, psychology, or education and receive a 12-week Core Academy on policy, law, investigations, and family engagement. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and members indicated they wanted to continue refining the amendment before sending anything to the Office of Legislative Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and<01:02:22.319><c> so</c><01:02:23.040><c> uh</c><01:02:23.200><c> decisions</c><01:02:23.760><c
• ><c> District</c><01:02:26.079><c> Court</c><01:02:26.400><c> for</c><01:02:26.559><c> the</c><01:02:
• 02:28.880><c> second</c><01:02:29.520><c> you</c><01:02:29.599><c> know</c><01:02:29.839><c> the</c>
• </c><01:02:30.640><c> is</c><01:02:30.880><c> in</c><01:02:31.119><c> the</c><01:02:31.359><c> second
• never</c><01:02:43.440><c> be</c><01:02:43.680><c> done</c><01:02:43.920><c> and</c><01:02:44.079><c>

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met to consider eight bills, beginning with HB 443 on the terms of appointment for members of the Higher Education Commission. Department of Education Director Steve Applebee explained that the commission supported a language change to address a holdover issue, but members raised concerns that the bill did not solve the problem of inactive members and might not address the broader question of whether the commission should continue to exist. The committee agreed to retain HB 443 for further work and voted 18-0 to do so. The committee then voted on HB 137, which would allocate excess statewide education property tax funds for local school and municipal purposes. Supporters of ITL argued that using the statewide property tax to reduce the state’s school funding obligation could create a slippery slope and shift more burden to property taxpayers. The committee voted 15-3 to ITL the bill, with a minority report to be written. HB 237, which would prohibit the use of special education and differentiated aid funds on students not receiving special education services, was also ITL’d after members said federal law already governs how IDEA-related funds may be used and that the bill was unnecessary. That motion passed 16-0, with some members not voting because they were out for medical reasons. The committee next advanced HB 354, creating alternative certification pathways for career and technical education instructors. Members said the bill could help recruit qualified tradespeople and retirees to teach in CTE programs, and it was approved 18-0 and placed on the consent calendar. HB 491, establishing a committee to study alternative public education funding methods and reduce reliance on local property taxes, was retained for further study after members said the committee or a subcommittee could continue the work over the year; it passed 18-0. HB 656, concerning local school districts’ authority to accept federal grants, was also retained after discussion focused on transparency, grant conditions, and the need to avoid delays in services; it passed 18-0. The committee then moved on to HB 729, an appropriation for an attorney to recodify education laws, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're<00:02:00.719><c> a</c><00:02:00.880><c> business</c><00:02:01.119><c> and</c><00:02:01.280>
• Um, and<00:02:07.600><c> then</c><00:02:07.759><c> we'll</c><00:02:08.080><c> walk</c><00:02:08.239><
• </c><00:02:09.840><c> is</c><00:02:10.160><c> that</c><00:02:11.039><c> it</c><00:02:11.360><c> does<
• .<00:02:17.280><c> That's</c><00:02:17.520><c> key</c><00:02:17.680><c> for</c><00:02:17.840><c> the<
• </c> that statute. that statute.

Bills: HB0028 , HB0080

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• First up we have docket number 02-0701, the Idaho Hop Growers Commission. Mr.
• Representative, Chair, then I move we adopt docket number 02-0701-2501. Motion.
• We were doing the best we can to implement the statute at that time.
• We were doing the best we can to implement the statute at that time.
• I would move that we approve docket 02-0108-2501.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:33.599><c> of</c><02:02:33.760><c> a</c><02:02:34.000><c> change</c><02:02:34.400><c> in</c><02:02
• RSA years ago uh arrived at a statute RSA 716<02:31:40.560><c> for</c><02:31:40.800><c> tax</c><02:31
• Um and that's how<02:59:12.160><c> the</c><02:59:12.399><c> statute</c><02:59:12.720><c> has</c><02:59
• :12.960><c> been</c><02:59:13.120><c> written</c><02:59:13.439><c> for</c> how the statute has been written
• for how the statute has been written for decades.<02:59:14.880><c> So</c><02:59:15.200><c> um</c><02

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:04.240><c> The</c><00:02:04.479><c> last</c><00:02:04.719><c> measure</c><00:02:04.960><c>
• > do</c><00:02:16.640><c> is</c><00:02:16.720><c> amend</c><00:02:17.040><c> the</c><00:02:17.200><c>
• <00:02:22.560><c> of</c><00:02:22.800><c> documents</c><00:02:23.760><c> of</c><00:02:24.080><c> the<
• We're just<00:02:32.879><c> going</c><00:02:32.959><c> to</c><00:02:33.120><c> add</c><00:02:33.280><
• c> on,</c><00:02:33.519><c> as</c><00:02:33.680><c> I</c><00:02:33.840><c> mentioned</c><00:02:34.080

Bills: SB3275 , SB3105

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection reconsidered two condominium bills and adopted recommendations to pass both with amendments. For SB 2433, members approved amendments clarifying that condominium unit owners’ interests are to be recognized and protected in educational and related programs by the Real Estate Commission and DCCA, while making technical changes and changing the effective date. For SB 2838, the committee replaced the bill’s broader substantive language with a narrower requirement that associations provide electronic copies of specified documents, including master leases, reserve studies, audited financial statements, contracts, leases, and other agreements, along with technical changes and an amended effective date. Both measures were adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator McKelvey excused. The committee then heard SB 2710 on animal issues, which would define and regulate dog breeders, set care standards, create county licensing authority, require records, and establish an animal abuser registry and related penalties. Testimony was mixed: the Public Defender and the American Kennel Club opposed the bill, arguing for stronger enforcement of existing laws rather than harsher penalties and warning that the bill would burden responsible breeders; the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill’s breeder regulation and registry provisions but urged removal of the hoarding section; and the committee noted 26 written testimonies in support, 14 in opposition, and four comments. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 2710 with amendments that blanked the license fee, deleted the animal abuser registry and shelter/pet store/breeder compliance checks, struck the hoarding provisions and proposed criminal penalty changes, and made technical changes with a deferred effective date. The committee also heard SB 2209 on rental discrimination, which would allow attorney’s fees to a prevailing party in source-of-income discrimination cases, and SB 2884, which would create a nonrefundable income tax credit for wind-resistant retrofits or hurricane shelters. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission supported SB 2209, and the committee later passed it with a deferred effective date. SB 2884 drew support from DCCA’s Insurance Division, the Department of Taxation, HEMA, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and a public witness who urged hurricane preparedness; it was passed with the Department of Taxation’s proposed amendments and a deferred effective date. Finally, the committee heard SB 2922 on cooperative associations, which would create a general cooperative associations framework. DCCA offered comments, while the Hawaii Co-op Hui, Purple Maya Foundation, Enliven Cooperative, and Hawaii Farmers Union supported the measure and argued that current law is too limited for worker, producer, and multi-stakeholder co-ops. After discussion about using the existing chapter 421C structure rather than creating a new regulatory scheme, the committee passed SB 2922 with amendments adopting changes proposed in testimony from the Hawaii Farmers Union and deferred the effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• oversee of the<01:02:58.000><c> statute</c><01:02:58.880><c> here's</c><01:02:59.200><c> the</c><01:
• 02:59.440><c> key</c><01:02:59.720><c> thing</c><01:03:00.720><c> and</c> the statute here's the key
• :02:25.199><c> that</c><02:02:25.560><c> money</c><02:02:26.800><c> uh</c><02:02:27.119><c> if</c><02
• ><02:02:28.840><c> made</c><02:02:29.840><c> and</c><02:02:30.320><c> the</c><02:02:30.480><c> towns<
• </c><02:02:36.159><c> That's</c><02:02:36.480><c> concerning</c><02:02:36.800><c> to</c><02:02:36.960

Summary: The subcommittee continued work on Senate Bill 297 and a new amendment dealing with pooled risk management programs and whether they should be regulated under the insurance department. Lisa Duket, executive director of SchoolCare, testified at length that the draft language could allow co-mingling of public entity risk funds, could trigger producer-licensing requirements for staff who are not actually brokers, and may not fit public entity risk pools because they are not insurance companies. She also raised concerns about the March 1 reporting deadline, the proposed uniform accounting language, aggregate excess insurance, examination costs being charged to the program, and confidentiality provisions that she argued may conflict with right-to-know principles for public entities. She urged the committee to slow down and consider a study committee or more time for review, saying the regulated entities were not adequately involved in drafting the proposal. Chairman Hunt and the department responded that the bill is intended to create a licensure-based regulatory model, similar to other licensed industries, and that the pooled risk management program would be exempt from producer licensing while anyone else selling or negotiating such coverage would need a producer license. The department said failure to comply would be handled through an administrative licensing process, with denial or nonrenewal of a license and appeal through the department process. On the reporting deadline, the department said March 1 is a standard filing date used for financial analysis and that the filing can be the most recent annual report, regardless of fiscal year end. They also explained that the confidentiality language was taken from existing RSA 5B, that aggregate excess insurance was included as a solvency measure, and that the draft was intended to preserve familiar language while adapting it for pooled risk programs. The discussion did not include a final vote or formal action on the bill in the portion provided. The committee appeared to be compiling follow-up questions for the insurance department and considering whether additional revisions or a slower process would be needed before moving the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um but our able<00:02:47.360><c> vice</c><00:02:47.680><c> chair</c><00:02:48.599><c> slash</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:52.560><c> sheen</c><00:02:53.080><c> will</c><00:02:54.080><c> take</c><00:02:54.400><c>
• Um<00:02:57.360><c> the</c><00:02:57.680><c> plan</c><00:02:58.000><c> is</c><00:02:58.239><c> still<
• /c><00:02:58.560><c> the</c><00:02:58.879><c> plan</c><00:02:59.360><c> as</c><00:02:59.680><c> it</c
• 02:40.799><c> time,</c><01:02:41.200><c> had</c><01:02:41.680><c> had</c><01:02:42.000><c> wealth.

Summary: The Legislative Administration Committee opened with Senate Bill 197, which would remove the Department of Health and Human Services commissioner’s supervisory role over the legislative facilities committee nurse and instead place the nurse under the Board of Nursing’s scope of practice. The sponsor’s aide and DHHS legislative director explained that the change updates outdated language last amended in 1995, aligns the statute with current practice, and was reviewed with legislative staff and nursing regulators, who were said to be comfortable with the proposal. Members asked why the change was needed and whether the commissioner had actually been supervising; the response was that the language no longer reflected how the position functioned. The chair said the bill might still be a simple consent item, but additional modifications were being discussed, so the hearing was closed with no vote taken at that time. The committee then heard Senate Bill 186, authorizing the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and display a portrait of former Senator Jeb Bradley in the State House. The sponsor’s aide described Bradley’s legislative and congressional service and urged the committee to move the bill ought to pass. Members asked practical questions about whether the portrait was completed, its size, and where it would be hung. The witness said the portrait was not yet completed and that size and placement had not been determined, though the committee was told the historical committee would decide placement. A committee member noted that portrait sizes and locations are already being reviewed because of space concerns, and the hearing ended without a vote. A work session followed on the portrait bills, with the chair using them as a vehicle to discuss broader problems in the statutes governing portraits and the historical committee. He said the committee had gathered information from other states and suggested possible policy ideas such as portrait moratoriums, waiting periods after death, size limits, and clearer placement rules. Members discussed the need to update the RSAs and better define the historical committee’s authority. The committee did not take final action during the work session, but the discussion indicated that the portrait bills may be held while broader statutory revisions are considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• :08:34.079><c> I</c><02:08:34.239><c> wouldn't</c><02:08:34.400><c> see</c> statute?
• loitering<02:15:00.320><c> statute</c><02:15:01.119><c> in</c><02:15:01.440><c> New</c><02:15:01.599
• <c> um</c><02:19:11.840><c> having</c><02:19:12.240><c> a</c><02:19:12.639><c> statute</c><02:19:13.120
• a of um having a statute that requires a provision<02:19:15.519><c> of</c><02:19:16.800><c> parole</
• ><02:40:56.800><c> statute</c> the criminal trespass statute the criminal trespass statute uh<02:40:58.560

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll sign<00:02:00.560><c> off</c><00:02:00.719><c> and</c><00:02:01.040><c> go</c><00:02:01.200><
• c> back</c><00:02:01.280><c> to</c><00:02:01.439><c> you,</c><00:02:01.600><c> Miss</c><00:02:01.759>
• 02:28:51.040><c> it</c><02:28:51.200><c> to</c><02:28:51.280><c> our</c><02:28:51.439><c> other</c><02
• </c><02:31:01.359><c> I</c><02:31:01.439><c> I</c><02:31:01.760><c> do</c><02:31:02.080><c> the</c><02
• Uh<02:56:53.279><c> so</c><02:56:53.439><c> you</c><02:56:53.600><c> and</c><02:56:53.760><c> I</c><02

Committee: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> yes</c> system yes system yes so<02:02:04.599><c> why</c><02:02:04.920><c> why</c><02:02:05.079>
• <c> I</c><02:02:05.159><c> don't</c><02:02:05.639><c> understand</c><02:02:06.280><c> how</c><02:02:07.280
• :02:07.800><c> are</c><02:02:07.920><c> with</c><02:02:08.079><c> the</c><02:02:08.280><c> system</c>
• :02:56.719><c> should</c><02:02:56.920><c> be</c><02:02:57.079><c> sister</c><02:02:57.599><c> Manoa<
• says or the the<02:45:03.600><c> statute</c><02:45:04.040><c> said</c><02:45:04.680><c> that</c><02:

Transcript Highlights:

• We did not include Minnesota in there.
• If you cross into Minnesota, you drive better because you get a ticket.
• Now, a lot of them were the 85%ers who have to by statute.
• And so, in the case of Minnesota, they use interlocks.
• And so in the case of Minnesota, they use interlocks.

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:07.719><c> the</c><00:02:08.080><c> committee</c><00:02:09.080><c> I</c><00:02:09.200><c> am</c><
• excuse me I apologize<00:02:13.959><c> I</c><00:02:14.080><c> was</c><00:02:14.200><c> just</c><00:02
• c><00:02:17.239><c> I'll</c><00:02:17.400><c> be</c><00:02:17.879><c> very</c> here<00:02:21.920><c>
• /c><00:02:24.760><c> it</c><00:02:24.920><c> up</c><00:02:25.319><c> so</c><00:02:25.800><c> thank</c
• > you<00:02:29.239><c> okay</c><00:02:29.720><c> uh</c> yeah<00:02:32.360><c> my</c><00:02:32.640><c>

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several insurance and condominium-related bills. SB 1137 would require insurers to notify policyholders of approved rate changes within 30 days and at least 30 days before the effective date. The Insurance Division supported the bill, while testimony focused on condominium master policies and whether the notice period would be enough for associations to respond to rate increases. The division said the bill would mainly affect admitted carriers, not surplus lines insurers that write many condominium master policies, and warned against limiting the nonadmitted market. SB 293, requiring sellers to disclose when USPS cannot deliver mail or packages to a residential property, was also heard with HAAI Realtors commenting. SB 752 would extend notice periods for cancellation or nonrenewal of property-casualty policies; the Attorney General’s Office raised concerns about contractual impairment and retroactive application. The committee also heard SB 575, which would allow authorized insurers to offer building and hurricane damage coverage for condominium buildings at a lower rate than prior surplus lines coverage. The Insurance Division stood on written testimony, and a condominium owner urged amendments to require a membership vote before such coverage changes, citing concerns about condominium self-governance. SP 1046 would require managing agents to notify unit owners and the Real Estate Commission when a condominium association fails budget and reserve reporting requirements. The Real Estate Commission said the bill was administratively workable as drafted but noted ambiguity over who counts as the “managing agent”; several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it could disrupt the principal-agent relationship and impose legal judgment on nonlawyers, while others supported it. SP 150, dealing with captive insurance companies seeking exemption from examinations, drew the most detailed discussion. The Captive Insurance Council supported the bill as a way to reduce duplicative oversight and improve Hawaii’s competitiveness, while the Insurance Division opposed it as drafted, citing concerns about broad commissioner discretion, possible missed issues between exams, staffing shortages, and the need to preserve oversight. A committee member asked about a possible middle ground, including a shorter exemption period or limiting the bill to self-attestation companies; the division said it would need more information and that annual filings and approval requirements would still provide oversight. The committee also heard SP 212, which would require at least two Real Estate Commission members to be licensed engineers or architects; testimony included support and a concern about conflicts of interest among people who serve in multiple roles in the condominium and real estate sectors. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved from one measure to the next after testimony and questions.