Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Steve Drazkowski, Senate District 20. I live in Mazeppa, southeast Minnesota.
• Senator John Hoffman, Senate District 34. Thank you. And Senator McEwen, Vice Chair, is online.
• >> Senator John Hoffen, Senate District 34.
• Steve Green, Senator for District 2. Andrew Lang, Senate District 16.
• Senator Green. >> Chair, follow up. Senator Green.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they are and— I saw Senator Heintzeman locked in, so Senator, welcome.
• Senator Putnam.
• SENATOR PUTIN.
• Senator, Senator Akey, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Senator, thank you. Mr.

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• Senator Clark and then Senator Nelson. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, and thank you to staff.
• Senator Clark and then discussion? Senator Clark and then Senator<00:26:59.520> Nelson.
• Thanks for being here, Senator Clark and Senator Nelson. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• point, Senator. point, Senator. >> Well,<01:14:45.600> Mr.
• Chair, >> Senator<01:14:46.960> Duskowski, >> Senator Duskowski, >> Senator

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Westlin, no. Senator Koran, yes. Senator Carlson, no. Senator Bahr, yes.
• Senator Boldon, no. Senator Swedinski, no. Senator Lucero, yes. Senator Marty, no.
• Senator Westlin, no. Senator Koran, yes. Senator Carlson, no. Senator Bahr, yes.
• Senator >> Thank you, Senator Balden. Senator Senator<01:05:06.319> Liur.
• Is that your motion, Senator? Senator? Senator?

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Waters, no. >> Senator Apprentice, no. >> Senator Gray, yes. >> Senator Inis, yes. >> Senator
• Senator Inis, yes. Senator Ward, yes. Senator Rashardi, yes. Senator Fenton, yes. Senator Mcu, yes.
• Senator Mcu, yes. Senator Avard, yes. Senator Rooseall, no. Senator Raren, no. Senator Murphy, yes.
• Senator Inis: Yes. Senator Ward: Yes. Senator Rashardy: Yes. Senator Fenton: No. Senator Mcu: Yes.
• This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution would ask the voters if we should amend the New Hampshire

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• Senator Fate is joining the committee, and Senator Hoffman has stepped away from the committee.
• um all of the the members of the Senate um all of the the members of the Senate staff<00:01:24.080
• and Senator Hoffman has the committee and Senator Hoffman has stepped<00:02:27.080> away<00:02
• resolution of that review is unknown. resolution of that review is unknown.
• Senator Utke, you've lent it to this.

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• Senator<00:47:24.480> Pa. Senator Pa. Senator Pa.
• , >> yes. >> Senator Bolden, >> no. >> Senator Clark, >> no. >> Senator Draheim. >> Senator Gruenhagen
• Senator P. >> Senator Putnam, >> no.
• Senator<01:25:18.960> Balden. Senator Balden. Senator Balden.
• Senator >> Thank you, Senator Balden. Senator Clark, >> Thank you, Senator Balden.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Chair recognizes the senator from Chittenden Southeast District, Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale.
• > from Chair recognized the senator from Chair recognized the senator from Chitten<00:08:58.160
• /c> Chitten Southeast District, Senator Rahm Chitten Southeast District, Senator Rahm Hinsdale.
• Chair recognizes the senator from Rutland District, Senator Williams. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Rutland District, Senator Williams. Rutland District, Senator Williams.

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• >> Senator from Bennington. >> Mr.
• are appointed to the Senate Committee of Conference: Senator Perchlik, Senator Lyons, and Senator Westman
• > Senator<00:07:13.759> Perchick,<00:07:14.800> Senator Conference.
• Senator Perchick, Senator Conference.
• Senator Perchick, Senator Lions,<00:07:16.240> Senator<00:07:16.720> Westman.

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Transcript Highlights:

• I'm State Senator Mary Kunesh.
• >> Senator<00:03:48.720> Kun. >> Senator Kun. >> Senator Kun.
• And we miss Senator Farnsworth.
• Thank you, Senator. Next we're going to hear from Senator Umaru Verbeten.
• >> Thank you, Senator. Uh, we're over time. >> Thank you, Senator.

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• Senator Lamal votes aye. Senator McKelie is excused. Senator Aa. Thank you.
• Senator<00:02:49.280> Lamal<00:02:50.560> I. Senator Lamal I. Senator Lamal I.
• Senator Aa. >> Senator McKelie is excused. Senator Aa. >> Thank<00:02:57.680> you.
• Senator McKelby is Senator Lamau I.
• >> Senator<00:08:53.839> Rose. >> Senator Rose. >> Senator Rose.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Fukunaga: I vote yes. Senator Kim: I. Senator Fevella: I.
• So the Senate it's Senate Bill >> Okay.
• That's um Senator Kim. Thank you. That's um Senator Kim.
• Senator Fukunaga, excused. Senator Kim? >> I. Senator Fevella? >> I.
• Next up, Senate Bill 2353. >> Thank you. Next up, Senate Bill 2353.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2693 relating to capital improvement projects for aerospace infrastructure. Members had no questions, and the recommendation to pass the bill with a defective date of July 1, 2050 was adopted unanimously. The committee then deferred decision making on Senate Bill 26980 relating to transportation and Senate Bill 2374 relating to the blue economy until Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room 229, pending additional information. In the joint hearing on Senate Bill 2816 relating to state enterprise zones, agencies and organizations including DBEDT, HTDC, Taxation, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Oceanit, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Queen’s Health System testified in support or submitted written comments. One public testifier urged expanding enterprise zones around the Kakaako/Cancer Center area and combining them with the foreign trade zone to reduce taxes and attract business. A senator questioned whether the enterprise zone program had ever been comprehensively evaluated, noting DBEDT said it had not done a full study in recent years and cited annual report figures including about $221 million in company revenues and $460,000 in foregone state revenue in 2022. The discussion focused on whether the bill would subsidize existing activity or support new economic development, and on the broader policy question of whether enterprise zones should be used to revitalize depressed areas or to target strategic sectors like health care technology. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2900 relating to sports officials. The Department of Education supported the measure, saying the Attorney General is best positioned to represent employees in temporary restraining order matters and that elevating intentional bodily injury of a sports official to a class B felony would improve safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it would escalate conduct already covered by existing assault statutes and go beyond other protected classes. The Department of the Attorney General recommended narrowing the bill by inserting “substantial” before bodily injury in the criminal section and deleting a section that would make the AG’s office act like plaintiff’s counsel in civil matters, suggesting instead that departments adopt policies to help employees obtain TROs without creating an open-ended civil representation role. Several sports and school-related organizations testified in support, and members discussed whether the bill should be narrowed or coordinated with other measures before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dort >> Senator Noi excused. Senator Dort >> no. >> no. >> no.
• Senator Richards Senator Dit is excused. Senator Richards is<00:02:39.280> excused.
• Senator Inouye is excused. Senator Chang? Senator Chang? Hi. Senator Lamasal? I.
• Senator Enoi is excused. Senator Chang votes aye. Senator Lamos votes aye.
• Senate Bill 3219. Senate Bill 3219.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 3322 relating to law enforcement. Chairs recommended adopting amendments from the Department of Law Enforcement that would exempt plainclothes officers from identification requirements, limit conspicuous agency markings to vehicles used in immigration enforcement operations, and allow a plainclothes officer to wear a mask when within eyesight of an unmasked officer from the same agency while performing official duties. Although there was an initial quorum issue, both committees ultimately voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation and advance the bill as amended. The next major item was SB 3333 relating to property tax treatment for certain housing. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from a Maui County real property tax board member and a representative of Nali Maui, who described homeowners in affordable housing being taxed at much higher rates when exemptions were missed or when resale restrictions kept values below market. The committees recommended passing the bill with amendments, including a deferred effective date of April 19, 2042, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also heard SB 2422 on a pro housing score program for counties, SB 2981 on eliminating minimum off-street parking requirements in urban districts, SB 2007 on county land use boundary amendments, SB 3028 on restructuring the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system, SB 3033 on public petitions for review of beach structures, and SB 2434 on electric vehicle infrastructure. SB 2422 drew support with a request for flexibility and an appeals process for counties facing extraordinary circumstances; the chair’s recommendation was to pass it with amendments and note a $200,000 implementation study request, which was adopted. SB 2981 received strong support from housing and transportation advocates and was advanced unamended, while SB 2007 drew opposition from the Sierra Club and discussion about the Land Use Commission’s limited enforcement tools and the number of approved but unbuilt units. SB 3028 received mixed testimony, with support for the marginal-rate change but concerns about earmarking and blanks in the bill, and SB 3033 was supported as an early-warning mechanism for erosion-threatened coastal structures, though OPSD said it should not be the regulatory decision-maker. SB 2434 prompted concern about whether utility capacity can support EV infrastructure goals, with the chair citing a recent report suggesting transmission and distribution constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Senator<00:28:15.840> Decort. Senator Decort. Senator Decort.
• Senator Kuha. Senator Lee is excused. Senator Deort is excused.
• Senator Kuha. Senator Lee is excused. Senator Deort is excused.
• >> Senator<01:04:15.200> Lee. >> Senator Lee. >> Senator Lee.
• Senator DeCoite, aye. Senator Rhoads, aye.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard several bills, beginning with SB 2010, which would authorize impoundment of motor vehicles for certain alleged or committed traffic violations. The Department of Transportation supported the bill, while the Department of the Attorney General asked for clarification in section 4 on who could seek remedies and what remedies would be available. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, citing unclear officer-initiated impound criteria, potential strain on judicial or administrative resources, and concerns about hardship for families and indigent owners; the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill with amendments, saying it should be limited to traffic offenses and could serve as an alternative to fines or imprisonment. The chair then recessed before moving to the next items. The committee next heard SB 2527 on commercial driver licensing, which would require state and county firefighters exempt from CDL requirements to be subject to an alcohol and substance abuse policy equivalent to or stronger than federal DOT standards. DOT, the Department of Human Resources Development, county officials, and the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association all indicated support. SB 2697, which would prohibit driving on roadway shoulders except in limited circumstances, also drew DOT support, with the Attorney General, judiciary, and others submitting comments. SB 2812, requiring driver license applicants to be tested on the dangers larger vehicles pose to pedestrians and bicyclists, was supported by DOT but opposed by the Public Defender, who argued the excessive-speeding portion was too broad for first offenses and that the DUI-related language was unnecessary because DUI relicensing already requires re-examination. SB 291, clarifying that drivers whose licenses were revoked for certain alcohol-related offenses must undergo re-examination before relicensing, received DOT support. The committee then took up SB 3044, which would remove references to pedestrian countdown timers and the requirement that pedestrians begin crossing before the timer starts. DOT opposed the bill, but Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported it, arguing the current rule is confusing and can lead to citations even when pedestrians can safely cross. The Department of Health submitted late comments emphasizing the importance of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and physical activity, and the chair noted the split in testimony. Finally, SB 2995 proposed a zero-emissions rideshare rebate program funded by a rideshare fee and administered by DOT. Earthjustice strongly supported the bill, describing it as a fee-and-rebate structure to help rideshare drivers transition to zero-emissions vehicles. A witness for Tom Yamachika suggested that if the state wants to tax ridesharing, it should amend existing tax law instead of creating a new chapter, but the bill’s supporters said DOT was better suited to administer the rebate program and that similar models exist in California and Washington. The committee also heard SB 3153, which would authorize DOT to designate airport special district zones at airports statewide to improve security and enforcement; DOT’s airports deputy director supported the measure, saying it would clarify jurisdiction and help address trespassing and hazards, and senators asked about boundaries, mapping, and coordination with the Attorney General. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to welcome our Vice Chair, Senator Aimoto, and committee members, Senators Roads and Alphante
• I'd like to welcome our Vice Chair, Senator Aimoto, and committee members, Senators Roads and Alphante
• we have, Senator. we have, Senator. >> Thank<00:32:44.320> you.
• Senator Elefante, aye. Senator Rhoads, aye. Senator Fevella is excused.
• Chang. >> I, Senator Lamos?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered several housing-related measures. On SB 2068, which would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to study how to maximize housing on transit-oriented development and other state and county lands, testimony was mostly supportive from agencies and housing groups, with one opposition witness. In response to questions, OPSD said it was already working on a list of potential parcels but could not yet identify unit counts or a timeline, and estimated about $250,000 would be needed for staffing and contractual support. The committees also heard SB 2227 on rental assistance, which would require HPHA to make monthly rent supplement payments, prioritize certain tenants including kupuna, allow agreements with counties and nonprofits, and create a special fund supported by a transaction fee on recordings. HPHA supported the bill, and the Department of the Attorney General said it recommended amending the measure to describe the fee as a tax. Additional testimony included support from elder and community organizations and one opposition witness. For SB 2061, relating to residential condominiums and the 99-year leasehold program, HCDA and the project developer testified in support of amendments intended to preserve owner-occupant requirements while making the project more marketable and financially feasible. Members focused heavily on parking, affordability, and financing. HCDA and the developer said the parking stalls would be unbundled from the units, that the project would be a 99-year leasehold with 60% of units reserved for buyers at or below 140% AMI and 40% market-rate, and that the state’s $15 million equity contribution would cover only part of the parking garage and commercial component. The hearing then moved on to SB 3327, relating to HCDA and complete communities, but the transcript cuts off before that measure was fully discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Har votes I. Senator Khali is excused. Senator Deort. The measure is adopted as amended.
• Senate draft 1 with amendments. Senate draft 1 with amendments.
• Senator Khali is Senator Har votes I.
• Senator Deort. The measure is excused. Senator Deort.
• Senator Haro: aye. Senator Kole: aye. Senator Zor: aye. Chair recommendation is adopted. Thank you.

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Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Department of Hawaiian Home Lands measures. SB 2635 would appropriate funds for DHHL land development, land purchases, and mortgage or rental subsidies to address the wait list; DHHL and five supporters testified in favor, and the committee later recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, with the measure adopted as amended. SB 2924 would authorize funding for a capital improvement project for the Kaneili Community Hall, access road, and parking lot; DHHL stood on testimony in support, Randall Ao and another online testifier spoke in favor, and the committee later amended the bill to shift the funding structure from general obligation bonds to general funds before passing it. SB 3127 would raise the state liability cap for DHHL-related borrowing and guaranteed loans from $100 million to $500 million; DHHL testified, no other testimony was offered, and the committee passed it with amendments, including a date defect. The committee also heard SB 3248, which establishes labor requirements for Aleha Products. No testifier from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Board was present, and there was no additional testimony or questions during the hearing. During decision-making, the chair noted there was both support and some opposition but recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously. The meeting concluded after all three decision-making votes were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Butler here. Senator Kley, Senator Chestine here. Senator Coleman here.
• Senator Figures here. Senator Gaban. Senator Hatcher here. Senator Hovie here. Senator Kelly here.
• Senator Butler here. Senator Cornley. Senator Chestine. Hi. Senator Coleman. Hi. Senator Figures.
• Senator Gab. Senator Hatcher. Hi. Senator Hovie. Hi. Senator Kelly. Hi. Senator Melson. Hi.
• Senator Roberts. Senator Sessions. Hi. Senator Woods. Hi. Senator Weaver. Hi. Senator Bell.

Bills: HB139, HB220, SB274, SB282, SB277

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Allen, Senator Carley, Senator Figures, Senator Dean, Senator Hatcher, Senator Jones, Senator
• Price, Senator Sessions, Senator Shelnut, Senator Singleton, Senator Smitherman, Senator Stuts, Senator
• Senator Dean, Senator Hatcher, Senator Jones, Senator Price here, Senator Sessions here, Senator Shelnut
• , Senator Singleton, Senator Smitherman here, Senator Stuts, Senator Williams, Senator Woods, Senator
• Senator Smitherman, Senator Stuts, Senator Williams, Senator Woods, Senator Wagner, Senator Weaver.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:07:14.800> Abler. Senator Abler. Senator Abler. >> Hi<00:07:17.039> Mr.
• I'm going to go to Senator Abeler, then Senator Gruenhagen on this, and then Senator Erin Maye Quade
• Senator or Senator >> Is it Yeah.
• >> Senator, >> Senator, >> Senator, >> thank<01:18:37.679> you.
• Um >> Senator Rus and Senator McQuade.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Davis >> Senator Dames, please.
• Senator<01:13:17.760> Westerm, Senator Westerm, Senator Westerm, >> Mr.<01:13:20.159>
• Senate file 3584. Senate file 3584.
• >> Senator<01:47:36.080> Pum. >> Senator Pum. >> Senator Pum.
• Senator Putnham. adopted. Senator Putnham.

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