Transcript Highlights:

• the commissioner, the commission is the principal trustee of Hawaii's most vital resource under HRS Chapter
• The commission is the principal trustee of Hawaii's most vital resource under HRS Chapter 174C and our
• The commission is the principal trustee of Hawaii's most vital resource under HRS Chapter 174C and our
• <02:28:03.000> under met the standard requirement under met the standard requirement under chapter
• chapter 343. chapter 343.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 640 for Juanita Rio Colón to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Public testimony and the nominee’s remarks strongly emphasized her water-system management background, Native Hawaiian stewardship values, and representation for Molokai. Committee members praised her qualifications and neighbor-island perspective, and also discussed broader concerns about reforming the Water Commission, including a separate bill to create a more independent authority and reduce politics in water decisions. Colón said she supported the restructuring effort and would serve with integrity and attention to constitutional water rights and climate resilience. The committee then heard GM 639 for Moses Haia III to the same commission. DLNR and OHA testified, and Haia described his long legal career, prior work on the Waihole contested case, and experience with Native Hawaiian rights and water law. Members asked about his ability to serve impartially given his advocacy background; Haia acknowledged that some may perceive a conflict from his prior work but said he did not believe it was a reasonable conflict and would follow the law and balance competing interests. The discussion again returned to the proposed Water Commission restructuring, which Haia said he supported as a way to provide independence and balance. Next, the committee considered GM 649 for Gilbert Coloma to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. DLNR and other testifiers explained that this was a new interstate commission created under the 2024 act, with Hawaii joining six U.S. states to address fisheries issues across state boundaries. Coloma, a commercial fisher from Hilo, said he brought more than 40 years of industry, cultural, and traditional experience and would represent Hawaii’s fishing communities. Members asked about the commission’s structure, meeting rotation, and funding, and were told the state covers dues through special funds. The committee also briefly took up GM 692 for Riley Smith’s reappointment to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported him, while Sierra Club Hui raised concerns about prior decisions affecting Native Hawaiian rights and public trust resources. Smith said he supported more residential uses in East Kapolei if the necessary planning and environmental review changes were made, and he began responding to questions about prior BLNR litigation before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would still be a violation under chapter 169.
• It would still be a violation under chapter 169.
• Um it just wouldn't have chapter 169.
• So when you say Chapter 169, um, to help the public understand what you're talking about.
• This is all within Chapter 169, which are violations like vehicle violations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But what Senate floor amendment number one does is makes a technical change to KRS Chapter 202A.
• And all we're doing with the Senate floor amendment is changing that to Chapter 202A. Mr.
• And all we're doing with the Senate floor amendment is changing that to Chapter 202A. Mr.
• And all we're doing with the Senate floor amendment is changing that to Chapter 202A. Mr.
• And all we're doing with the Senate floor amendment is changing that to Chapter 202A. Mr.

Bills: HB567, HB776, HB2, HB568, HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• , of transfer directly shall be taxable as transfers under this chapter to the extent of the fair market
• /c><01:38:01.840> this which would be taxable under this which would be taxable under this chapter
• transfer<01:38:02.800> directly<01:38:03.760> shall<01:38:04.080> be chapter
• of transfer directly shall be chapter of transfer directly shall be taxable<01:38:04.560> as<
• taxable as transfers under this chapter taxable as transfers under this chapter to<01:38:06.159>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, which passed unanimously. Members then introduced the day’s presentations, including one on the Canton network and another on tokenizing real-world assets, with a focus on how blockchain systems can support regulated financial institutions and asset tokenization. Julie, the director of policy and government affairs at Digital Asset, presented on the Canton network, describing it as a privacy-enabled public blockchain designed for regulated finance. She said tokenization should preserve the same legal and economic rights as the underlying asset, and argued that blockchain-based books and records can shorten settlement times, improve 24/7 trading, and reduce friction in capital markets. She identified three main barriers to institutional adoption of public blockchains: lack of privacy, limited throughput/scalability, and lack of control for compliance purposes such as freezing assets, pausing transactions, and meeting AML/sanctions obligations. She explained Canton’s structure as a public, permissionless network with application-level privacy controls, a global synchronizer, and super validators chosen by vote. She also highlighted current ecosystem participants and use cases, including Broadridge, Circle, and the DTCC’s planned tokenization of U.S. Treasuries on the network. Members and online participants asked about the relationship between tokenized assets and the Clarity Act, tokenized deposits, safeguards for faster settlement, and whether the platform could be used for municipal or property records. Julie said Digital Asset was not taking a position on rewards, but supported clearer statutory definitions because tokenized securities should carry the same rights as the underlying assets and investors need to know whether a token is a true tokenized security or a synthetic/reference token. She said the company is agnostic on whether the cash leg is stablecoins or tokenized deposits, though it expects both to develop. In response to concerns about rapid settlement, she pointed to institution-level permissions and SEC disclosure expectations as safeguards. She also said the technology could be used for other records, including potentially property-related records, if those assets can be tokenized.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think my suggestion, and the agency would suggest, looking at Chapter 230 sometime near Chapter 46,
• would suggest uh looking at uh chapter would suggest uh looking at uh chapter 230 230 230 um<01:
• 30:21.280> sometime<01:30:22.080> uh<01:30:22.719> near<01:30:23.120> chapter
• <01:30:23.760> u<01:30:24.159> near um sometime uh near chapter u near um sometime
• uh near chapter u near section<01:30:24.800> 46<01:30:26.080> which<01:30:26.320> is

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And look under Chapter 1; it would be Senate Bill 419 from, no, Senate Bill 127 from 2023.
• Chapter 127-12 I. Thank you. You're welcome. Seeing no one else. Okay. Thank you, Senator.
• one, it's so it look for under chapter one, it's so it would<04:41:46.400> be<04:41:46.480>
• <04:41:52.240> Chapter Senate Bill 127 from 2023. Chapter Senate Bill 127 from 2023.
• Chapter 127-12<04:41:54.080> I.<04:41:55.440> Thank<04:41:55.680> you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023, the legislature established a reintegration driver's license, which is codified under chapter
• In 2023, the legislature established a reintegration driver's license, which is codified under chapter
• The first element adds a definition of highway purposes to chapter 161.
• <00:51:47.680> It of highway purposes to chapter 161.
• It of highway purposes to chapter 161.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Johnson, Representative Stier, the 62655 S is the mandatory reporting related to vulnerable adults, and chapter
• <00:47:53.200> 260e vulnerable adults and the chapter 260e vulnerable adults and the chapter
• have been working to try to really get rid of some of those low-level stops through a rewrite of Chapter
• the motion and lay over House File 686 for possible inclusion in a public safety budget. rewrite of chapter
• 168 and 169 I think rewrite of chapter 168 and 169 I think we're<01:58:34.719> still<01:58:34.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Stangle to do that, but with the definition chapter 10A is of legislative administrative action.
• 10A<01:31:32.880> is<01:31:33.639> of<01:31:34.639> of with the definition chapter
• 10A is of of with the definition chapter 10A is of of legislative<01:31:35.480> administrative
• <01:32:04.000> a<01:32:04.119> rule<01:32:04.400> under<01:32:04.760> chapter
• <01:32:05.159> 14 amend or repeal a rule under chapter 14 amend or repeal a rule under chapter

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm wondering, Senator Nelson, why we empower the Department so much through chapter 14 and they're going
• this is how we give them more absolute structure than this bill does, rather than just say go in chapter
• we empower the department so much we empower the department so much through<01:30:59.119> chapter
• 14 and they're going to through chapter 14 and they're going to go<01:31:01.480> in<01:31:01.719
• 14 and develop something go in chapter 14 and develop something like<01:31:57.159> this<01:31

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to give you a little bit of background, Chapter 704 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes requires the
• just to give you a little bit of uh just to give you a little bit of background<01:05:58.079> chapter
• > 704<01:05:59.400> of<01:05:59.559> the<01:05:59.680> Hawaii background chapter
• The juvenile proceedings in Kapolei fall under Chapter 571, and a favorable consideration of this bill
• 571 and a favorable chapter 571 and a favorable consideration<01:18:26.040> of<01:18:26.239><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 4000, the Judiciary’s biennium budget bill for FY 2026-2027. Judiciary Director of Policy and Planning Brandon Kimura testified in strong support, outlining operating requests of about $6.17 million in FY 26 and $6.25 million in FY 27, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $9.9 million in capital improvements. He described funding needs for specialty courts, preparations for the Wahiawa District Court, an additional district court judge and staff for Kona, cybersecurity upgrades, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, statewide priority items, and restoration of several essential staff positions. He also said the Judiciary was seeking an additional $2 million for the Children’s Justice Center relocation lump sum because updated estimates had risen to about $8 million. The committee also discussed potential impacts from uncertain federal funding and asked for written follow-up on those risks and on the capital request, including coordination with Budget and Finance. Several organizations and individuals testified in support of the Judiciary budget, including the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi, and legal service providers. Mioko Eto asked for an additional $1 million for civil legal service providers, explaining that the current funding is spread across multiple providers and that the need remains high. David Copper of Legal Aid supported the request, citing statewide demand, 105 staff, 7,100 cases closed in the past year, and 15,000 calls received, while noting that many people seeking help cannot be served because of capacity limits. He also said recent federal funding disruptions and proposed cuts could affect legal services and related programs. Committee members asked about the Criminal Justice Research Institute’s mission; Kimura said its primary statutory role is to build a database focused on pre-trial reporting and data analysis, though it is also working on probation and mental health-related projects. No vote or final action on HB 4000 was taken in the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been specifically discussing using a wildland urban interface to open up Chapter 17 of the fire
• um<02:05:14.400> to<02:05:14.719> open<02:05:14.960> up<02:05:15.159> chapter
• <02:05:15.440> 17<02:05:16.320> of interface um to open up chapter 17 of interface
• um to open up chapter 17 of the<02:05:16.599> fire<02:05:16.960> code<02:05:17.520>
• Chapter 185, which is the Land Fire law, mandates that the Department of Land and Natural Resources'

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held its first hearing of the 2025 session and began with housekeeping on testimony deadlines, hybrid participation rules, time management, and expectations for civility. The chair said testimony posted at least 24 hours in advance would be available to members and the public at the same time, late testimony would still be processed, and decision-making would generally be deferred to later in the day so morning hearings could adjourn before the noon floor session. The first bill heard was HB 673 on emergency management. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrator James Barros testified in opposition, saying the bill could undermine the executive’s unity of command during emergencies and objecting to provisions allowing the legislature to terminate a state of emergency by a two-thirds vote. Members asked about the difference between an emergency order and a state of emergency, whether other states use legislative checks and balances, and whether long-running emergencies such as COVID-19 or homelessness should have clearer end conditions. Barros said the agency, along with the Attorney General’s office and the governor’s office, would review the language and that the issue is setting conditions for when an emergency ends. The committee then heard HB 596, also on emergency management, which would clarify types of events that count as dangers and emergencies. Barros opposed the bill, saying the current list covers known hazards but should remain open-ended for future threats; he cited COVID-19 as an example of an unforeseen event and said the bill could limit flexibility. Members asked whether the list could be expanded, and Barros said the agency would look at that possibility. Testimony included support from the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii and concerns from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii about the bill’s special fund provisions; the committee also corrected testimony that had been submitted for the wrong bill. The final measure discussed was HB 1060 on emergency preparedness and the Community Readiness Center Program. Barros explained the proposal as part of HEMA’s effort to build local readiness centers and community hubs, with an initial target of 10 communities through a federal grant and a longer-term concept of roughly 100 statewide. The Climate Advisory Team supported the bill’s intent but urged that centers be developed with strong community and nonprofit involvement through the HARRP program. The Department of Taxation offered comments on the special fund, and members raised questions about cost, size, use of existing school facilities, public messaging, and equity across communities. Barros said the centers would provide backup communications, power, water, and food for a community group, would not function as general shelters, and would be designed to help communities hunker down and recover after a disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of chapters here in the cities are being organized, some right here in St. Paul.
• FFA chapters, as kids really are taking an interest in where their food comes from.
• 53:33.480> of didn't really mention um FFA a lot of didn't really mention um FFA a lot of chapters
• here in the cities are being chapters here in the cities are being organized<00:53:36.720> some
• as kids really are taking an chapters as kids really are taking an interest<00:53:41.480> in<

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met for an introductory session to begin the new legislative session. Members and staff went around the table introducing themselves and describing their agricultural backgrounds, including farming, livestock, crop production, county government, and related research or staff roles. Chair Paul Anderson emphasized agriculture’s importance to Minnesota’s budget and economy, welcomed new members and staff, and noted that the committee would have a full agenda. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Extension, and the Forever Green initiative on the GREE program (Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer). Testimony described GREE as a state investment created in 2015 to support agricultural productivity and growth through research, education, extension, and technology transfer. Speakers highlighted its broad focus areas, including crop and livestock genetics, soil health, water quality, nutrient management, microbial science, agroecological innovation, and technology stewardship, as well as rapid-response funding for emerging issues such as waterhemp, PRRS, and avian influenza. University witnesses said the program has brought in faculty and extension educators, generated sponsored research awards, and leveraged state funding into additional grants and contracts. They cited a reported roughly 12-to-1 return on investment and said the state has invested about $39 million since 2015. They also noted additions such as a deep winter greenhouse program and a tribal representative on the advisory group. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in Joshua, the third chapter, it talks about when the children crossed into the promised land that

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710, HB4125, HB2951, HB3082, HB4142, HB4106, HB1752, HB3268, HB4440, HJR1067, SB1144, SB1145, SB1146, SB1147, SB1148, SB1156, SB1157, SB1158, SB1159, SB1161, SB1162, SB1163, SB1164, SB1165, SB1166, SB1149, SB1167, HJR1024, SB1174, SB1175, SB1176, HB3419, HB3748, HB4335, HB3057, HB3279, HB4428, HB3420, HB3040, HB4140, HB1638, HB3298, HB4113, HB1082, HB4301, HB3269, HB3587, HB4226, HB4324, HB4339, HB4342, HB3278, HB3996, HB4236, HB4352

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• 545A, with a new chapter, RSA 545B, which is known as the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act.
• <02:29:31.200> 545A chapter 545A chapter 545A with<02:29:33.040> a<02:29:33.280> new
• which<02:29:36.000> is with a new chapter RSA 545B which is with a new chapter RSA 545B which
• It's not an RSA, but it's what they call chapter law.
• And, um, so we certainly do have the right to revoke that chapter law.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is also statutory law in the CTE chapter, so you might want to look at that, where they're allowed
• Um, I know generally when chapter law.
• that this particular paragraph chapter that this particular paragraph sits<00:58:21.599> in.
• Unlike when you look at your chapter 198 in school law dealing with school money and district taxes,
• which deals with school taxes chapter which deals with school taxes where<01:12:17.120> they<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to next call on Katherine Corkery from the Sierra Club New Hampshire chapter.
• I would like to next call on Katherine Corkery from the Sierra Club New Hampshire chapter.
• I would like to next call on Katherine Corkery from the Sierra Club New Hampshire chapter.
• I represent the New Hampshire chapter of the Sierra Club.
• <01:25:03.800> of represent the New Hampshire chapter of represent the New Hampshire chapter

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other issue is Chapter 70, where you're only reimbursed for half of the day, when in fact we really
• Lastly, I'll point out that it only banned suspensions under Chapter 71, Section 37H 3/4, striking the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held its sixth public hearing and took testimony on a large slate of bills, with the chair moving H. 542/S. 341 on family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) child care to the top of the agenda so young constituents would not have to wait. Witnesses from labor, community organizations, and FFN providers strongly supported the bill, saying FFN care fills critical gaps for families working nonstandard hours, especially in low-income, immigrant, and BIPOC communities. Testimony emphasized that FFN providers are currently underpaid, often receive only about $24 per child per day, and should be guaranteed at least the state minimum wage. Witnesses also backed changes to the voucher system to allow families to combine formal and FFN care more flexibly, and they supported creating an FFN advisory council. Committee members asked about the difference between FFN and center-based care, registration requirements, fingerprinting/background checks, EEC’s ongoing study group, and the fiscal impact; witnesses said the current annual cost is about $1.8 million and could rise to about $6 million if all current FFN providers were paid minimum wage, still under 1% of the EEC budget. The committee then closed testimony on that bill. The committee next heard testimony on several preschool and universal pre-K bills, including H. 707 on public preschool facilities, H. 687/S. 339 on universal pre-K and mixed delivery, and related bills such as H. 606, H. 523, H. 618, H. 522, H. 510, and H. 615, many of which were later closed without additional witnesses. A Lowell school official testified that space and facilities funding are major barriers to expanding preschool and that the city has hundreds of children on voucher waitlists. Other witnesses and organizations, including the Early Care and Education Consortium and AFT Massachusetts, supported mixed-delivery universal pre-K and warned that public-school expansion should not undermine community-based providers, whose preschool tuition helps subsidize infant and toddler care. Several witnesses also urged stronger standards for preschool teachers, better staffing ratios, and more integrated special education and support services. The committee accepted written testimony on some bills and closed testimony on the others when no one else came forward. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 541/S. 373, which would ban school exclusion in pre-K through third grade. Advocates from Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Mass Appleseed, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, AFT Massachusetts, and the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee argued that suspensions and expulsions at young ages harm learning, worsen inequities, and contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. They cited data showing disproportionate impacts on Black and Latinx students, students with disabilities, and low-income children, and described personal stories of children whose behavior improved when schools kept them in class and addressed underlying needs. Committee members asked for updated data on the number of students and districts affected, and witnesses said they would provide more detailed written information. After testimony on this and a few other bills, including S. 372, S. 357, and H. 275/S. 133, the committee closed testimony and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm currently the health chair of the end of YCP chapter in town.
• And so there are different chapters of it.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Complex Care Committee meeting focused first on a new Diabetes Caucus launched at the Capitol. Rep. Johnson described the caucus as a forum to educate people about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, genetic risk, early testing, pregnancy-related diabetes, and ways Medicaid policy might improve prevention and lower long-term costs. Members agreed the caucus could intersect with care management, and Carolyn Grandell of CHNCT offered to share information about current diabetes-related care management services at a future meeting. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Alex Rigger of the Office of Health Strategy, who is moving to the Office of Policy and Management. He reviewed Connecticut health care benchmark data, including total health care expenditures, medical spending, and market-by-market trends. He said 2023 to 2024 per-capita spending grew more than 8.5% statewide and 14% in Medicaid, with long-term care accounting for about 46% of Medicaid spending and retail pharmacy also identified as a major cost driver. Members asked about enrollment changes, dual-eligible populations, Medicare Savings Program members, 340B drug pricing, and value-based payment models. Rigger explained that his office tracks alternate payment models and quality benchmarks, but does not separately capture 340B data. Discussion then shifted to Medicare Advantage, dual eligibles, and hospital discharge planning. Members said they want better data on how many Medicaid members are in Medicare Advantage plans and whether those plans shift costs back to Medicaid or affect access to care, especially for complex-care patients. Staff noted DSS does have some Medicare Advantage indicators and that CMS is developing encounter-data rules for states. Kathy Holt and others raised concerns about denials, nursing home stays, and the need to compare Medicaid spending for dual eligibles in Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare. The meeting ended with plans for follow-up data sharing, including Alex Rigger’s slides, the diabetes caucus materials, and a future discussion with DSS and other agencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Angel Bradford Rosenberg, Sierra Club, Delta Chapter, president, not wishing to speak.
• Angel Bradford Rosenberg with Sierra Club Delta Chapter, present, not wishing to speak.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered H.C.R. 89 by Representative Charles Owen, which directs the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to study, with the Louisiana State Museum and the World War II Museum, the feasibility of a museum and trail dedicated to the Louisiana Maneuvers. Owen described the historical significance of the maneuvers and said the proposal would mainly involve markers and a modest museum. The committee moved the resolution favorably to the floor without objection. Members then debated H.R. 179 by Representative Marcel, which would create a study of neighborhood crime prevention and security districts and their effectiveness in reducing crime. Several members raised concerns about the number of study groups and the breadth of a statewide review, while others supported gathering data on crime trends, cameras, and district performance. Marcel said the study was intended to collect information, not mandate changes, and the resolution was moved favorably to the floor. The committee next took up S.B. 228 and S.B. 268 by Senator Duplessis, both related to replacing lead and copper water service lines. S.B. 228 was a constitutional amendment allowing public funds to be used on private property for replacement of lead-based and copper pipes, and S.B. 268 set out the process for municipalities or parishes to implement the program, including notice to homeowners and an inventory/testing process. Members questioned homeowner rights, the seven-day notice period, emergency entry language, contracting, and whether the work would fully address hazards inside homes; Rainwater said the program was narrowly tailored, federally funded through the EPA and LDH, and intended to replace lines from the main to the shutoff valve. Both measures were moved favorably as amended. Finally, the committee approved S.B. 283 by Senator Barrow, creating the Boulevard at Harding Area Special District in Baton Rouge to encourage development in a food desert near Southern University, and moved H.R. 225 by Representative Eccles, which urges study of parish-wide solid waste, debris removal, and disaster resilience services in Ouachita Parish. H.R. 223 by Representative Walters, urging Shreveport to partner on the Southern Soul City Initiative, was also moved favorably. The chair noted it was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session, and members and staff were thanked for their work.