Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, thank you so much for your time.
• Senator, thank you so much for your time.
• Senator, thank you so much for your time.
• Senator, thank you so much for your time.
• Absolutely. this world Senator thank you so much for this world Senator thank you so much for your<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First bill up is Senate File 737. Senator Nelson is the chief author.
• Senator Nelson, Senate File 737 is laid on the table.
• All right, Senate File 505, Senator Mohammad...
• Senator Seeberger moves adoption of the A1 amendment to Senate File 505.
• I’m kidding, Senator K.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] The Senate will come to order. Senator Murphy: Good morning, Mr. President.
• I impose a call of the Senate. The Senate is now under call. The Senate is now under call.
• Without objection, the following Senators will be excused from today's session: Senator Mohamed, Senator
• <00:09:02.040> any Senator Miller and Senator dorick any Senator Miller and Senator dorick
• Senate Senate interest<00:09:12.920> CNN<00:09:13.519> Senator<00:09:13.880> Murphy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm now joined by the ranking minority member of the Education Finance Committee, Republican Senator
• Senator, welcome to Senate Spotlight. Yeah, thank you for having me. Absolutely.
• And in a recent meeting, Senator Lucero said, you know, there are some barriers in the current system
• um and in a recent meeting Senator um and in a recent meeting Senator Lucero<00:04:24.120> said
• Senator, any final thoughts on this topic?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Matthews I do have Senator Senator Matthews I do have Senator grunhagen<00:31:12.080>
• I have Senator Green, Senator Dibble, Senator Rarick. Senator Matthews, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Senator Matthews members we have Senator Senator Matthews members we have Senator green<00:53:23.920
• <01:02:44.000> rck Senator Dibble and then Senator rck Senator Dibble and then Senator rck
• We have Senator Gruenhagen, then Senator Jang, and I see Senator Green.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the following members will be participating remotely
• in today's hearing: Senator McEwen from Duluth, Senator Her from St.
• So Senator Johnson Stewart moves that Senate File 1360 be recommended to pass and referred to the Senate
• Thank you, Senator Pratt. Senate File 1158. Welcome, Senator How.
• Senator Jasinski, I have Senator Jasinski ahead of you and Senator Nelson. Okay, cool, thank you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] I'm on Senate time.
• We got Senator Gruenhagen and Senator Fateh, Senator AER, so there’s going to be a list.
• Um, Senator Fate, and then Senator Abeler. Um, Senator Fate, and then Senator Abeler.
• fair I think so um Senator fata and then<01:01:37.359> Senator then Senator then Senator abler
• Thank you, Senator Abeler. Thank you, Senator Abeler.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That will also be followed by Senate File 1325 from Senator Cek, and Senate File 775 from Senator Putnam
• , and Senate File 1335 from Senator Pappas, Senate File 1145 from Senator Muhammad, and Senate Files
• Senate File 1325 from Senator Cek, and Senate File 775 from Senator Putnam, and Senate File 1335 from
• Senator Champion, Senator Pha, Senator Housley, and Senator Gustafson.
• Senator Senator dram Senator Gerson Senator Senator dram Senator Gerson Senator Nelson<01:53:45.840

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE EMERGENCY RULE CAN BE IDENTICAL TO THE RULE ADOPTED AND SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION.
• >> SENATOR BERNARD. >> YES >> SENATOR GAETZ? SENATOR LEEK? SENATOR POLSKY? SENATOR SMITH?
• >> YES >> SENATOR YARBOROUGH? SENATOR GRALL? REPRESENTATIVE CONERLY?
• Gaetz: YES. >> SENATOR LEEK? SENATOR POLSKY? SENATOR SMITH. >> Sen.
• Smith: NO. >> SENATOR YARBOROUGH? SENATOR GRALL? REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Spotlight is produced by the Minnesota Senate and Senate Media Services.
• Senate Spotlight is produced by the Minnesota Senate and Senate Media Services.
• Senator Ann Johnson Stewart's bill, Senate File 249, expands the eligibility for the state's income tax
• Senator Ann Johnson Stewart's bill, Senate File 249, expands the eligibility for the state's income tax
• how we turn it around thank you Senator how we turn it around thank you Senator appreciate<00:28

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Aloha, senators and representatives.
• an, which is in House District 21 or Senate District 10.
• Aloha, Senate, House, and committee representatives.
• I'm here, um, senators and representatives.
• He was Senator for Community Health — also not present.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang. Senator DeCoite excused. Senator Dela Cruz here. Senator Elefante here.
• Senator Ihara present. Senator Inouye present. Senator Kanuha. Senator Keohokalole. Senator Kidani.
• Senator Kim. Senator Lee. Senator McKelvey here. Senator Moriwaki present.
• Senator Inouye present. Senator Kanuha. Senator Keohokalole. Senator Kidani. Senator Kim.
• Senator San Buenaventura here. Senator Kanuha. Senator Keohokalole. Senator Kidani. Senator Kim.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal, and opened with a moment of contemplation honoring Bob Marley. Several senators spoke about Marley’s life, music, and activism, emphasizing his messages of peace, justice, unity, and resistance. One senator highlighted Marley’s 1979 visit to Hawaii and his influence on Hawaiian and “Jawaiian” music, while another introduced members of the Marley family and recognized their continuing musical work and cultural legacy. The Senate also recognized staff members from one senator’s office during the introductions. After the contemplative remarks and guest introductions, the presiding officer asked for a few minutes for photographs. The chamber then processed Governor’s Message No. 665, withdrawing a nomination to the Campaign Spending Commission, and Governor’s Messages Nos. 666 to 668, transmitting nominations to various boards and commissions. Those messages were referred according to the Order of the Day, and Standing Committee Reports Nos. 480 to 674 were adopted by motion without objection. In announcements, the presiding officer thanked the SMA team and legislative staff for efficient work on a record number of bills during the first lateral, noted the upcoming three-day weekend, and extended birthday wishes to Clerk Carol Taniguchi. The Senate then adjourned by motion until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18th.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and welcome to the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.
• It would be corrosive of the principal-agent relationship, and Senate Bill 253 would be preferable.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Senator McKelvie: Yes. Senator Richards: I. Senator Ahi: Yes. The measure is adopted.
• Senator M. was coming into this, I was a little confused, but I thank you for the clarity.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator S.? Yes. Okay, who's going to testify for DAGS?
• So first one, Senate Bill 1092.
• Senator Moy votes aye. Senator San Matura votes aye. Senator Verella votes aye. Measure passes.
• Senator Elanti votes aye. Senator Kuho votes aye. Senator Doroh? Measure is adopted, Mr. Chair.
• <00:15:26.360> okay Senator elanti hi Senator kuho okay Senator elanti hi Senator kuho okay

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Government Operations and Transportation, Culture and the Arts committees considered three bills. SB 1092 would establish a transportation demand management program for state employees, including a parking cash-out option. Testimony was largely in support, including from state planning, energy, labor, and several individuals, while committee members raised concerns about whether the program was mandatory and whether there was a full implementation plan. The bill’s proponents said it was voluntary and intended to reduce long parking waitlists by incentivizing employees to opt out of parking. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1092 be passed with amendments, and the measure was adopted in both committees. SB 1093 would create a parking demand management program and require DAGS to transition state employees from monthly parking to daily-rate parking. Testimony included strong opposition from most individuals and several agencies, with one supporter. A committee question focused on the loss of pre-tax payroll deductions under a daily-rate system, and the Deputy Attorney General explained that the current monthly arrangement allows deductions from gross pay, which would not work the same way with daily payments. Given the opposition and concerns, the committees recommended deferral indefinitely. SB 1121 would establish a procurement preference, beginning in 2027, for construction companies with electric vehicles. Testimony included comments from DAGS, the Department of Transportation, and others, with opposition noted from DOT. Committee members questioned charging infrastructure and battery disposal for electric vehicles used in construction. After discussion, the committees concluded it was in the best interest to defer the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Fukunaga, I. Senator Kim, reservations. Senator Awa, no.
• Senator Elefante, aye. Senator Kanuha, aye. Senator Dela Cruz, no. Measures adopted.
• Senator Fukunaga, I. Senator Kim, I. Senator Awa, no. Chair, your recommendations adopted.
• <00:10:15.000> I vote Yes Senator fuka I Senator Kim I vote Yes Senator fuka I Senator Kim
• c> Senator<00:37:19.640> a<00:37:20.119> no Senator Kim reservations Senator a no Senator

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures on the 1 p.m. agenda. SB 817, relating to out-of-state offices, drew support from DBEDT and several community groups, with questions focused on the requested funding, staffing level, whether the office would expand broadly, and whether the Philippines was being singled out. SB 1578, relating to international affairs, received support from DBEDT and the Attorney General, with the chair noting the bill was intended to help DBEDT analyze Hawaii’s international partnerships and plan next steps. SB 1639, establishing Hawaii Beach Day, had limited testimony and was moved along without substantive debate. SB 582, relating to DBEDT, was also heard with support from state agencies and a few individuals, and was described as a vehicle for organizational and funding changes affecting the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, including moving some positions and programming to general funds and narrowing the works-of-art special fund's uses. The committees then took up recommendations. All three measures were advanced with amendments: SB 817 was amended to include technical changes and a defective effective date of July 1, 2025; SB 1578 was amended to address the Attorney General’s concerns, make the commission subject to Senate confirmation, and add technical changes and a defective date; and SB 582 was amended to incorporate provisions from SB 1577, clarify SFCA authority over performing arts, shift SFCA positions and programming to general funds, restrict the works-of-art special fund, and add a defective date. Each committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendations, with no reservations or no votes noted in the Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee and only Senator Dela Cruz voting no on SB 817 there; in the Economic Development and Tourism committee, SB 817 passed with Senator Kim in reservation and Senator Awa voting no, while SB 1578 and SB 582 passed with Senator Awa voting no. The later 10:00 a.m. agenda hearing focused on SB 1589, relating to the stadium development special fund, and SB 1629, relating to taxation. On SB 1589, the Attorney General asked for clarification of section 3, particularly the proviso about remaining monies lapsing to the general fund if the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District is terminated before completion; the interim stadium manager explained the bill would allow spending of $49.5 million already in the special fund for consultant, construction management, quality assurance, and contingency costs. On SB 1629, testimony was sharply divided: supporters, including film industry and business representatives, said the measure would support local film production, restore prior GET treatment, and help attract studio development; opponents argued the bill was vague, overly favorable to a specific project, and lacked oversight and accountability. The hearing ended with extensive questioning about whether the bill was effectively tailored to a particular studio project and how it related to other film tax credit measures, but no final committee action on SB 1589 or SB 1629 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why is Senate Bill 1549 important?
• <00:13:27.920> Bill<00:13:28.519> 141 right on Senate Bill 141 right on Senate Bill
• > K votes I Senator ihara excuse Senator K votes I Senator ihara excuse Senator K col<00:13:48.760
• Senator Kanuha: Aye. Senator Dela Cruz: Aye. The measure is adopted. Thank you.
• votes I Senator ihara is excuse Senator votes I Senator ihara is excuse Senator K<00:25:04.760><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs met on February 13 and heard testimony on three measures before taking up decision-making. On SB 1410, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the bill as a practical way to require counties to timely respond when DHHL seeks transfer of infrastructure or facilities, and the chair later recommended passage without amendment. The committee adopted that recommendation, with Senator Ihara excused. The committee then heard extensive testimony on SB 1549, which would help fund the Kahili Homestead community’s planned multi-service center and park improvements. DHHL supported the measure, and community witnesses described a 16-year planning process, prior grant and developer funding, completed phase-one park work, and the need for state bonding to complete phase two. Members asked about community engagement, fundraising, and whether the design included features such as a lāʻau garden, Hōlua mound, imu hall, craft pavilion, and space for Native Hawaiian games and lua practice. The chair recommended passage of SB 1549 unamended, and the committee adopted the recommendation. The committee also considered SB 903, described as a housekeeping bill to create a vehicle for continued funding of OHA after the current working group sunsets. The chair recommended passage with amendments incorporating the contents of proposed Senate Draft 1 and recommittal to the Hawaiian Affairs committee, and that recommendation was adopted. The meeting then shifted to a joint hearing with Transportation and Culture and the Arts on SB 614, relating to Hawaiian Independence Day, and SB 1051, relating to Hawaiian History Month. Testimony on SB 614 was largely supportive, emphasizing cultural recognition and education, though one witness from Hawaii Sovereignty Studies opposed it; the Office of Collective Bargaining said it did not yet know the cost. SB 1051 also drew support, with testimony stressing the importance of teaching the history of the overthrow and Hawaiian sovereignty. Both bills were advanced with amendments, including technical changes and effective dates, and both committees adopted the chair’s recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hashimoto is excused. Senator K. Cole is excused. Senator Fevella: aye.
• Senator Chang: aye. Senator San Buenaventura: aye. Senator Kanuha: aye. The measure passes.
• > filla<00:32:22.639> hi Senator K col is excuse Senator filla hi Senator K col is excuse
• sanur<00:32:37.679> I size Senator Chang hi Senator sanur I size Senator Chang hi Senator
• Senator Chang, yes. Senator San Buenaventura, yes. Senator A, no. The measure passes.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health and Human Services and Judiciary meeting heard testimony on several measures, with most of the discussion focused on SB 709 and SB 955. On SB 709, relating to mental health data and related appropriations, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent and said the funding would help maintain a data dashboard and positions, though it had no suggested amount for one blank appropriation. Members also discussed whether sections of the bill were duplicative of existing data reporting. The committees later recommended SB 709 be passed with amendments, including technical changes, deferring the date to December 31, 2050, and blanking out the appropriation for later clarification. SB 955, relating to fitness to proceed, drew mixed testimony. Judiciary opposed portions of the bill, saying some changes could have unintended practical consequences. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill’s intent but urged keeping a three-member evaluation panel rather than reducing it to two, warning that a two-panel process could create delays if a third evaluator had to be added later. A former Hawaii State Hospital clinician said the bill placed too much blame on the courts and should address institutional and administrative problems at the hospital more directly. The Department of Health supported the intent and said it appreciated efforts to address overcrowding. After discussion about examiner shortages and status hearings, the committees recommended SB 955 be passed with amendments reducing the number of qualified examiners from three to one and making related technical changes. The committee also heard SB 1228, a child welfare services measure creating a working group related to youth legal representation and child welfare reform. DHS requested adding a Child Welfare Services representative to the work group, and multiple advocates, including the National Center for Youth Law and Hawaii Youth Services Network, testified in strong support, emphasizing the need for youth voice and implementation of Malama Ohana recommendations. Members asked whether this working group overlapped with another recently passed working group bill; testimony indicated the two measures addressed different issues. The meeting then recessed and later resumed for decision-making on the 9 o’clock calendar, where SB 709 was adopted with amendments and SB 955 was adopted with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] I'd like to call to order the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.
• We have the job of the formation of the subcommittees to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
• We have the job of the formation of the subcommittees to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
• And with that, members, the work of the Rules Committee is complete for today.
• Members, I would like to call the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, the subcommittee on committees

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Fevella here. Senator Fukunaga excused. Senator Gabbard. Senator Hashimoto.
• Senator Kidani excused. Senator Kim. Senator Lee. Senator McKelvey. Senator Moriwaki.
• Senator Rhoads. Senator Richards here. Senator San Buenaventura. Senator Wakai. Senator DeCoite.
• Senator Keohokalole. Senator Kidani excused. Senator Kim. Senator Lee. Senator McKelvey.
• Senator Kidani excused. Senator Kim. Senator Lee. Senator McKelvey. Senator Moriwaki.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in Conference Room 229, and this is for decision-making only on Senate Bill 894 SD1, relating
• Senate Bill 894 SD1, relating to education.
• Senate Bill 894 SD1, relating to education.
• Senate Bill 894 SD1 reconsideration. Uh... Senate chair vote I mean committee chair votes I.
• Senator Hashimoto is excused. Motions adopted.

Keywords: 912, senate, all