Video & Transcript Research : 'reservation'

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HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Fri Jan 31, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • Any votes with reservations? Your recommendation is adopted. Thank you.
  • <00:53:43.559> chair no any votes with reservations chair no any votes with reservations chair
  • Any votes with reservation? Okay, chair, your recommendation is adopted.
  • <00:58:53.119> I to be changing that to a reservations I to be changing that to a reservations
  • <00:59:47.119> represent<00:59:47.520> wants reservations represent wants reservations
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, including HB 671 on Native Hawaiian data tabulation, HB 639 on AI chatbot disclosures and consumer protection, HB 1391 on a proposed Hawaii/Irish trade commission, HB 1361, HB 1384 on an AI advisory council, HB 1292, and HB 1308 on online sports wagering. Testimony on HB 671 focused on clarifying how Native Hawaiian categories should be defined for data purposes, with Eugene Tian noting Census data can tabulate Native Hawaiians alone but not those in combination with other races without special tabulation. HB 639 drew support from DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, which said the bill should advance but may need amendments to align with existing consumer protection law and preserve OCP enforcement authority. HB 1384 received support from ETS, which said an AI advisory council would help establish governance and standards for state AI use. HB 1391 drew comments in support from DBEDT and one testifier who urged a broader U.S./Hawaii/EU framing rather than a bill focused on Ireland. HB 1361 was heard with no testimony in the excerpt, and HB 1292 received support from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and opposition from HGA, which warned the measure could open the door to privatizing or outsourcing government services. HB 1308 drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters arguing legalized online sports betting could generate revenue for education, housing, health care, child care, and problem gambling treatment, while opponents raised concerns about regulation, oversight, and the social impacts of gambling. Supporters included BetMGM, DraftKings, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, while the Department of Taxation and Office of Information Practices also provided comments. The committee then moved into decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations to pass HB 671, HB 639, HB 1391, and HB 1384 with amendments, while HB 1361 and HB 1292 were deferred. For HB 1308, the chair outlined a substantial HD1 with changes including limiting the bill to internet-connected mobile or digital wagering platforms, shifting regulatory responsibility from DBED to DCCA, adding confidentiality language tied to UIPA, and using committee notes to reference other states’ tax percentages and agency testimony; members discussed the need for guardrails, and one member changed from a no vote to reservations, but the excerpt ends before the final vote is shown.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • You'll notice an additional contingent amount coming from the reserve fund.
  • In addition, we pulled from the reserve... addition, we pulled from the reserve fund $375 million.
  • fund from the reserve fund.
  • So that number will be back to about $954 million in that reserve fund, and we... million in that reserve
  • How much is coming from the reserve fund?
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Tribal and State Relations Committee Apr 13th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Tribal and State Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So that’s the size of this reservation: two townships, six miles by 12 miles.
  • I'm a tribal member and I live smack dab in the middle of the reservation.
  • And yes, we are doing fee-to-trust because the whole county at one time was a reservation.
  • And yes, we are doing feed-a-trust because the whole county at one time was a reservation.
  • Now, when you're talking roads on the reservation, you have a BIA piece and a county piece.
Keywords: 908, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 4, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Reserve. I'm sorry. I reserve.
  • >> reserve. >> reserve.
  • Speaker, I reserve. reserve. reserve. >> Gentleman<05:12:28.878> reserves.
  • Now I reserve. reserve. reserve. >> Gentleman<06:01:52.320> reserves.
  • >> Reserve. >> Reserve. >> Reserve.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • Reservations. You know, people do agree with things outside these reservations.
  • Enforce these laws because it is really out of hand on these tribal reservations.
  • Well, it's, you know, there's illegal bootlegging and products on these tribal reservations.
  • But today, you know, it's legal, but we did not have any laws for it on the tribal reservations.
  • Thank you. reservations. You know, people do agree with things outside these reservations.
Summary: The caucus reviewed several bills and Senate or conference committee amendments, with members generally noting whether the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2749 would let courts enter a Class 1 misdemeanor conviction for certain lower-level felony convictions, with the Senate amendment requiring at least five years since completion of sentence before eligibility. HB 2082 would create a childhood cancer and rare childhood disease research commission and adjust funding rules, including a five-million-dollar threshold tied to appropriations or federal grants. HB 2096 would allow counties to seek WIFA assistance for cesspool remediation, with the Senate adding an alternative compliance path using ADEQ’s nonpoint source management plan. HB 4001 would regulate alternative nicotine products through the Department of Liquor Licensing and Control; members discussed whether some tobacco-related products remain outside the bill, tribal enforcement limits, and the absence of a tax provision. The presenter said the AG and governor support the bill. The caucus then shifted to conference committee bills. HB 2003 would lower the learner’s permit age from 15.5 to 15 and increase supervised driving time, but several members raised safety concerns and questioned whether the change was needed; the conference amendment would let current instruction permit holders qualify for a license after six months, while still requiring age 16 for licensure. HB 2133 would impose content-verification requirements for commercial websites publishing sexual material, with conference changes exempting pre-effective-date motion pictures and television programming. Members noted the Motion Picture Association still had concerns, though the changes addressed some retroactivity issues. HB 2874 would change campaign finance penalty rules, including a five-day publication requirement for committees owing late-filing penalties, a $5,000 cap on penalties per late report, and retroactive relief for certain inactive committees that filed no-contribution/no-expenditure reports and later terminated; one member said they still had not received the outstanding fee totals requested on the floor. HB 2010 would regulate digital goods sellers and refunds for revoked access to licensed digital content; the conference version kept a five-year refund structure but changed the refund amount to 20% per year, clarified refund procedures, and removed the refund requirement if alternative access is provided. The caucus took no votes in the transcript and ended after the bill presentations and questions.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, June 24, 2026 - AM

Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:
  • The final two items, the first is cash reserves.
  • Additionally, Additionally, the law removed the pre-97 cash reserves as part of that cash reserves analysis
  • and it just talks about the reserve account.
  • Because I can move it to those special reserve accounts. reserve accounts.
  • >> Drain our reserves completely? I'm not sure yet.
Keywords: 916, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Reservations. Uh Reservations. Reservations.
  • Reservations for Reservations.
  • Reservations for Rep Reservations.
  • Reservations. Reservations for votes? Reservations. Reservations for Rep<03:42:15.520> Gideon.
  • Sorry, any other reservations? reservations? reservations?
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, May 5, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. I reserve, Mr. Speaker.
  • The gentleman reserves. Gentleman time. The gentleman reserves.
  • The gentleman reserves. The of my time. The gentleman reserves.
  • reserve the balance of my time. reserve the balance of my time.
  • The gentleman reserves. The time. The gentleman reserves.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Any others with reservation? >> Reservation. >> Thank you.
  • Any others with reservation? >> Reservation. >> Thank you.
  • Any others with reservation? >> Reservation. >> Thank you.
  • >> Reservations. >> Reservations. >> Reservations.
  • >> Reservations. >> Reservations. >> Reservations.
Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Any reservations? reservations? reservations? Any<00:33:53.600> no<00:33:53.760> votes?
  • >> Reservations. >> Reservations for Representative Pierick? >> Sure. The reservation is adopted.
  • Any reservations? reservations? reservations?
  • >> Reservations. >> Reservations. >> Reservations.
  • >> Reservations<00:36:03.920> for >> Reservations for >> Reservations for Representative
Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. HB 1743 would expand the owner-builder exemption by repealing a leasing restriction and requiring notice when a leased residential structure was built by an unlicensed contractor. Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and the Contractors Licensing Board opposed the bill, warning it could encourage unlicensed contracting and weaken consumer protections, while Hawaii Realtors, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, BIA Hawaii, and others supported it as a way to increase housing flexibility. After questions about whether licensed electrical and plumbing work would still be required, the committee voted to pass HB 1743 with amendments and a defective date. The committee also heard and advanced HB 2122 HD1 on teacher housing, which would create a teacher housing assistance program using vouchers from the teachers housing revolving fund. Testimony included support from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and individuals, with the Office of Collective Bargaining in opposition and the Department of Education offering comments. The bill was voted out as is. The committee then considered HB 1756 and HB 1837, both updating the individual housing account program to reflect current housing prices; supporters including Housing Hawaii’s Future and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said the limits were outdated and needed inflation adjustments, and HB 1756 was passed with amendments while HB 1837 was deferred as nearly identical. HB 1729 would disallow the state home mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Hawaii Realtors opposed it, while Housing Hawaii’s Future supported it as a way to prioritize first-time homebuyers and reduce competition from second-home buyers. The chair noted a possible revenue savings estimate and the committee passed the bill with amendments, with several reservations. Finally, HB 2559 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to limited exclusive groups of buyers, which the Office of Consumer Protection said needed an enforcement clarification and the Realtors said could affect some legitimate private-listing situations. The chair proposed replacing the outright ban with a disclosure requirement for private listings, and the committee passed HB 2559 with amendments. The hearing then adjourned after the chair thanked members, staff, and the public.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 4, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman from New York reserves.
  • I'll reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman from Colorado reserves.
  • I reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman from Missouri reserves.
  • The gentleman from Missouri reserves. The gentleman from California reserves.
  • gentleman reserves gentleman reserve gentleman reserves gentleman from<04:29:54.520> Missouri<
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • grandinetti uh with reservations grandinetti uh with reservations reservations<00:54:25.960>
  • for<00:54:26.400> representative reservations for representative reservations for representative
  • Any with reservations? Seeing none, the recommendation is adopted.
  • Any with reservations? Seeing none, the recommendation is adopted.
  • Any with reservations? No, any with reservations? Seeing none, the recommendation is adopted.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related measures. SB 38 SD2 drew mixed testimony on changes to 21H projects, with HHFDC supporting and county and community groups split between support and opposition. In discussion, members focused on how county legislative bodies can alter projects in ways that increase costs, including changes to AMI mixes and fee waivers. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, limiting county changes that would impose stricter conditions than HHFDC, stricter AMI requirements, or reduced fee waivers; the motion passed with one member voting with reservations and two members excused. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 71 SD2, which would revise the rental housing revolving fund. Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi YIMBY, and NAAP Hawaiʻi opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken support for deeply affordable units, eliminate the 5% set-aside for households at or below 30% AMI, and create a funding gap for households between 60% and 120% AMI. Supporters of the bill, including public housing and some development interests, emphasized the need to redirect funding and make the program more flexible. In decision-making, the committee described the bill as making comprehensive changes that would narrow Tier 2 toward higher-income projects and favor shorter loan terms, then moved it out with amendments. The committee also heard and advanced several other measures with little or no opposition: SB 40 SD2 on state finances, SB 378 on HHFDC, SB 572 SD1 on housing, SB 1229 ST2 on the dwelling unit revolving fund, and SB 602 on the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority all received support testimony and were moved forward. For SB 65 SD2, HPHA and other agencies supported the measure, and HPHA testified it sought roughly $8 million to $10 million for repair and maintenance of units not covered by CIP funds. The committee also took up SB 826 SD1 on the low-income housing tax credit, where HHFDC, the Tax Foundation, and DHHL expressed confusion over the bill’s intent and whether it would bar state agencies from using LIHTC financing; no action was taken on that item in the excerpt. SB 944 SD2 on LIHTC transferability drew support and a suggestion to keep clarifying language that notifies the tax department, and the committee indicated it would keep the provision in.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WLA-AEN Public Hearing 02-11-2026

Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Reservation. Senator Awa, >> Reservation.
  • Any voting with reservations? reservations? reservations? >> Reservations.
  • >> Reservations. >> Reservations.
  • Senator Decoy >> reservations. >> reservations. >> reservations.
  • >> reservations. >> reservations.
Summary: The committees heard testimony on several measures related to wildlife, conservation, shoreline adaptation, and climate governance. On SB 2606, which would establish the Freshwater State Recreational Area Wildlife Sanctuary Corporation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it had concerns about employee eligibility and was not yet prepared to comment further on the bill’s ramifications. After testimony ended, a senator asked DLNR to follow up with more detail, and the department said it would relay the questions to leadership and respond later. No vote was taken on the measure during the excerpt. On SB 3253, which would create the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity to work with DLNR, the department said it supported the bill. In discussion, DLNR said Hawaii has not done anything like this before, described a similar model in New Zealand, and estimated that developing such a sanctuary could cost millions of dollars. Members also discussed whether the concept would fit with existing efforts such as Hakalau, and DLNR said the bill could apply to private or state lands depending on the site. No action was taken. The most extensive discussion was on SB 237, which would expand state and county authority to develop adaptation pathways for relocating infrastructure away from sea level rise and coastal flooding areas. DLNR supported the bill, saying it prioritizes public trust resources over economic development or private property. The Kahana Bay Steering Committee and the Shoreline Preservation Coalition opposed the measure, arguing it was too focused on managed retreat and should include a broader range of shoreline responses, such as erosion mitigation, groins, sand nourishment, and other interim protections. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it appreciated the bill’s intent but wanted broader language that would allow more tools in the toolbox. Members debated whether retreat is inevitable, whether different shorelines require different approaches, and whether the bill should be more flexible. No vote was taken. The final measure discussed was SB 3252, which would amend the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, create a coordinator position, and appropriate funds. The commission’s coordinator testified in support, while OPSD opposed the bill, saying it would remove the two cabinet-level co-chair positions, raise accountability concerns, and duplicate some of OPSD’s functions. In questioning, members debated whether the current commission structure has been effective, who would appoint or confirm the coordinator, and whether the bill would improve transparency and implementation. OPSD said it supported more statewide interdepartmental funding for climate planning and staffing, but had concerns about the proposed governance changes. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 2, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • lady reserves. lady reserves.
  • I reserve. Gentleoman<02:32:06.560> reserves.
  • I reserve. Gentleman<02:40:06.160> reserves.
  • I reserve my time. Gentleman's time is reserved.
  • Gentle lady reserve. Gentleman reserves.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • So it was a combination of releasing some contingency reserves...
  • The other thing we look at is total state reserves. Again, they continue to be very high.
  • So we have continued to have very, very strong reserves.
  • This year's reserves of nearly... Percent to 41.3%.
  • If you have We can handle out of our existing BSF reserves.
Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present to hear the constitutionally required Long-Range Financial Outlook and consider a series of budget amendments. Amy Baker of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research presented the outlook, describing Florida’s continued population growth, strong wage growth, an aging population, housing-market softening, and low consumer sentiment. She said the general revenue forecast was largely unchanged from March, but the state’s funds available had improved because of legislative actions in 2025 that increased the balance forward. She also noted strong reserves, a projected current-year Medicaid deficit of about $125 million, and a three-year outlook that remains positive in the first year but turns negative in years two and three. She highlighted the risk of co-occurring catastrophic events, using a normalized Great Miami Hurricane scenario to illustrate potential state losses. The outlook was adopted after brief comments from House and Senate members emphasizing fiscal restraint and efficiency. The commission then approved multiple budget amendments, mostly without objection. The Agency for Health Care Administration received amendments to realign funding for Florida KidCare based on estimating conference results, to provide $85 million in budget authority for disproportionate share hospital payments, and to adjust Medicaid and long-term care appropriations, including placing surplus funds into reserve. The Department of Health received $6.3 million in additional authority for newborn screening. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Management Services each received $2.2 million in Private Inmate Welfare Trust Fund authority for repair invoices and pending projects. The Department of State was authorized to release $2.5 million in nonrecurring general revenue for cultural and museum grants and America 250 commemorative grants. The Department of Transportation received approval for a project roll-forward and for work program changes, including advancing I-95 widening in Duval County and the I-4 corridor in Polk and Osceola counties. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um are there any reservations? reservations? reservations? >> Any<00:48:57.440> nos?
  • Any reservations? amendments. Any reservations? Any<00:50:26.240> nos?
  • Any reservations? amendments. Any reservations? Any<00:51:05.599> nos?
  • Any reservations? reservations? reservations? Any<00:51:34.160> nos?
  • Um any reservations? amendments. Um any reservations? >> Reservations. >> Reservations.
Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 10, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills. HB 1849 relating to licensing drew comments from DCCA’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division and the Hawaii Real Estate Commission, both of which stood on written testimony. The Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights testified in strong support, emphasizing that some immigrants, including DACA recipients, are already contributing in Hawaii and that the state should help create pathways for them to remain and advance professionally. No vote or final action was taken on HB 1849 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2000, the wheelchair right-to-repair bill. Encart opposed the measure, arguing that repair delays are largely driven by insurance prior authorization and that wheelchair repairs involve FDA-regulated medical devices where improper repairs could create health risks. Peter Fritz testified in support, saying the bill was modeled on similar laws in other states and that he had personal experience through his sister’s use of a wheelchair. Members questioned whether repairs done outside insurer networks might not be reimbursed, and Fritz said that was a concern but that the need for timely repair outweighed it. The committee also discussed HB 1753 on social media, where DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but suggested an amendment to the definition of personal information. On HB 1511 relating to consumer protection, DCCA’s Insurance Division supported the bill, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association offered comments seeking to preserve legitimate manufacturer and dealer communications about vehicles, warranties, recalls, and related services. The committee also took up HB 276 HD1 and HB 1513 on condominiums. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission offered comments on HB 276 HD1. For HB 1513, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority supported the bill, but DCCA’s Insurance Division opposed it, warning that diverting HHRF funds could weaken reinsurance arrangements and raise premiums for consumers who rely on the fund. Members questioned whether the proposed condo loan program would need HHRF money and whether the amounts in the bill were necessary, and the division said it opposed using HHRF for that purpose. The committee also heard HB 2188 on housing, where OCP supported the measure and the Hawaii Association of Realtors raised concerns about conflicts with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the use of tenant screening reports, noting that a working group is already addressing landlord-tenant issues. Members asked OCP to research how other states handle similar laws and whether additional language is needed to avoid federal conflict. Finally, on HB 1876 relating to mental health, the Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division supported the bill but said it remains opposed to harmful, non-evidence-based treatment modalities; Pride at Work Hawaii also testified in strong support. No final votes or committee decisions were reported in the excerpt.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 04-30-2026 12:00pm

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • 28 years as a reserve officer. 28 years as a reserve officer.
  • Any reservations?
  • Any reservations? unanimous consent? Any reservations?
  • Any reservations?
  • reservations? No vote, Senator Awana. reservations?
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Sep 24th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • operating reserves.
  • That's the Appropriation Contingency Fund where the General Fund Operating Reserve is.
  • Operating reserve and our appropriation contingency reserves are at zero.
  • Operating reserves that we can pull money out of?
  • reserves.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Any reservations? Any no amendments. Any reservations? Any no votes?
  • Any reservations? Reservations for Rep. Almost. Any other reservations?
  • Any reservations? Any no votes? Any reservations? Any no votes?
  • >> Reservations. >> Reservations. >> Reservations.
  • Any reservations? pass with amendments. Any reservations?
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Reservations for Senator Sanur. >> Note reservations for Senator Sanur. >> Okay, next up.
  • there any objections or reservations? there any objections or reservations?
  • objections or reservations? objections or reservations? >> No. >> No. >> No.
  • objections or reservations? objections or reservations? >> No. >> No. >> No.
  • objections or reservations? objections or reservations?
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills related to bribery and public corruption. On SB 2249, which would increase penalties for bribery under certain circumstances, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, arguing that Hawaii’s current class B felony penalty is probationable and too weak to secure cooperation in corruption cases, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Snyder decision narrowed federal bribery prosecutions. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that elevating bribery to a class A felony and making it non-probationable was excessive, overbroad, and would remove judicial discretion. Multiple individuals also testified in support. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about removing deferred acceptance of plea provisions and asked HPD about the $20,000 threshold; the prosecutor said alternative charges could still be used in plea bargaining, and HPD said the threshold aligns with first-degree theft. The committee also discussed how current law tolls the bribery statute of limitations while an official remains in office, with the prosecutor explaining it can extend up to six years total. The committee then heard SB 2494, which would set a nine-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses. The Public Defender opposed the extension, saying the justification based on the length of federal investigations was too broad and that bribery already has a longer limitations period than most felonies. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill, saying bribery cases often involve coordination with federal investigators, that federal and state evidence-gathering methods may differ, and that a longer period would help ensure admissible evidence and allow state prosecution when federal law no longer applies. Members asked whether there were public examples of cases lost to the current limitations period; the prosecutor said he was not aware of any publicly available examples, but maintained nine years was a reasonable period. The committee also considered SB 2737, which would create a misdemeanor for failure by a state or county elected official to report bribery. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and suggested changing the term to “public servant” for consistency with existing law. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the intent but warned the reporting requirement could create Fifth Amendment issues for witnesses who might otherwise be useful in grand jury proceedings. The bill drew broad public support, with 33 supporters and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up SB 3071, which revises sex trafficking and promoting prostitution statutes by redefining “profits from prostitution” and adding an affirmative defense for certain lawful transactions. The Public Defender opposed the measure, saying it still could reach people without the required criminal intent and that the affirmative defense language could be applied unevenly. The Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported the bill, saying it better addresses concerns raised by the State v. Ibarra decision while closing loopholes that allow traffickers to disguise profits as loans or gifts. The prosecutor emphasized that traffickers are sophisticated and can structure transactions to evade current law.