Transcript Highlights:

• Water Conservation Board effective February 13, 2026, for terms expiring February 12th, 2029: Alan Ward
• <00:40:33.839> Alan<00:40:34.160> Ward<00:40:34.400> of<00:40:34.480> PBLO
• Alan Ward of PBLO, Colorado 12th, 2029.
• Alan Ward of PBLO, Colorado to<00:40:35.280> serve<00:40:35.359> as<00:40:35.520> a<
• Grea of Denver, Crystal Schubert for the Building Decarbonization Enterprise Board of Directors, Alan Ward

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward
• Led by Coach Daniel Ward and quarterback Lane Brown, the Warriors finished their historic season with
• I wanted to recognize in the back of the gallery today, on the floor, Coach Daniel Ward.
• Coach Daniel Ward. Daniel, you just have to stay right there. That's all right.
• All right, we have Daniel Ward. Our quarterback, Lane Brown. Congratulations, Lane.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and pledge that reflected on Japanese American incarceration during World War II and recent storm-related losses in California. The chamber then handled routine procedural matters, guest introductions, and several consent and file items before moving to floor debate on a series of resolutions and budget measures. The main policy item was HR 82, declaring February 19, 2026, a day of remembrance for the incarceration of Japanese Americans. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the importance of remembering civil liberties failures, and the need to guard against similar abuses today. The resolution drew some criticism of its rhetoric toward federal law enforcement, but after debate the Assembly added 72 coauthors and adopted HR 82 by voice vote. The chamber also adopted ACR 128, a resolution recognizing solidarity with Ukraine, and later passed ACA 7, a constitutional amendment related to government preferences, after a partisan debate over whether it would restore or prohibit discrimination. The Assembly also took up two budget-related concurrence items. AB 107, described as technical and conforming changes to the 2025 Budget Act and adjustments related to Proposition 4 projects, passed concurrence 59-3 and was sent immediately to the Governor. AB 117 authorized the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to borrow up to $590 million from already awarded transit capital funds to support operating costs for BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; supporters called it a bridge loan to stabilize transit, while opponents called it a bailout lacking accountability. The measure passed concurrence 52-16 and was also transmitted to the Governor. The session ended with adjournments in memory of former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, with members praising his leadership in city government, energy policy, and clean energy development. The Speaker then announced the bill introduction deadline and the next floor session date before adjourning the Assembly until Monday, February 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, excused, Mr. Woodson, Mr. Yamashita. Miss Cochran, excused. Mr. Evslin. Mr. Garcia. Mr.
• Ward, excused. Mr. Woodson. Mr. Yamashita.
• tares M Tempo<00:16:05.519> Mr Tempo Mr Tempo Mr Todd<00:16:07.560> Mr Todd Mr Todd Mr Ward
• <00:16:10.639> excused<00:16:11.639> Mr Ward excused Mr Ward excused Mr Woodson<00:16:13.680

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, Judy, aye. Ward, Kim, aye. Williams, Anthony H., aye. Williams, Lindsay, aye. Yaw, aye.
• Judy Ward? The vote on the amendment is: the ayes are 50 and the nays are zero.
• Kim, move, Ward Judy. The vote on final passage, the eyes are 50 and the knees are zero.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then received communications recalling it for voting session and referring gubernatorial nominations and a series of Senate and House bills and resolutions to standing committees. Leaves of absence were granted, and the chamber recessed briefly for committee meetings and party caucuses before reconvening. On the floor, the Senate unanimously agreed to House Bill 1102 and later passed Senate Bill 1133 and Senate Bill 1303 by 50-0 votes. Several measures were set aside to their proper place in the calendar or re-referred, including Senate Bill 1182 and House Bill 928 to Appropriations. The Senate also adopted multiple amendments to Senate Bill 1372, including a technical amendment from Senator Brooks, an amendment offered on behalf of Senator Loughlin, and Senator Fontana’s amendment requiring carbon monoxide detectors in child care facilities; after amendment, Senate Bill 1372 was held over. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 326 urging a posthumous Medal of Honor for Major Richard Winters. During petitions and remonstrances, Senator Tartaglione urged action to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, noting it has been 20 years since the last increase. Senator Dush honored Colonel James C. Harding on his birthday, highlighting his military service and decorations. Senator Street introduced a discharge resolution to force consideration of adult-use cannabis legalization, arguing the issue has bipartisan support and should receive a vote. Senator Dush also delivered extended remarks on the Founders, John Adams, religion, and the Constitution. Committee reports followed, including Appropriations reporting Senate Bills 1061, 1182, and 1303 as committed and House Bill 2400 as amended, and Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure reporting House Bill 2426 as committed. The Senate then considered supplemental calendars, adopting an amendment to Senate Bill 1182 and passing Senate Bill 1303 on final passage, both by 50-0 votes. The chamber was also notified of upcoming committee meetings, and it recessed until June 30, 2026, at 11 a.m., unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, Larry, you've been a great representative for the people of Ward 6 in Manchester, but you've been
• <00:08:46.160> the<00:08:46.280> people<00:08:46.720> of<00:08:46.880> Ward
• <00:08:47.240> 6 representative for the people of Ward 6 representative for the people of
• Ward 6 in<00:08:47.720> Manchester,<00:08:48.480> but<00:08:48.680> you've<00:08

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House meeting consisted of announcements and a series of tributes honoring Representative Larry Gagne, a Vietnam-era Navy veteran and longtime member of the Veterans Committee. Representative Moffett introduced the recognition, describing the VA Vietnam-era veterans award and noting Gagne’s service, including his Navy enlistment in 1961, his role in the honor guard for Alan B. Shepard, and his service aboard the USS Noah, which recovered John Glenn after his 1962 spaceflight. Gagne was escorted to the front of the chamber and applauded by members. Former Speaker Steve Shurtleff also spoke in tribute, recalling his long acquaintance with Gagne dating back to police training and their later work together in the House, especially on the Criminal Justice Committee. He emphasized bipartisan cooperation, saying criminal justice should not be partisan, and praised Gagne as a friend and effective legislator. Shurtleff also noted Gagne’s later service on the State and Federal Veterans Affairs Committee and thanked Chair Moffett, saying they could disagree without being disagreeable. Gagne then responded briefly, joking about his long tenure and recalling shared memories from the police academy, including a graduation snowball fight and finding an old photo of himself and Shurtleff. He said he planned to run again, reflected on both good and difficult times in the House, and closed by stressing respect across party lines and the importance of getting along. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward
• Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward
• Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Rubio, Mr. Speaker.
• Assembly Member Ward will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and brief procedural business, including approval of the prior day’s journal, suspension of certain rules for guest introductions, and moving AB 568 to the inactive file. The chamber then recognized several visiting groups, including a fourth-grade class from Marigold Elementary School, representatives of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and its Royal Court, and students from the University of California Students Association on lobby day. The main floor actions centered on two resolutions. ACR 147 by Assembly Member Lackey designated March 9, 2026 as California Special Olympics Day. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, sharing personal connections to Special Olympics and praising its impact on athletes, families, and volunteers. The resolution received 70 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 89 by Assembly Member Patterson declared March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Speakers emphasized rising colorectal cancer rates among younger adults, the importance of screening, and new testing options including blood tests. The resolution also received 70 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. After the resolutions, Assembly Member Rodriguez offered an adjournment in memory of Bob Yuloa of Chino, a Navy veteran and longtime community servant. The Assembly then announced upcoming committee and floor session dates and adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Sabur, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Thank you.
• request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assemblymembers Sharp-Collins and Ward
• Assemblymember Ward, you are recognized for your adjournment in memory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Thank you Assemblymember Ward.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Quinland and Ward are both excused absent. The chair's recommendation is adopted.
• and noting representative<00:30:45.519> quinland<00:30:46.039> and<00:30:46.240> Ward
• <00:30:46.840> both representative quinland and Ward both representative quinland and Ward

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a single dose that was very complex to help a young man with an autoimmune encephalitis in a psych ward
• in Houston that I held had to help get an attorney to crack him out of there because the psych ward
• we were told would not allow IV medicine IV delivered in a psych ward.
• And yet we were told that the regular ward wouldn't accept a psych patient.

Bills: SB 502, SB 513, SB 622, SB 670, SB 731, SB 732, SB 916, SB 961, SB 1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Prentiss, thank you, Chair Ward.
• 46.840> chair Factor Senator princes thank you chair Factor Senator princes thank you chair Ward
• <00:07:47.599> so Ward so Ward so um<00:07:50.039> I'm<00:07:50.199> GNA<00:07:50.479

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee discussed a bill directing the Department of Education to develop or identify informational materials about type 1 diabetes and make them available to school districts and on school websites. One member objected that the bill was too narrow and effectively created a policy focused on one disease, arguing that other illnesses also deserve attention and that parents can obtain such information from physicians and health centers. Others responded that type 1 diabetes was chosen because it can be hard to detect, can progress quickly, and early warning signs in children may be missed by school staff and parents. Supporters emphasized testimony from young people and families about the importance of early detection, noting that type 1 diabetes is different from type 2 and can lead to serious complications if not recognized quickly. Several members said the bill would help teachers, nurses, and parents identify symptoms and seek prompt medical care, and that adding every disease would overcrowd the materials. One senator said the bill was a prevention measure and that similar treatment could be considered for other illnesses in the future if they met the same criteria. The committee then voted on the bill and advanced it on a 4-1 vote. Afterward, there was brief procedural discussion about whether to place another item on consent and whether to move out of executive session, but no additional substantive action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward. testimony to two minutes. Uh my staff testimony to two minutes.
• Oh Sophie is Ruth in here at one<00:06:56.639> Senator<00:06:57.120> Ward. Okay.
• We are closing maternity wards, and I think that if we became a medical destination for these women—and
• ,<00:25:34.000> especially<00:25:34.320> up save our maternity wards, especially up
• He was in the adult psych ward for multiple weeks.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know that there is a ward.
• I don't know that there is a ward.
• So how about fire ward? What do we all feel about the position of fire ward?
• >> A fire ward is not a fire chief. >> A fire ward is not a fire chief.
• Do we want fire ward in or out? Do we want fire ward in or out?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<01:45:32.000> Ward, Senator Ward, Senator Ward, >> yes. >> yes.
• Senator Ward. Senator Ward: Thank you, Madam President.
• Senator Ward. Senator Ward: Thank you, Madam President.
• >> Senator<10:57:48.080> Ward, >> Senator Ward, >> Senator Ward, >> no
• >> Senator<10:59:17.840> Ward, >> Senator Ward, >> Senator Ward, >> yes

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and they wanted to still vote in that ward because their parents had a home there and they were not
• ward. a Supreme Court case back in can't a Supreme Court case back in can't remember<00:04:44.080>
• a citizen had moved out of their ward a citizen had moved out of their ward and<00:04:52.880>
• cuz their parents had a home there ward cuz their parents had a home there and<00:04:56.960> they
• I represent Merrimack, District 16, which is also Concord Ward 2.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephanie, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur. Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
• objection, such shall be the order. to suspend assembly rule 118A to allow assembly members Erwin, Ward
• Ward to do his guest introduction from Mr. Speaker's desk. Mr. Ward, you are recognized.
• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Thank you, Assembly Member Ward. Assembly Member Ortega, you are recognized.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, completed the roll, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions recognizing visitors, students, and a long-serving committee secretary, Tabitha Volga-Sang, who was honored for 32 years of service. Members also took up a procedural motion by Assembly Member DeMaio to immediately consider ACA 14, the Taxpayer Protection Act, without reference to file; that motion failed on a 14-44 vote. The main policy debate centered on SB 106 by Senator Laird, a budget appropriation to provide $90 million in one-time funding for Planned Parenthood and related women’s health and family planning services after federal cuts. Assembly Member Tangipa offered amendments arguing the money should be directed more broadly to women’s health and hospitals, but the Assembly voted 41-13 to lay the amendments on the table. Supporters, including Gabriel, Sharp-Collins, Gibson, Krell, Bonta, and others, said the bill was needed to preserve access to cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing, and reproductive care, especially in rural and underserved communities, and to offset the effects of federal defunding. Opponents, including Johnson, DeMaio, Patterson, and Tangipa, criticized the bill as lacking transparency, favoring a politically connected organization, and diverting attention from hospital funding and other health needs. After extended floor debate, SB 106 passed the Assembly 55-10 and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. The chamber then took up H.R. 84, a resolution condemning racism after President Trump circulated racist imagery depicting former President Obama and Michelle Obama. Members from the Black, LGBTQ, Latino, AAPI, Jewish, Native American, and other caucuses spoke in support, saying the post normalized dehumanization and had real-world consequences; Assembly Member Tangipa also stated the post was wrong and apologized on the record. The transcript ends during continued debate on H.R. 84, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward
• If you are a Black youth, you are seven times more likely to be a ward of the state.
• If you are a black youth, you are seven times more likely to be a ward of the state.
• And the second thing that's being overlooked is this bill is limited only to wards of the state.
• This just doesn't deal with all juveniles, but wards of the state are a special population that we have

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through guest introductions, including students and fellows from California Lutheran University, UC Merced’s CAPE program, the Maddy Institute, and Madera High School’s Madtown Robotics Team 1323, which was recognized for multiple robotics world championships. The chamber also adopted an adjournment in memory and took up the daily file. Several bills and resolutions were considered and passed, including AB 1390 on school board compensation thresholds, AB 1338 on air district cost recovery for fence-line air monitoring, AB 648 on community college housing, AB 1207 on cap-and-trade price ceilings, ACR 66 recognizing Skin Cancer Awareness Month, AB 49 on keeping ICE out of public schools, AB 317 on a CEQA exemption for certain single-family homes, AB 527 on geothermal exploratory wells, AB 665 on the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ombudsman report, AB 940 creating quantum innovation zones, AB 1021 on workforce housing for education agencies, AB 1112 on property tax apportionment in Rancho Mirage, AB 1318 on nonprofit eligibility for public funding, and AB 1470 on using student housing loan funds for affordable housing in downtowns and commercial districts. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 49 and AB 1318 were urgency bills and passed with the required higher vote threshold. The floor also adopted H.R. 40, declaring May 25 as Rosenda’s Day to honor a teen killed by a drunk driver, and H.R. 42, recognizing May as Behavioral Health Awareness Month. Both drew extensive personal testimony from members about mental health, suicide, substance use, and the need to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Additional health-related bills passed, including AB 408 creating a physician health and wellness program, AB 546 requiring coverage for HEPA purifiers for certain enrollees after wildfire disasters, AB 967 expediting licenses for out-of-state physicians, and AB 968 expanding pharmacist authority to provide non-hormonal contraception. The Assembly also debated AB 1056 on phasing out gill net fishing and AB 1376 on limiting juvenile probation terms, with supporters framing both as conservation or rehabilitation measures and opponents warning about economic harm or public safety concerns. Both bills ultimately passed. Throughout the session, members repeatedly emphasized public safety, education, housing, climate, health care access, and support for immigrant and youth communities, with recorded roll-call votes and voice votes taken on each measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Tangipa, Valencia, Valencia, Wallace, Ward
• File item number 105, that's AB 253 by Assembly Member Ward. Members, this is a 54-vote bill.
• Assembly Bill 253 by Assembly Member Ward and others, an act relating to housing and declaring the act
• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Assembly Member Ward, all debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions. Members then moved through a long agenda of Senate and Assembly bills, including several concurrence votes on budget trailer bills and policy measures. Early actions included defeating a motion to send AB 1207 to the inactive file, then passing SB 855 on armory property transfers, SB 57 on data centers and ratepayer impacts, and SB 614 on carbon capture pipeline transport, with SB 614 transmitted immediately to the Senate. The house also approved AB 144 and AB 149, the health and resources budget trailer bills, and later took up a large concurrence file with many mostly bipartisan measures. Among the major policy items, the Assembly concurred in AB 7 on consideration of descendants of enslaved people in higher education admissions, AB 1400 on community college nursing/bachelor’s degree pilots, AB 56 on social media warning labels for children, AB 253 on housing plan-check timelines, AB 265 on disaster recovery support for small businesses, AB 301 on housing reconstruction timelines after fires, AB 325 on antitrust and pricing algorithms, AB 478 on emergency planning for pets, AB 670 on renter stability, AB 841 on the State Fire Marshal, AB 979 on AI cybersecurity, AB 1007 on faster housing permitting, AB 1032 on mental health care for wildfire victims, AB 1181 on firefighter cancer protections, and AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals. Several bills drew brief opposition or questions, including AB 149, where Assembly Member Dixon criticized omnibus budget drafting and fee increases, and AB 1264, where members discussed agriculture concerns and school nutrition. Most measures passed with strong margins, many unanimously. Later in the day, the Assembly also considered a separate set of Senate bills, including SB 760 on behest reporting for charitable appeals, SB 271 on student parents’ access to child care and financial aid services, SB 613 on methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, SB 744 on postsecondary accreditation, SB 461 on a facility transfer for police services in Imperial, SB 487 on compensation for injured firefighters and peace officers, SB 635 on street vendor protections, SB 641 on licensing relief after disasters, SB 720 on red-light camera programs, SB 763 on Cartwright Act penalties, and SB 274 on limits for automated license plate reader data retention. SB 274 drew the most extended debate, with supporters emphasizing privacy, civil liberties, and misuse of data, and opponents arguing the bill would hamper law enforcement and crime-solving tools. The transcript ends during that debate, with no final vote shown for SB 274 in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• worked closely with the staff of our very own LGBTQ-plus caucus, and I want to thank Assemblymember Ward
• Assemblymember Ward, who's here in his capacity both as a committee member of this committee, but also
• Ward, do you want to make any comments?
• Thank you, Chair Ward.
• So with that, any closing words, Chair Ward?” “Yeah. So we will go to public comment.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on the impact of social media on LGBTQ+ youth, focusing on benefits, risks, and possible safeguards. Chair members framed the discussion around the tension between protecting young people from addictive design, harassment, hate speech, exploitation, and mental health harms while preserving access to affirming resources, community, and crisis support that many LGBTQ+ youth rely on online. Members emphasized that the hearing was meant to inform future policy rather than relitigate prior bills, and several members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus attended or participated. The first panel featured lived experience and advocacy testimony from Madi Roby of Alliance for Trans Youth Rights, Shea Gardner of LGBT Tech, and Casey Pick of the Trevor Project. Roby described social media as essential to exploring identity, finding trans language and safety information, and connecting to Trevor Project resources during a family crisis, while also acknowledging online hate and bullying. Gardner argued that lawmakers should regulate harms more precisely rather than impose broad age-based exclusions, warning that account bans and age-gating could cut off access to community, privacy-protective pseudonymity, and crisis resources. Pick testified that LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than peers to attempt suicide, that social media can be both a lifeline and a risk, and that Trevor Space and other moderated online spaces can improve mental health and reduce isolation; she also cautioned against policies that would push youth into less visible, less moderated spaces. Committee members questioned the witnesses about algorithmic feeds, addictive design, age verification, and whether platforms should be required to do more to protect youth. Several lawmakers distinguished between personalized feeds and addictive features such as infinite scroll and autoplay, and asked for more targeted prescriptions. Witnesses generally supported stronger privacy protections, limits on data collection and use, better reporting and moderation tools, digital literacy, and design changes that reduce harmful engagement patterns without eliminating access to community. The discussion also touched on the loss of LGBTQ-specific 988 services at the national level and the importance of maintaining alternative support pathways. The second panel presented research from Common Sense Media, UC Irvine, Hope Lab, and LGBTQ+ Health Australia. Researchers reported that LGBTQ+ youth often arrive online with higher depressive symptoms and limited in-person support, encounter homophobic and transphobic content at high rates, and may self-censor because of fear of harassment. At the same time, many said social media helps them feel less alone and find affirmation. Dr. Sean Young emphasized a harm-reduction approach, noting that online environments can be designed to support health and that policymakers should measure whether restrictions actually reduce harm or simply displace it. Dr. Amy Green echoed that social media is both harmful and supportive for LGBTQ+ youth, underscoring that the policy goal should be to make youth safer rather than less visible online.

Transcript Highlights:

• According to an independent poll conducted by Ward Research, 78% of registered Hawaii voters support
• <00:25:35.760> poll<00:25:36.080> conducted<00:25:36.400> by<00:25:36.559> Ward
• independent poll conducted by Ward independent poll conducted by Ward Research,<00:25:37.760>
• Becky Ward in support. Karen Kalanta in support. Terri Bevesman in support. Kangas Lee in support.
• Becky Ward in support. Karen in support. Becky Ward in support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Higher Education hearing took up HB 441 HD2, a measure to increase cigarette taxes and dedicate the revenue to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. The Department of Taxation said it had no substantive objection but requested an effective date of January 1, 2026 if tax rates change so it can order new stamps. The Department of Health, the Deputy Attorney General/tobacco enforcement, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Hawaii Medical Association, and several other health organizations and youth advocates supported the bill, arguing that higher cigarette prices reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and help fund cancer research and care. Several supporters asked for a larger increase, including at least $1 per pack, while opponents from retail, wholesale, and tobacco-related groups argued the tax would be regressive, burden low-income smokers, and drive sales to the illicit market. The Tax Foundation and other opponents also criticized reliance on sin taxes and said smoking rates are already at historic lows. After testimony and questions, members discussed how the revenue should be used and whether higher taxes change smoker behavior or push people toward vaping or other alternatives. The chairs announced they would pass HB 441 HD2 with amendments, replacing the contents with SB 528 SD1 except for changes reflecting the Department of Taxation’s request and a provision directing all proceeds from the tax increase to the Hawaii Cancer Center’s debt reduction, with an effective date of December 31, 2025. The House Health, Human Services, and Higher Education committees then voted to adopt the recommendation; the Health, Human Services committee vote was adopted with Chair and several members voting aye and one member voting no in the Higher Education committee vote. The hearing also briefly covered HB 1334 on meat donation, which drew support from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, food industry, and community groups, though no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1098 on crimes against protective services workers. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying assaults on protective services workers can have chilling effects and deserve stronger deterrence; a committee question raised whether the bill should instead be part of a broader, more proactive approach to assault statutes. The Department of Human Services also described safety steps such as panic buttons and phone apps for social workers. The excerpt ends before any final vote on HB 1098.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward excused, Mr. Woodson, Mr. Yamashita.
• miss templo<00:16:57.639> Mr<00:16:57.959> Todd templo Mr Todd templo Mr Todd Mr Mr Mr Ward
• <00:17:02.240> excused<00:17:03.240> Mr Ward excused Mr Ward excused Mr Woodson<00:17:05.240

Keywords: 910, house, all