Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just switch this one. >> Um, good afternoon, Senator.
• <00:27:59.120> and Senator Hironu and Senator Shots and Senator Hironu and Senator Shots and
• Thank you >> um, good afternoon, Senator.
• Good afternoon, Senator Rhodess and everyone.
• 24.320> and Good afternoon, Senator Rhodess and Good afternoon, Senator Rhodess and everyone.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the impact and legality of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Hawaii, with Chair Carl Rhodes framing it as the sixth and final interim briefing in a series on the rule of law and local effects of federal actions. He said the discussion would focus on due process concerns, questioning and detention of citizens and lawful immigrants, free speech issues, and pressure on state and local law enforcement, and noted the issues may be revisited in the 2026 regular session. There was no public testimony or committee vote; only invited speakers presented. Dr. Amy Agayani opened by arguing that immigrants are integral to Hawaii’s history, economy, and communities, and contrasted that with what she described as harmful narratives portraying immigrants as criminals. She cited figures that one in five Hawaii residents is foreign-born, that immigrants make up about 20% of the labor force and over 27% of entrepreneurs, and that roughly 40,000 people in Hawaii are undocumented, many of whom may have pathways to legal status but face language, information, and court barriers. She also said federal enforcement has expanded beyond undocumented immigrants to include citizens and lawful residents, and warned that attacks on birthright citizenship and visa categories could affect many families. Matina Mock of the legal clinic emphasized the complexity of immigration law and the severe lack of legal representation, noting a nationwide backlog of 11.3 million immigration-related applications and 3.4 million court cases, plus about 1,400 pending immigration cases in Honolulu with only two immigration judges. She said Hawaii has only six or seven nonprofit immigration legal service providers, and that represented clients are far more likely to obtain relief. Mock described a recent case involving a lawful student visa holder who was transferred among multiple federal facilities before being brought to Honolulu without clear notice, which she said illustrated due process violations. She also said ICE activity in Hawaii has sharply increased, with about 150 arrests from January to July 2025, a 380% increase over the same period in 2024, and that many detainees have no criminal record. Stephanie Haro Sevilla and another clinic fellow described 2025 enforcement as a major shift driven by a January executive order, the end of prior limits on arrests in sensitive locations, and arrest quotas they said require 3,000 arrests per day nationwide. They said this has led to arrests without warrants or probable cause, broader targeting of people with minor offenses or no criminal history, and the use of resources from other federal agencies and local law enforcement for civilian immigration enforcement. They also said the federal detention center in Honolulu is holding roughly 40 to 80 civilian detainees on any given day, often in conditions they characterized as prison-like, and warned that the current escalation could eventually affect lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The speakers urged the public to support immigrant-rights advocates and local protective policies and funding measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• it over to Senator Pratt. it over to Senator Pratt.
• I represent Senate District 54, which is most of Scott County, and I'm the Republican lead on the Senate
• single seat in the house and the senate single seat in the house and the senate is<01:20:36.480>
• 24:58.080> are<01:24:58.239> you >> Senator, just real quick, are you >> Senator
• :28.880> Heather credit, especially to Senator Heather credit, especially to Senator Heather Gustoen

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Transcript Highlights:

• So, it being a little later than the appointed time, we'll get an open committee hearing for the Senate
• It's been moved by Senator Donovan, seconded by Senator Rebecca Perkins Boas to move into executive session
• Seconded by Senator Penton, seconded by Senator Perkins Woka.
• Senator Penton, seconded by Senator Senator Penton, seconded by Senator Perkins<00:13:05.279> Woka

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Transcript Highlights:

• > 6,<00:02:23.440> which I represent Senate District 6, which I represent Senate District
• I appreciate Senator Gray's willingness to listen to us along with Senator Lang and Senator Waters when
• Waters<00:05:07.280> uh with Senator Lang and Senator Waters uh with Senator Lang and Senator
• Senator Lang, Senator Long. [laughter] >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senate Bill 301 is next up.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I opened the hearing here on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, and due to inclement weather, I'm going

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Amy Clolobashar. Senator Amy Clolobashar. >> All<00:04:26.479> right.
• I'm Senator Tina Smith.
• I am State Senator Lindsey Port. I represent Senate District 55 in the South Metro.
• You could do—but you know Senator McConnell is— He is Senator McConnell.
• >> he's Senator McConnell. >> he's Senator McConnell.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for joining us, Senator<00:01:11.119> France. Senator France. Senator France.
• Senator France. you have questions? Senator France.
• >> Senator<00:34:46.399> Coopek. >> Senator Coopek. >> Senator Coopek.
• >> Senator<00:43:21.599> Dibble. >> Senator Dibble. >> Senator Dibble.
• <00:54:37.680> Nelson, Senator France said, “Colleague, Senator Utke, Senator Nelson, Senator

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Fukunaga followed by Senator Rhodess.
• Senator Fukunaga followed by Senator Rhodess.
• Senator Fukunaga followed by Senator Rhodess.
• Senator Fukunaga followed by Senator Rhodess.
• Senator Rhodess.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs held an informational briefing on violent crime clearance rates and what resources law enforcement and prosecutors need to improve them. Chair and members noted there would be no public testimony. The briefing was led by Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center, with later participation expected from state and county law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. Clement argued that solving violent crime is a systemwide issue, not just a local police function, and said clearance rates have declined nationally over decades for homicide, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. He said Hawaii’s reported data, limited to Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, shows overall violent crime rates are lower than the national average and have been relatively flat with a pandemic-era spike followed by declines in 2023 and 2024. He reported that Hawaii’s overall violent crime solve rate fell from about 52% in 2014 to about 40% in 2024, with 2024 rates of 50% for homicides, 48% for aggravated assaults, and 26% each for rapes and robberies. He also estimated unsolved cases over the past three years at about 17 homicides, 3,300 aggravated assaults, 1,200 rapes, and 1,700 robberies. Members asked about victim and witness support, staffing shortages, the Denver example, whether clearance rates include cases not prosecuted, and whether HPD’s size or structure might affect solve rates. Clement said support can include victim-witness programs and coordinators that help maintain cooperation and trust, especially where clearance rates are low. He said resources, training, technology, and detective caseloads matter, citing Boston, Denver, and Omaha as cities that improved solve rates through relatively low-cost operational changes; he highlighted Denver’s increase in non-fatal shooting clearance from 39% to 65% in seven months after dedicating more resources. He said he had no research showing that breaking up a large department would improve solve rates, and noted that clearance data can include exceptional clearances such as victim noncooperation, prosecutorial declination, or a suspect’s death. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community Services and the lieutenant governor for helping us craft this measure and, of course, our Senate
• And at this point I'm going to turn it over to the Senate. >> Thank you. >> First, I also want to thank
• We want to thank the governor, the lieutenant governor, Senate President, Speaker, and members of the
• , governor, senate president, speaker, members<00:02:21.840> of<00:02:21.920> the<00:02
• :02:23.840> for members of the house and senate uh for members of the house and senate uh for

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing was an informational briefing on Act 310, which set aside $50 million for nonprofit and community organizations facing uncertainty, especially amid federal funding disruptions. Speakers thanked Aloha United Way for handling applications, as well as the governor, lieutenant governor, House and Senate leadership, and legislative staff for helping craft the measure and review more than 200 applications totaling over $150 million in requests. They noted the funding was intended as a safety net for organizations serving at-risk populations and those that had lost federal support, with priority given to healthcare, human services, education, the arts, and food distribution. The co-chair then presented the recommended award list, describing it as aimed at programs with broad reach and high impact. The list included a large number of nonprofits and community providers across the state, such as food banks, health centers, youth and family services, domestic violence and legal aid organizations, cultural and educational groups, and hospitals. Several of the larger awards mentioned included Hui Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, West Hawaii Community Health Center, The Food Basket, and multiple Maui and Oahu service organizations. After the full list was read, the chair asked for discussion or objections. Hearing none, the committee adopted the list of nonprofit awards as read. The briefing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:42:29.680> Inis, >> Senator Inis, >> Senator Inis, >> um
• >> Senator<00:43:27.359> Abs, >> Senator Abs, >> Senator Abs, >> thank
• Um Senator, Senator, Senator, >> my<00:46:39.119> gut<00:46:39.359> feeling<00:46
• >> Senator<00:57:57.440> second. >> Senator second. >> Senator second.
• Um, Senator Andis and Senator Ward and I have >> Oh, okay.

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Transcript Highlights:

• The oath will be taken by Senator-elect Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger from Senate District 47 and Senator-elect
• Ann Rest and Senator John Marty.
• Senator Anne Rest and Senator<00:04:21.919> John<00:04:22.240> Marty.
• <00:04:25.199> He's the president of the Senate. He's the president of the Senate.
• <00:08:01.199> I Minnesota Senate. Welcome to you both. I Minnesota Senate.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Uh<00:12:59.839> aloha<00:13:00.320> senators.
• Um mahalo for this Uh aloha senators.
• the shutdown discussions that the Senate the shutdown discussions that the Senate has<00:54:50.319
• >> Senator<01:35:18.719> Richardson. >> Senator Richardson.
• >> Senator Richardson.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held an informational briefing on digital assets, blockchain, and related regulatory developments. Chair Jarrett Keohoko said the committee was focusing on national and state policy issues around digital assets, while leaving the separate issue of Bitcoin kiosks and fraud to the House Consumer Protection Committee, which had already noticed a similar briefing. No public testimony was taken; the session was for informational updates and member questions. Representatives from the Aptos Foundation, including JC Yun and Michael Cheng, gave a detailed presentation on blockchain basics and Aptos’s technology. They described blockchain as a tamper-resistant digital ledger, explained proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems, and argued that proof-of-stake networks are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. They also emphasized smart contracts and potential uses beyond speculation, such as car titles, college transcripts, collectibles, digital IDs, real estate, and other tokenized assets. The presenters highlighted Aptos’s Hawaii connections and said the technology could help local residents and businesses participate in the digital economy. They cited adoption statistics, including billions of transactions on Aptos, tokenized money market funds from major financial firms, micro-lending applications, decentralized cloud infrastructure, and the rapid growth of stablecoins. They acknowledged concerns about scams and consumer protection, but argued that the answer is stronger regulation and education rather than avoiding the technology altogether.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hughes, Chairman Blanco, Senator Blanco, Senator Campbell, Senator Hall. Senator Hinojosa. Present.
• Thank you, Senator. At this time, I want to recognize Senator Hughes as being present.
• Thank you, Senator Cole. Of course, Senator Hall. Oh, thank you, Mr.
• Thank you, Senator Cole.
• And thank you, Senator, for pointing that out, Senator Campbell.

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Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, Senator Kim, any words?
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator. Um for the >> Okay. Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Uh Senator Kim. Yeah, >> Okay, understood. Uh Senator Kim.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: A joint informational briefing of the House and Senate higher education committees focused on how the University of Hawaiʻi athletics department plans to remain competitive in the new NIL era, including the effects of the House v. NCAA settlement, direct institutional payments, and the need to balance competitiveness with the university’s educational mission. Senators and committee members introduced themselves, and the briefing featured remarks from women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman, football coach Timmy Chang, and Athletic Director Matt Elliott. Coach Beeman said NIL has already affected recruiting and retention in women’s basketball, estimating the program has lost six to 10 student-athletes because it lacks the funding to keep comparable talent. She emphasized that the issue is not greed but retention, culture, and keeping student-athletes who value the university and community, while also using NIL as a way to teach financial literacy, privacy, and adult responsibilities. Coach Chang described similar pressures in football, including transfer portal volatility and competing offers from other programs, and gave examples of players whose personal and family circumstances made NIL support important for staying at Hawaiʻi. Athletic Director Elliott said the department’s vision is to create an outstanding student-athlete experience, recruit and retain elite athletes, compete at the top of the Mountain West, and strengthen community ties. He said the department wants to preserve the educational focus while adapting to a system in which student-athletes can share in revenue. Elliott explained that UH is seeking a $5 million annual NIL fund, is fundraising through the community and the “Boost the Bose” account, and is also pursuing individual NIL deals, corporate sponsorship-related deals, and licensing opportunities. In response to Senator Kim’s question, he said NIL compensation can come through two tracks: institutional payments within the department’s discretion and outside deals that must be reviewed for market value under the new reporting system. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:29:52.960> Man. Senator Man. Senator Man.
• Senator McQuade, Senator >> Any followup? Senator McQuade, Senator Man. Man. Man.
• Thank you, Senator Dibble. Senator McQuade.
• Senator >> Thank you, Senator Dibble. Senator Mcuade. Mcuade. Mcuade.
• Senator Mcuade. Dibble. Senator Mcuade.

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Transcript Highlights:

• talented team of two that runs the Senate's journaling office, which produces journals every day the Senate
• And having easy access to a record of senators' votes might just make yours a little easier next time
• If your senator is up for reelection, you can go back to any bill that might have been important to you
• <00:02:24.160> If<00:02:24.319> your<00:02:24.480> senators<00:02:24.879>
• If your senators up for [music] votes.

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Transcript Highlights:

• So you can direct your PowerPoint as you wish. >> Well, hello Senator RH, Senator Gabard.
• :38.879> Gabbard, appreciate my co-chair, Senator Gabbard, appreciate my co-chair, Senator Gabbard
• , but uh Senator Gabbert as Land Chair, but uh Senator Gabbert as the<00:03:55.920> A<00:03:56.159
• >> Well, hello Senator RH, Senator Gabard.
• >> Well, hello Senator RH, Senator Gabard.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment committees held an informational briefing on how recent federal policy changes, funding delays, cancellations, and layoffs are affecting Hawaii’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, and on the legality of some of those federal actions. Chair Carl Rhodes and Chair Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing it as part of an interim series on the rule of law and Hawaii’s response to federal actions. They noted there would be no public testimony, only invited presenters, and that questions would be held until the end. No votes or formal committee actions were taken. State climate change coordinator Leah Laramie described broad impacts from federal actions, including grant cancellations, litigation over terminated funding, staff cuts at NOAA and EPA, and the effect of the federal tax and spending law she said would raise energy costs, reduce grid reliability, and threaten renewable energy and transportation projects. She highlighted the loss or expiration of incentives for EVs and other clean-energy technologies, the termination of the Solar for All program and other rescissions, and the risk to major Hawaii projects such as Carbon Smart Commodities and other energy and land conservation programs. She also said the state’s attorneys general had taken numerous climate-related legal actions, including suits challenging federal cuts and the oil companies’ role in the climate crisis. Retired Justice Michael Wilson focused on the rule of law and climate justice, arguing that Hawaii is on the front line of climate change and that fossil fuel companies pose the greatest long-term threat. He said the state lacks a comprehensive climate protection plan despite the urgency of the crisis, cited UN and scientific warnings about a limited time horizon and severe warming, and pointed to projected local harms such as sea-level rise, beach loss, infrastructure damage, and major economic losses in Waikiki. His remarks emphasized the need for stronger planning and legal accountability, especially in light of federal rollbacks and the influence of fossil fuel interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:38:19.440> committees both the House and Senate committees both the House and Senate committees
• Aloha and good morning, Senator Del Cruz, Senator Kanuha, Representative Holt, and Representative Takenouchi
• >> Hello representatives and senators. >> Hello representatives and senators.
• Aloha, esteemed senators and representatives.
• > and >> Aloha, honorable senators and >> Aloha, honorable senators and representatives

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dibble. his thoughts. Senator Dibble.
• I am hoping that the five remaining Senate Democrats that it takes to at least get that continuing resolution
• Senator<02:41:53.520> Mcquade. Senator Mcquade. Senator Mcquade.
• But that continuing resolution could be voted on five Democrat senators.
• But that continuing resolution could be voted on five Democrat senators.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Mcu Senator your amendment.
• Senator Murphy. >> Yes. Senator Murphy.
• Senator Rashardi? Senator Rashardi?
• All right, Senator. Um, thank you, Senator Lang. Um, thank you, Senator Lang.
• Senator Rashardy and then Senator Senator Senator >> Mu.<00:51:35.839> Mine<00:51:36.079

Keywords: 1191, senate, all