Transcript Highlights:

• THANK YOU SENATOR ROUSON FOR THAT QUESTION.
• THAT IS CORRECT SENATOR HARRELL. >> Chair Grall: ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, SENATOR BRODEUR. >> Sen.
• THANK YOU SENATOR ROUSON.
• Brodeur: BY YOUR VOTE SHOWED CS FOR SENATE BILL 1736 REPORTED FAVORABLY, NEXT UP SENATE BILL 1286 BY
• AND ON TAB 2, SENATE BILL 1240. >> Sen.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SENATOR BURGESS. SENATOR CALATAYUD. SENATOR FINE. SENATOR GRUTERS. SENATOR INGOGLIA.
• SENATOR BOYD. SENATOR BURGESS. SENATOR CALATAYUD. SENATOR FINE. SENATOR GRUTERS. SENATOR INGOGLIA.
• SENATOR BOYD. SENATOR BURGESS. SENATOR CALATAYUD. SENATOR FINE. SENATOR GRUTERS. SENATOR INGOGLIA.
• SENATOR BOYD. SENATOR BURGESS. SENATOR CALATAYUD. SENATOR FINE. SENATOR GRUTERS. SENATOR INGOGLIA.
• SENATOR BOYD. SENATOR BURGESS. SENATOR CALATAYUD. SENATOR FINE. SENATOR GRUTERS. SENATOR INGOGLIA.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll hear Senate File 2038, Senator Dibble, to your bill.
• PA<00:22:04.880> do that uh Senator dible or Senator PA do that uh Senator dible or Senator
• Senator Hawj: Thank you. Senator Hawj: Welcome.
• Senator Jasinski: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Senator Hawj.
• you senator you senator okay<00:24:58.799> Senator<00:24:59.480> Nelson<00:25:00.480

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Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, Senator McUade, Senate File 2250. Up next, Senator McUade, Senate File 2250. Thanks, Mr.
• Senator May Quaid's Senate Next up is um Senator May Quaid's Senate file<00:43:55.920> um Am I
• Senator?
• You senator senator senator members<01:38:22.639> Senator<01:38:22.960> Abler.
• members Senator Abler. members Senator Abler.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 285 and we thank Senator Senate Bill 285 and we thank Senator Roser<00:12:09.160>
• As the bill moved through the Senate, Senator Apprentice represented the Senate on the study committee
• Senator Larson was the leader of the Senate Democrats for over a decade and served as the Senate President
• All right, Senator. Senate Bill 189 first, since she is here.
• <02:24:20.080> m that Senator m that Senator m Senate<02:24:22.319> Bill<02:24:22.840

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Transcript Highlights:

• It's been moved by Senator Roswell, seconded by Senator Supp? to go into executive session.
• We have one bill left, Senate Bill 275.
• <00:06:02.199> Bill we have one bill left Senate Bill we have one bill left Senate Bill 275
• Senator Sullivan to move itl on Senate Senator Sullivan to move itl on Senate Bill<00:11:08.200>
• Moved by Senator Murphy, seconded by Senator Su... to come out of executive session.

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Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the clerk will call the roll: Senator Barfoot, Senator Carley, Senator Coleman, Senator Elliott, Senator
• Hatcher, Senator Hovy, Senator Jones.
• Senator Hatcher, Senator Hovy, Senator Jones, Senator Kitchens, Senator Livingston, Senator Price, Senator
• Roberts, Senator Singleton, Senator Smitherman, Senator Wagner, Senator Williams.
• Senator Wagner, Senator Williams, Senator Shellnut.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Rhodess. I. Senator Decoy I. Senator Rhodess. Senator<00:51:45.680> Awa.
• Senator Awa. I chair of Senator Rhodess. Senator Awa.
• <00:59:06.240> Senator votes I. Senator decoy I. Senator votes I. Senator decoy I.
• Senator Decoy. I. Senator Rhodess, no. Senator Decoy. I. Senator Rhodess, no.
• Senator Decoy I. Senator Rhodess.<01:01:29.520> Senator.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 643, House Draft 2, which would create short-term management initiatives and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Committee discussion focused on biocontrol efforts, including fungus and virus-based treatments, the need for a biosecure facility, and the timeline for testing and range studies. Department of Agriculture officials said initial testing is underway at the University of Hawaii, but full testing requires a higher-biosafety facility that is not yet available on island. Members also discussed funding levels, the possibility of a mobile facility, and whether the work could be accelerated. The committees later voted to pass HB 643 unamended. The committees also heard House Bill 736, House Draft 1, which would establish a three-year wastewater system and individual wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center. Supporters said the bill could help certify new, lower-cost decentralized wastewater technologies and reduce the cost of cesspool upgrades while improving water quality. University of Hawaii witnesses explained that the center would test technologies, collect samples, analyze results, and provide reports to the Department of Health for certification. Members raised concerns about whether the program would help communities facing immediate wastewater issues, the length of the testing timeline, and whether technologies like the Genki ball could be included. The committee was told the pilot would likely test one technology at a time over about nine months each, though multiple tests could run in parallel later. The committees voted to pass HB 736 unamended. After those measures, the joint committee moved to an AEN-only agenda and began hearing STR 111 / SR 92, which declares a public health emergency relating to climate change and calls for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Testimony in support came from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others. Supporters said climate change affects public health through heat, wildfire risk, invasive mosquitoes, and other impacts, and argued that the response should involve agriculture, planning, transportation, and emergency management, not just the Department of Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:04.200> okay<00:22:05.000> uh Senator okay uh Senator okay uh now<00:22:08.039><
• Yes, Senator Meli wanted to speak to D and followed by Senator alant.
• <00:27:46.399> Meli yes Senate well I'm sorry Senator Meli yes Senate well I'm sorry Senator
• Yes, Senator Dort, thank you.
• Thank you so much. think I remember Senator uh Ros Baker think I remember Senator uh Ros Baker came<00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard SR 18, which asks DLNR to transfer active agricultural land leases to the Department of Agriculture to support agriculture. DLNR, through Don Chang, opposed the resolution, saying the department has already been transferring parcels by mutual agreement and should not be required to transfer lands it does not consent to. Ranchers and agricultural advocates strongly supported the measure, arguing that the lands are active production areas, that partial transfers would undermine ranching operations, and that water infrastructure built by ranchers must be protected. Testimony from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and others emphasized the importance of preserving agricultural land for food production, wildfire management, and long-term ranch viability. Committee members pressed both sides on acreage, specific parcels, and whether negotiations were still ongoing, with DLNR later clarifying that some parcels remain under negotiation and that some proposed transfers have been narrowed or adjusted. Several specific ranches and parcels were discussed, including Batello, Diamond B, Delo, Nobriga, and Kapala Ranch. Witnesses described the operational importance of water systems, grazing areas, and access routes, and said that losing productive acreage would threaten business viability. Some members expressed concern that the proposal appeared to transfer productive land while leaving less useful land with ranchers, and urged the department to continue transparent negotiations and consider the practical impact on agriculture and conservation. A DLNR representative said some transfers were tied to other needs, such as transportation mitigation, and not to a broader effort to take more land. The Department of Agriculture later stated it supports the intent of the measure, but suggested its concerns would likely be addressed if the resolution were narrowed to the specific parcels at issue. The chair also announced that the related House bill on the same subject remains alive and will be heard by Water and Land on Thursday. After concluding SR 18, the committee moved on to SCR 51 and SR 33, which seek a working group to evaluate establishing and administratively placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development indicated support for the concept, noting the office’s value in Maui wildfire recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hashimoto, aye. Senator Kole, aye. Senator Fella, aye. Recommendation is adopted. Chair.
• c> Senator Aino, um Senator Hashimoto for Senator Aino, um Senator Hashimoto for Health<00:59:18.799>
• <00:59:23.119> Ko Senator Champ from Waterland, Senator Ko Senator Champ from Waterland, Senator
• Chair and Vice Chair vote aye, Senator Hashimoto aye, Senator Ko aye, Senator Fevella aye.
• I senator McCelie. Yes. Senator Dort. I senator McCelie. Yes. Senator Dort. No. No. No.

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Summary: The committee opened its Health and Human Services calendar, noted quorum, and first took up HB 194. The chair explained amendments to add an exemption for a person invited by a patient to attend a birth outside an accredited birth facility when no compensation is involved, remove a date reference in section 9, and accept Department of Health amendments. Members raised no objections, and the committee voted to pass HB 194 with amendments. The committee then heard HB 139 on insurance, with the Attorney General flagging possible unlawful delegation issues and suggesting clarifying language, while the Insurance Division stood on written testimony. A number of health organizations and advocates, including HMSA, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, oncology and fertility groups, testified in support. HB 613 on homeless youth drew broad support from state agencies, counties, youth advocates, and community groups; testimony emphasized the need for permanent safe spaces and more attention to unaccompanied minors, with one witness asking for clarity on funding and shelter capacity. HB 71 on a tax credit for family caregivers drew support from AARP, Alzheimer’s and children’s advocates, and several individuals, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and the cost-effectiveness of administering a small credit. The Department of Taxation said a prior version with a $5,000 nonrefundable credit would have cost the general fund about $397.4 million. HB 716 on health care technology support received strong support from SHPDA, OHIN, and many provider groups, who described it as a one-time investment of roughly $20–25 million to connect rural and neighbor island providers to electronic health records; members questioned how the grant program would be allocated. HB 799 on physician hospital privileges also drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would align Hawaii with updated CMS rules and improve access, especially on Maui, while Maui Health and some members worried it could reduce on-call coverage and hospital safety, leading to discussion of a possible report and sunset date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Senator, we did.
• Senator Shimabukuro, aye. Senator Kan, aye. Senator Dort, aye.
• Senator Fukunaga excused. Senator Hashimoto votes I. Senator Fevella excused. Measure adopted.
• Senator fukunaga excused Senator votes I Senator fukunaga excused Senator Hashimoto<01:23:37.440>
• Senator Kidani, aye. Vice Chair, aye. Senator Hashimoto, aye. Senator Kanuha, aye.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 110, HD1, which would clarify local food purchase goals for the Department of Education. DOE said it supports the measure and will work toward the 30% local food mandate by 2030. The Department of Agriculture also supported the bill, and outside advocates from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaii Farm to School Network strongly backed it as consistent with prior farm-to-school laws and helpful for measuring progress toward the goal. The committee then took up House Bill 293, which would exempt certain DOE purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products from electronic procurement rules and allow written-quote purchasing thresholds, including a lower quote requirement for some rural schools. DOE, the Department of Agriculture, the State Procurement Office, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported the measure, describing it as a tool to help the department test and add local products and meet the 30% goal. However, members pressed DOE on the bill’s purpose and mechanics, questioning why the department could not simply add products to vendor lists or use existing procurement flexibility. DOE explained it was trying to test new local products, including products not yet on the USDA-approved list, and said the bill would allow limited pilot purchases while it works through USDA approval and vendor-list updates. Members also raised concerns about whether the bill was being used to bypass procurement and whether small farmers or aggregators could realistically supply the needed volume. House Bill 1069, which would add two voting members representing DOE and the Board of Education to the School Facilities Authority, also drew support from DOE and the Board of Education. Supporters said the change would improve accountability, strategic input, and communication on school facilities matters. SFA testified that it has already increased coordination with DOE through regular meetings and that recent discussions have been more robust. Committee members questioned whether voting seats were necessary given that DOE and BOE could already attend meetings and receive updates, and they raised concerns about how a voting representative would report back and whether the measure would actually solve communication problems. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:37:36.400> Rocky. Senator Rocky. Senator Rocky.
• Senator<00:38:09.920> Amler. Senator Amler. Senator Amler.
• Senator Mann, you have Senate File 1574. Senator Mann, you have Senate File 1574.
• Senator<01:20:54.400> Adkkey. Senator Adkkey. Senator Adkkey.
• Um, so Senator comments, Senator Mann?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much, Senator Clark. Senator Utke, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Senator Putnam?
• Senator Oumou Verbeten: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Senator, for the question.
• Thank you, Senator. Senator Oumou Verbeten: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Senator Oumou Verbeten: Thank you, Senator.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator.
• kunish moves that Senate file um Senator kunish moves that Senate file 42<01:11:01.920> be<01
• Senator Kunesh, if you would like to move Senate File 1404. So moved. Thank you, Senator Kunesh.
• Senator Kunesh, if you would like to move Senate File 1404. So moved. Thank you, Senator Kunesh.
• Okay, Senate File 81 is laid over for possible inclusion. Senate File 349.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, thank you, Senator Mann.
• Thank you, Senator Cwodzinski. Uh, Senator Mann, any additional comments?
• Senator Gustiffson moves that Senate Senator Gustiffson moves that Senate File<00:04:58.639>
• Thank you, Senator Johnson. All right. Thank you, Senator Johnson.
• Senator Champion and and Mr. adopted. Senator Champion and and Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all