Transcript Highlights:

• would you find, even if this law existed for the standard of criminal neglect, um, if there were an element
• The question I'd like to at least flesh out is that, on the parents' part, there might be an element
• And would you find, even if this law existed for the standard of criminal neglect, if there were an element
• a co-sponsor of the bill and appreciating how complicated the considerations of our multiple constituencies
• are on this I would just constituencies are on this I would just like<01:56:26.040> to<01:56:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so does that not kind of fulfill some of the de-escalation element that the prime sponsor was looking
• Um, so does that not kind of fulfill some of the de-escalation element that the prime sponsor was looking
• Um, so does that not kind of fulfill some of the de-escalation element that the prime sponsor was looking
• definitely can't use this funds for definitely can't use this funds for certain<06:00:53.920> elements
• of of our urban care, certain elements of of our urban care, which<06:00:57.600> really<06:00

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Skiing, boarding, they're all important elements of that next year.
• c> important Skiing, boarding, they're all important Skiing, boarding, they're all important elements
• <01:57:31.880> of<01:57:32.240> that elements of that elements of that next<01:57:33.680
• and I know we heard earlier today too that even with the nursing profession there are underlying elements

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not have the hands to ignite all the different elements of that facility. So why not?
• Now we got to cut out that element of even if we have a sound stage out there that they're going to utilize
• <01:59:15.079> cut<01:59:15.239> out<01:59:15.480> that<01:59:15.679> element
• <01:59:16.400> of now we got to cut out that element of now we got to cut out that element

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• certification and says you're certified to do that part of the work or the job that you do, and that's the element
• c><01:38:44.960> and<01:38:45.199> that's<01:38:45.520> the<01:38:45.679> element
• that you do and that's the element that you do and that's the element that's<01:38:46.400> missing

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for, because almost everything we talk about is not a constitutional amendment or a foundational element
• 01:15:47.840> or<01:15:48.480> a<01:15:48.800> foundational<01:15:49.280> element
• amendment or or a foundational element amendment or or a foundational element of<01:15:49.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're essential elements of a safe and responsive learning environment in 2026 and beyond.
• op optional extras.<01:20:52.159> They're<01:20:52.480> essential<01:20:52.800> elements
• They're essential elements of a extras.
• They're essential elements of a safe<01:20:53.679> and<01:20:53.840> responsive<01:20:54.320

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• They only really look at the tax element and not the spending element, which seems kind of only half
• They only really look at the tax element and not the spending element, which seems kind of only half

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the second element, as I said, the direction of the communication, you know, as the bill was
• And then the second<01:38:03.840> element<01:38:04.239> as<01:38:04.480> I<01:38
• :04.639> said<01:38:04.800> the<01:38:04.960> the second element as I said the the
• second element as I said the the direction<01:38:05.440> of<01:38:05.600> the<01:38:05.880

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up Senate Bill 268, a bill related to biological sex and related classifications. Members opposing the bill argued it was unnecessary, poorly drafted, and a personal attack on a small group of people, while supporters said it was needed to protect girls and women and to avoid repeated floor debate on a measure they viewed as proper. Several members also discussed the bill’s definition of biological sex, the lack of guidance on what information could be required to make determinations, and concerns about unintended consequences. The committee voted on a motion to retain the bill and approved it by a 10-8 roll call vote, with the bill retained. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 189, described by supporters as a housekeeping measure requested by the Secretary of State and the Department of Health and Human Services concerning fetal death records. Supporters said the bill was narrow, time-sensitive, and ready to pass, while opponents argued it needed further work and that the committee should not use retention to reopen the bill for broader changes. Some members said they wanted to add or explore additional provisions related to fetal death reporting, while others objected that such changes were outside the bill’s scope and poor procedure. After debate, the committee voted to retain Senate Bill 189 as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• until June 30, 2028, consistent with until June 30, 2028, consistent with other<00:32:26.960> elements
• > the<00:32:28.320> uh<00:32:28.559> proposal<00:32:28.960> in other elements
• of the uh proposal in other elements of the uh proposal in front<00:32:29.279> of front of front
• do want to give a note of caution about the new formula distribution mechanism for the cooperative element

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, somebody added a zero to an application element.
• 01:28:49.840> application know, to their to an application know, to their to an application element
• :28:52.159> again,<01:28:52.480> we<01:28:52.719> we<01:28:52.800> we element
• It's, you know, again, we we we element.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• statewide strategy for combating cyanobacteria in the state, and the plan did identify, among other elements
• identify in the state and the plan did identify among<00:17:18.240> other<00:17:18.559> elements
• the<00:17:19.520> need<00:17:19.679> for<00:17:19.919> more among other elements
• the need for more among other elements the need for more funding<00:17:20.559> for<00:17:20.799

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I kind of took a tour through the portfolio, the lowest-cost element in our portfolio is our passive
• ><00:13:04.959> the<00:13:05.120> lowest<00:13:05.560> cost<00:13:05.880> element
• <00:13:06.199> in the portfolio the lowest cost element in the portfolio the lowest cost element

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really important that we not try to bootstrap important jurisdictional elements that don't give
• jurisdictional uh bootstrap um important jurisdictional uh bootstrap um important jurisdictional elements
• > don't<00:04:45.720> give<00:04:45.960> defendants<00:04:46.400> an elements
• that don't give defendants an elements that don't give defendants an opportunity<00:04:47.000> to

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several fireworks-related bills. On HB 550, which would allow law enforcement to use drone recordings to establish probable cause for fireworks arrests in public areas and appropriate funds for drones, the Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure. The Public Defender and some public testifiers opposed it, arguing that a statute cannot mandate probable cause and that the bill raises constitutional concerns. A prosecutor later explained that the bill is intended to address Hawaiʻi case law, especially State v. Kit, which limits aerial surveillance over homes under the state constitution, and suggested that changing “shall” to “may” could reduce constitutional problems. Members also questioned whether current law already allows video evidence of fireworks violations and whether the bill was necessary. Testimony included both support and opposition from individuals and organizations, and no vote was taken during the hearing. The committees then heard HB 806, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The department and police supported the bill, while the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed it, arguing that fireworks are already illegal and that the measure adds unnecessary enforcement powers and constitutional risk. Committee members asked what “sting operation” means and whether the term should be defined more clearly; the department said it refers to police or criminal investigations involving deception and agreed a definition would help guide use of the funds. The department also said the funding would support training, storage, and other operational costs for undercover investigations. Finally, the committees heard HB 1483, a broader fireworks enforcement bill that would create an adjudication system for fireworks infractions, revise definitions and penalties, establish new offenses, and increase penalties when fireworks offenses cause injury or death. The Attorney General’s office strongly supported the bill, saying it would improve enforcement by clarifying definitions and allowing cases to be proven without particle testing or expert witnesses when fireworks leave no physical evidence. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported it. The Public Defender opposed the bill, focusing on the bill’s penalty enhancements for offenses that are rarely enforced and its concurrent trial provision, which it said raises problems because of the differences between civil and criminal proceedings. No final committee action or vote was reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• There’s quite a few other elements that they've been helping us with in the current biennium.
• <01:33:52.719> a<01:33:52.880> few<01:33:53.280> other<01:33:53.800> elements
• <01:33:54.239> that there's quite a few other elements that there's quite a few other elements

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The intention of that draft was to flesh out all of the main elements of Act 107 in light of the significant
• <01:35:58.280> of<01:35:58.440> the<01:35:58.639> main<01:35:59.000> elements
• c><01:35:59.719> of<01:36:00.119> act<01:36:00.840> 107 out all of the main elements
• of act 107 out all of the main elements of act 107 in<01:36:02.080> light<01:36:02.560> of

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure. HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices. HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota nice, Minnesota ice—I think there's positive and both elements here.
• 00:41:26.640> positive<00:41:27.000> IND<00:41:27.440> both<00:41:28.280> element
• <00:41:28.920> here there's positive IND both element here there's positive IND both element

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I remember when we talked about felony murder that it was, you know, I had a constituent who
• The major elements that would need to come out of our budget were, of course, the appropriation that
• The major elements that would need to come out of our budget were, of course, the appropriation that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've all heard about it from our constituents, and we've all heard and read about it in media.
• He asked how he should explain to constituents that it makes sense to have people who have a right to
• <02:13:55.440> that explain this to my constituents that explain this to my constituents that
• supposed to explain this to constituents supposed to explain this to constituents that<02:14:14.000
• When we, uh, when the representative asked, "How do I explain to my constituents that someone who is

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• internally, rotate all those encryption keys, and then it deletes the previous keys from a secure element

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met for its fourth hearing on emerging firearm technology, focused on personalized firearms and related privacy issues. Co-chairs noted the commission’s charge to study personalized firearm incentives, risks from digital manufacturing codes and AI, and the costs of requiring personalized firearm and microstamp technologies, and said the report deadline is being extended to July 31. They also announced the next public hearing for April 17 at 11:00 a.m., limited to Massachusetts residents. The first witness, Kai Kloepfer of Biofire, described the company’s personalized 9mm smart gun and argued it is designed to prevent unauthorized use through biometric authentication, local encrypted data storage, no wireless connectivity, and automatic disarming when released. He said Biofire opposes any mandate requiring personalized firearms, calling such mandates a de facto gun ban that would stifle innovation, limit consumer choice, and burden a still-developing market. He said the company has a patent portfolio, has received thousands of pre-orders, is shipping in all 50 states, and is approved for sale in Massachusetts; he also said the gun costs about $1,500, is currently sold online, and is intended mainly for home defense. Members questioned him about sales, manufacturing, battery life, repairability, transfer of ownership, possible expansion to other firearms, and whether microstamping could be incorporated. A Massachusetts firearms roster official, Michaela Dunn, explained the state’s testing and approval process for handguns and confirmed that the Biofire firearm is now on the Massachusetts roster and commercially available for retail sale in the state. Kate Crockford of the ACLU of Massachusetts testified only on facial recognition, warning that commercially available systems show significant demographic bias and that Massachusetts lacks comprehensive biometric privacy protections. She urged passage of pending data privacy and biometric privacy bills, including the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act and related measures, before any broader use of biometric verification in firearm laws. Commissioners discussed privacy concerns, and Biofire said its system is zero-knowledge and would likely comply with stronger biometric privacy laws. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported beyond the scheduling announcement and the extension effort.