Transcript Highlights:

• Whether you're here watching it virtually or here in person, I'm glad that you have joined us.
• Yeah, I'll just give you my personal experience. You know, I got on the board eight years ago.
• I had a statement, and my statement is coming from a person who truly understands this process, a person
• If I'm going to the grocery store, I am a person of color.
• Sorry for missing the support line. That's okay. Thank you so much. Got it.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Miss Winters started with her grandson Colin 9 years ago.
• Well, Miss Winters, we will save you a seat every game this year.
• And Miss to be part of your family.
• Well,<01:48:35.320> Miss<01:48:35.600> Winters, Well, Miss Winters, Well, Miss Winters,
• to take a point of personal privilege if I<01:49:32.480> could.

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• opposed for missing opposed for missing Mr<00:23:30.760> chair<00:23:31.240> question<
• four of this bill uh maybe I'm missing four of this bill uh maybe I'm missing something<01:35:24.440
• <01:53:27.199> from um also one thing that is missing from um also one thing that is missing
• with you but again we have plenty person with you but again we have plenty person in<03:21:32.080
• in your town because they missed it.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on HB 650, a housekeeping-style bill from the Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds. Testimony explained that the bill would remove references to two already-repealed dedicated funds, split the state parks dedicated fund so Cannon Mountain winter activities would be tracked separately from the rest of the parks system, and place a $1 million cap on the robotics education fund so excess money would revert to the general fund. Supporters said the changes were mainly administrative but would improve accounting and avoid timing issues; committee members asked about a typographical error in the bill text and whether the measure was more than housekeeping. The committee later voted 16-0 to recommend HB 650 ought to pass, and then placed it on the consent calendar. The committee also opened a public hearing on HB 585, which would revise the property tax exemption for religious organizations. Representative John Janigian, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to help small churches and other religious groups that own parsonages or worship buildings but no longer have a resident pastor, allowing them to rent space or use property for church purposes without losing the exemption so long as the money is used for church operations, maintenance, or outreach. He described his Salem church’s parsonage being taxed after it was no longer occupied by a pastor, and said the bill would prevent similar burdens on small congregations. Former Representative Betty Gay testified in support, describing prior assessor actions in Salem that taxed church land and buildings very aggressively, while a Municipal Association representative testified in opposition. Committee members raised questions about how terms such as “regularly recognized and constituted denomination” would be defined, whether the bill could be applied consistently to larger denominations with multiple parishes, and whether legislative research should review past treatment of similar cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• the the person the B had not reported. the the person the B had not reported.
• you you you arguing that we're missing you you you arguing that we're missing the<00:30:59.120><
• Glenn of Hawaii in person in support.
• >> I I missed the uh hearing part of it. I >> I I missed the uh hearing part of it.
• form and shall not include personally form and shall not include personally identifying<01:15:27.199

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• are in Room 447, which is a different room than normal for us, and the hearing room is open for in-person
• But having a credible way to estimate how much housing a rezoning would produce does seem like a missing
• piece Way to estimate how much housing a rezoning would produce does seem like a missing piece of a
• So I'm going to be supporting this measure today personally. Do we have more? I'll get back to you.
• Is there anyone we're missing? Thank you. We need Mr. Tangipa back. All right.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anybody else I missed? Just for the purposes of the minutes. Just for the purposes of the minutes.
• returning citizens are returning to, and we can assist them and returning citizens by making those in-person
• But there’s a lot of missing pieces in it where, when they were looking at it at the original beginning
• I think that I personally—” “I think that I personally am hoping that we will fill out our visits to,
• I definitely feel that, you know, we focused on the sheriffs and the DOC, but kind of a missing partner

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on June 15 with co-chairs Senator Will Brownsberger and Representative Dan Hunt. After deciding not to approve prior meeting summary notes at this session, the commission heard testimony from the Massachusetts Parole Officers Association (Brian Lucier and Shauna Hawksley). They described parole officers’ work in both institutions and the community, including housing, mental health, substance use, employment, education, and benefits referrals, and argued that parole officers often know local service providers best. They also said the former reentry navigator positions were lost in 2025 and that regional reentry centers used in the past helped reduce duplication and improve information sharing; they urged more funding, staffing, and training, and said parole should be better integrated with MPTC/POST training and with community-based reentry resources. Commission members asked about the relationship between parole and Community Justice Support Centers, training and arrest authority, revocation practices, and coordination with sheriffs and the Department of Correction. The witnesses said CJSC access is limited by location, transportation, and scheduling, while parole’s older reentry centers were referral-based and did not require regular attendance. They also said parole officers are special state police officers with arrest authority, receive a parole-specific academy plus firearms/defensive tactics/first responder training, and would benefit from more formal reentry training. On revocations, they said they lacked data but believed parole now returns fewer people for mental health or first-time substance use issues and focuses more on public safety threats. They also said collaboration with sheriffs and DOC reentry staff is generally good but still suffers from duplicative referrals and last-minute changes that can undo work done inside facilities. After testimony, the commission discussed next steps, including extending its reporting deadline from September 30 to November 30 through the pending budget, finishing remaining DOC facility visits in the fall, and holding additional meetings on mental health and other unresolved issues. Members also discussed whether to seek more input from the judiciary and district attorneys, with agreement to continue outreach and document responses. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, and the commission indicated it would reconvene in the fall.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess my question is, from personal experience, that you quit paying on a lot of drugs.
• And am I missing anything? And so that was just... ...program? Yes, sir. Okay.
• And am I missing anything?
• And, Senator Hickey, I missed you there. No, it's my fault.
• And I personally think that Mr.

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. The committee approved formulary changes for March and April that favored lower-cost generics, removed some new-to-market drugs from coverage pending more evidence, and made maintenance changes to migraine and diabetes medications. Members also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that would route those therapies through prior authorization rather than automatic coverage; officials said the process should not delay urgent cases and that no current members would be affected. The committee then reviewed a UAMS pharmacy benefit consultant contract amendment, but after extended discussion about the written scope and dollar amounts, the motion was approved with the understanding that any use of optional services would return to the committee for further review. The committee also reviewed the U.S. Able Mutual/Blue Advantage third-party administration contract and the CompSack employee assistance program contract, which officials said would reduce per-member costs and add services. The subcommittee approved proposed 2027 rates for state employees and public employees, with a 9.8% increase for state employees and a 4.9% increase for public school employees. Officials also reported that the UnitedHealthcare rebid was in its final negotiation stage and would return in August, with medical and pharmacy coverage split as previously recommended. In response to questions, the director said the division was considering broader preventive-care offerings, including weight-loss drug coverage, but would proceed cautiously and with strong utilization controls and holistic support if such a program were adopted. On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules making prior temporary rules permanent, a contingency-fee subrogation contract, and renewals for claims management, actuarial services, and investment management. Members raised concerns about Sedgwick’s claim-adjustment timeliness and communication with school districts after severe weather events; officials said performance guarantees and communication expectations had been strengthened, but the renewal was kept at three years for continuity. Finally, the committee approved 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which included no change to minimum deductibles, a 10% overall rate reduction, and bucketed rate changes by entity type. Officials said the captive program was working as intended, with improved actuarial support and claims experience, and the meeting adjourned after the approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• CHAIRMAN, MY BILL BINDERS SEEMS TO BE MISSING SOMETHING HERE.
• MY BILL BINDERS SEEMS TO BE MISSING SOMETHING HERE. I AM SORRY.
• I NOTICED A HUGE DECLINE IN MY PERSONAL GARDEN OF INSECTS.
• BUT I WILL GIVE A PERSONAL ANTIDOTE IN THAT I RECENTLY MOVED TO SAINT AUGUSTINE.
• FOR VOTES THEY MISSED. SO EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but Miss Sasha, please call the roll. Vice Chair Susan Witten: Hello, thank you, uh, Chairman.
• Um, but Miss Sasha, please call the roll. Chair: Yes, absolutely.
• Um, but Miss Sasha, please call the roll.
• Um, but Miss Sasha, please call the roll. Roll call: Representative Baker.
• Sasha please call the but miss Sasha please call the role<00:01:22.960> representative<00:01:

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 01:21 HB 552 Discussion 04:54 HB 552 Vote 07:12, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation held its first meeting of the 2025 session, welcomed new members and Vice Chair Susan Tyler Whitten, reviewed committee procedures, and introduced staff. Members also introduced several guests, including family members, interns, and visitors from Kenton County. The chair noted there were no minutes to approve because it was the first meeting. The committee then heard House Bill 552 from Judge Executive John Sims of Falmouth County, who said the bill is a joint effort supported by KLC and the County Judge/Executive Association. He explained that the measure makes minor wording changes, replacing references to “jurisdiction” with “county or city” and changing “chairman” to “chair,” with the goal of ensuring smaller communities retain representation on local tourist commissions. Chair King added that the bill would allow a mayor or judge executive to appoint a county resident to a tourism board even when the tax district or business ownership crosses city-county lines. After brief discussion and no further questions, the committee voted on the bill. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, with members present voting yes and Representative Whitaker explaining his support by saying tourism is a team effort in the counties. House Bill 552 passed out of committee and was sent to the House floor for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I think, Chair, uh, you miss the whole point. You’re completely missing the point.
• >> The only person with that power is ADC.
• >> The only person with that power is ADC.
• Miss<00:31:38.960> Gaty.
• something that maybe um got missed something that maybe um got missed during<01:22:24.080> the

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2407, SB3320

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you tell me how many missed it.
• section that was previously missed. section that was previously missed. 25.10,<01:41:06.520>
• Uh, the OMBbuds person reimbursement.
• The OMBbuds person for adjustment.
• <02:21:58.399> for ongoing on line 841 is the person for ongoing on line 841 is the person

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once a quorum is present, I will announce that, but right now we're waiting for one other person in order
• I will announce that, but right now we're waiting for one other person in order to make sure that we
• time all right to uh uh Miss Dannon you time all right to uh uh Miss Dannon you want<00:23:43.840>
• I missed what you said there. Senate File 221? Is that the one we're starting with?
• what you said forward and I I missed what you said there<00:31:32.360> 221<00:31:33.200> is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state's missing out on revenue.
• terms of the disclosure of personal terms of the disclosure of personal information information
• It's not for personal— >> Right?
• It's not for personal, the distinction. It's not for personal, >> right?
• might count missing. might count missing.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, I think we have the nominee online, Miss Miamoto.
• I personally am not involved or have seen that.
• I personally am not involved or have seen that.
• I personally am not involved harassed.
• Okay, Miss Timberman. Yeah. Sorry, the mic.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered multiple gubernatorial nominations, beginning with several appointments to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund board. Testimony on the Hurricane Relief Fund nominees was overwhelmingly in support from the DCCA Insurance Division, Hawaii Insurance Council, Hawaii Insurers Council, the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, and various individuals and industry representatives. Nominees Michael Naka, Marie White, Raina Miamoto, Leslie Door, Edward Hike, and Gwen McDonald were discussed, with Miamoto and Hike offering brief remarks about the need to address hurricane insurance affordability, condo coverage, and the importance of attracting reinsurers. The committee spent substantial time questioning Hike about the fund’s strategy, including whether to keep eligibility broad in the first phase to move quickly into the reinsurance market, how much capital would be available, and whether later policy refinements such as owner-occupancy requirements could be added after an initial rollout. Hike said the fund intended to start with broad parameters to secure reinsurance and then consider more targeted changes later, and he indicated further responses to prior committee questions would be submitted later that day. No votes were taken during the excerpted discussion. The committee then moved to other nominations. Terresa Hernandez was considered for the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic, with support from the board, and she said chiropractic had been a passion for her for seven years. Terrence Aratani was considered for the Board of Nursing, with support from the Board of Nursing, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others. During questioning, a senator raised concerns from constituents about a 2019 grant-related controversy involving a proposed resiliency hub project; Aratani responded that his organization had partnered on a grant-in-aid proposal, later withdrew when the project scope changed substantially, and said no money was transferred to the other group. Cheryl Schultz Hansen was also considered for the Board of Nursing and described her long nursing and teaching background, while a senator asked about alleged pressure on nurses to participate in employee give-back campaigns at Hawaii Pacific Health and the University of Hawaii; Hansen said the campaigns were voluntary and she was unaware of harassment, though she acknowledged managers may feel pressure to encourage participation. The excerpt ends before any final committee actions or votes on these nominations are announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• return for that, and it's a significant amount as you can imagine, not just for the student or the person
• return for that, and it's a significant amount as you can imagine, not just for the student or the person
• I had to miss last week's session.
• I'm the person that broke the chain in my family.
• I'm the person that broke the chain in my family.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: Aaron Thompson, president of the Council on Postsecondary Education, and Travis Pal briefed the committee on Kentucky higher education performance, affordability, workforce alignment, and budget needs. Thompson said the state has made progress toward its 60x30 attainment goal, reporting 56.2% of adults with a credential of value and a 6.4% one-year increase in credentials. He highlighted gains in completion, enrollment recovery after COVID, lower student borrowing and debt, and faster degree completion, saying Kentucky is now back to an average of 4.1 years for four-year degrees. He also emphasized that postsecondary education has a strong return on investment for both students and the state. A major theme was student success and access. Thompson described efforts to reduce barriers through test-optional admissions, the elimination of zero-credit developmental education, expanded wraparound supports, and Bridge programming for students not fully prepared for college. He also promoted Futurity, a student-facing information website, and said CPE wants modest ongoing funding to maintain it. He argued that higher education must work in a P-20 system with K-12, and that the state should better communicate the value of certificates, trade programs, and other credentials, especially for adult learners and men, who he said are underrepresented in college-going. The presentation also focused on performance funding, capital needs, and workforce initiatives. Thompson and Pal said performance funding has pushed institutions toward more need-based aid and lower costs for low-income students, but they want more base funding, more performance funding dollars, and relief from about $38 million in mandated tuition waivers. They also said asset preservation and deferred maintenance remain major needs, estimating roughly $7 billion in campus need overall. On workforce, they cited healthcare pipeline work supported by state funding and private partners, and said HB 200 continues that effort into aviation, aerospace, and defense. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the presentation, which ended with members indicating interest in further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up today, members, we have the state demographer, Miss Brower.
• First up today, members, we have the state demographer, Miss Brower.
• immigration Miss Brower on on<00:15:19.920> that<00:15:20.519> 22<00:15:21.519> uh<
• State um uh on page number five Miss State um uh on page number five Miss brow<00:42:46.040>
• And, to be honest, I'm not sure it was me that personally spoke to her, but I personally asked somebody

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you feel like we've missed anything? You know, because this is new.
• Do you feel like we've missed anything?
• So for us personally, that's a big one.
• Am I missing this somewhere, Madam Chair?
• It's no longer Just a simple one-person shop where it made sense to put them in the county buildings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Broadband gave me the opportunity to become the first person in my family to earn a college degree and
• opportunity to become the first person opportunity to become the first person in<00:05:12.639>
• Miss Mackey, welcome.
• Miss Mackey, welcome.
• Miss Mackey: Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Representative.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• especially this my opinion, personal especially this my opinion, personal opinion,<01:53:32.400>
• <04:22:06.720> in and afford to have the second person in and afford to have the second person
• >> Can Do I really want to be the person >> Can Do I really want to be the person giving
• <04:38:33.039> for missed opportunities, less chances for missed opportunities, less chances
• partners for every person needing care. partners for every person needing care.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And for persons providing in-person<00:10:54.240> testimony, in-person testimony, in-person testimony
• I kind of do miss that personal type approach that used to happen, where they're actually looking at
• I kind of do miss that personal type approach that used to happen, where they're actually looking at
• That person was eight. Now they're back to seven because that person doesn't vote.
• That person was eight. Now they're back to seven because that person doesn't vote.

Keywords: 1189, house, all