Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Melby, aye. Senator Richards, aye. Senator Aino, aye. Senator Decoy, excuse.
• Senator El, aye. Senator Hashimoto, Senator Ino, Senator Kidani, aye. Senator Kim, excuse.
• > Ino<00:02:41.760> Senator Senator Hashimoto Senator Ino Senator Senator Hashimoto Senator
• Kim kuha hi Senator kidani I Senator Kim excuse<00:02:46.560> Senator<00:02:47.040> Le
• excuse Senator Le hi Senator excuse and excuse Senator Le hi Senator excuse and Senator<00:02:51.440

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and the Committee on Ways and Means held a joint hearing on S.P. 1365, which concerns the interstate medical licensure compact. The bill would authorize the Hawaii Medical Board, as the state of principal license, to investigate and request criminal history records for qualified physicians seeking licensure through the compact. Testimony was strongly supportive. SHIPA, the Hawaii Medical Board, Queen’s Health Systems, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, HMSA, and the Hawaii Medical Association all supported the measure. The Hawaii Medical Association said the bill would help move the compact forward as part of Hawaii’s access-to-care strategy and noted that nearly 200 physicians have already come in through the compact. After brief discussion, no members raised questions or objections. The committees recommended passage of the measure unamended. The motion was adopted by vote, with several members voting aye and a few excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang: Aye. Senator Samura: Aye. Senator OA: Aye. The measure passes. Thanks very much.
• Vice chair Wai Senator Chang hi Senator Vice chair Wai Senator Chang hi Senator San<00:02:05.680>
• Reservations for Senator Bentura? Senator A: No. Vice Chair votes no. And the measure passes.
• questions or concerns if not Senator questions or concerns if not Senator card<00:07:13.000>
• questions or concerns if not Senator questions or concerns if not Senator gabard<00:08:34.000>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and took up a series of bills, mostly approving them with amendments. SB 1032 on campaign finance passed with amendments to change the certification process for business entities, add a severability-type provision if foreign-influence conditions are struck down, and note a related Minnesota federal case. SB 401 on firearms passed with amendments to exclude shotguns, grandfather legally registered devices in place as of the effective date, and add committee report findings; SB 382 on procurement confidentiality passed as is; SB 598 extending deadlines for administrative driver’s license revocation review decisions passed as is; SB 771 on HHFDC board leadership passed as is; and SB 1318 clarifying water pollution enforcement jurisdiction passed as is. The committee also approved SB 1657 with an amendment removing authority to condemn public property, SB 1102 with an amendment making the Fire Council the source of nominees for the aircraft rescue fire fighting chief, and SB 100 with amendments replacing the original substance with a prohibition on fingerprinting nonprofit liquor-license board members during background checks and limiting the bill to counties under 500,000 population. SB 170 and SB 1296, both related to special management area exemptions for affordable housing and disaster-related reconstruction, passed with amendments incorporating Office of Planning, Sustainable Development, and Attorney General changes to narrow and clarify the exemptions. Finally, SB 363, a cleanup bill related to firearm parts and ghost gun laws, was considered with amendments that deleted a proposed new penalty section, revised existing firearms statutes, removed an unnecessary definition, and expanded penalties to include indeterminate imprisonment terms. Despite the amendments, the measure was not adopted because the Vice Chair voted no. The committee then adjourned and announced a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, Senator Kouchi. Hi, Senator Kimani. Hi, Senator Kim. Hi, Senator Lee. Hi, Senator Wai? Yes.
• If not, Senator Gabard here?
• questions or concerns if not Senator questions or concerns if not Senator gabard<00:01:36.439>
• here R Hice Shai Senator Chang hi Senator<00:01:40.159> San<00:01:40.600> matura<00:01
• San matura hi Senator OAS hi Senator San matura hi Senator OAS hi measures<00:01:44.040> adopted<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Judiciary committee met in decision-making mode and took up a long list of measures, mostly recommending passage with or without amendments. Early actions included S.B. 414, which was amended to blank the appropriation, draw funds from the major disaster fund, and change the effective date to 2050, and S.B. 223, which would require fire breaks in hazardous fire areas and create or expand wildland fire prevention and protection programs with blank appropriations for FY 2026 and 2027. The committee also advanced S.B. 1009 on state reserve parking space enforcement, S.B. 1149 on reported hate crime definitions and reporting, S.B. 402 on mooring-line requirements for certain vessels, S.B. 1441 on the Oahu regional health care system transfer, S.B. 1442 on child and adolescent mental health responsibilities, S.B. 1478 on harbor evacuation orders, and S.B. 493 on written notice for emotional support animal sales or verifications. Members generally raised little opposition, and most measures were adopted without reservations. Some bills drew brief discussion or committee-report notes, including S.B. 1149, which referenced a Hawaii Civil Rights Commission report encouraging policy-level hate crime data reporting, and S.B. 1442, which was amended with a far-future effective date and a committee-report note about whether mental health services should be expressly subject to funding. S.B. 1441 was substantially revised to require a memorandum of agreement between the Oahu Regional Health Care System and the Department of Health by November 30, 2025, with patient care to begin by December 31, 2025, and a report to the legislature before the 2026 session. The committee also considered several finance and energy-related measures. S.B. 897 on the wildfire liability trust fund prompted questions about whether costs would be passed to consumers; the response was that the proposal contemplated cost sharing and that some amounts were still blank. S.B. 1395 and S.B. 1396 were amended to remove special-fund structures, direct revenues into the general fund, and require the governor to include equivalent amounts in the executive budget for climate-related projects. S.B. 501 was amended to expand step-in agreement provisions for future PPAs and establish a fund outside the State Treasury, and S.B. 1589 was amended so private donations to the stadium authority would go into the NID special fund for stadium infrastructure and sod, with members discussing accountability and the source of stadium-related consultant spending. The committee adopted the recommendations on all measures considered, with some members noting reservations on a few bills, and one item, S.B. 1418, was deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kidani here. Senator Kidani. Senator Kim. Senator Lee. Senator McKelvey.
• Introduction of measures: Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 17 and Senate Resolution No. 13 for referral
• introduction of measures Senate introduction of measures Senate concurrent<00:03:06.080> resolution
• number 17 and concurrent resolution number 17 and Senate<00:03:07.920> resolution<00:03:08.440
• resolution number 13 for referral Senate resolution number 13 for referral to<00:03:10.000> committee

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, Senators.
• Hello, Senators. My name is Indra Gasar.
• Senate Bill 301, passing unamended. SB 301 SD1. Vice Chair votes I. Senator Deco I.
• Senator Rhodes I. Senator A no. Chair, you have four in favor. Motion is adopted.
• Senator Deco I. Senator J have five in favor. Motion is adopted. Thank you very much, members.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard two measures relating to dogs and coconut trees. On SB 301 SD1, which would add penalties for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on land zoned for a use, testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Ranchers, farmers, and other testifiers described dogs attacking livestock, trespassing on property, and in some cases injuring people and killing goats or chickens. Several speakers urged stronger penalties, owner accountability, and in some cases insurance requirements. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the bill, saying it would strengthen existing law and help protect agricultural producers. The committee noted there were 13 testimonies in support, none opposed, and no comments. The committee then heard SB 1582, which recognizes the coconut palm as an official sustainable staple food source in the state. Testimony was uniformly supportive from DLNR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Niu Now, and individual speakers who described the cultural, spiritual, and practical importance of niu/coconut in Hawaiian life, as well as its value as a food source and the need to protect it from the coconut rhinoceros beetle. Several speakers also emphasized biosecurity and continued funding for invasive species control. The committee stated there were 20 testimonies in support, none opposed, and no comments. In decision making, the committee recommended both measures be passed as is. SB 301 SD1 was adopted with four votes in favor and one no vote. SB 1582 was adopted unanimously, with five votes in favor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Vice Chair vote: Senator Hash Moro, aye. Senator K. aye. Senator Fevella is excused.
• We are going to insert the number 317 for every blank Senate Bill referred to in the resolution.
• Senator K., aye. Senator Fevella is excused. Recommendation is adopted.
• We are going to insert the number 317 for every blank Senate Bill referred to in the resolution.
• We are going to insert the number 317 for every blank Senate Bill referred to in the resolution.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard several resolutions focused on health care access, Medicaid services, and regulatory reform. SR 6 urged the Director of Health to create a working group on health insurance reform to reduce prior authorization delays; testimony was generally supportive, with DHS, SHIPA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and HMSA all offering comments or support. SHIPA said House Bill 250 would provide a better mechanism for the same goal, but the committee still moved forward with the resolution. SR 7 asked DHS Med-QUEST to cover behavioral health services for children in school-based settings, and SR 9 sought a program to incentivize community care foster family homes to accept people eligible under the Medicaid IDD waiver program. DHS supported the intent of both measures but raised concerns about regulatory limits. Testifiers on SR 9, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, argued the state should be more creative in expanding residential capacity, especially on the neighbor islands, while the chair questioned whether the barriers were state administrative rules or federal requirements. The committee also heard SC 14/SR 10 on a sunrise analysis for lactation consultant licensure. Supporters said lactation services can improve health outcomes and save costs, and that Medicaid coverage remains limited. After discussion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations: SR 6 and SC 14/SR 10 were passed with technical, non-substantive amendments; SR 7 was deferred; and SR 9 was deferred for further work. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang? Hi. Senator San Buenaventura? Senator Awa is excused. The measure passes. Thank you.
• loai Senator Chang hi Senator Senator Senator sanura<00:02:39.200> and<00:02:39.440> Senator
• If not, Senator Gabbard's recommendation on SB 108 is to pass unamended.
• If not, Senator Gabbard's recommendation on SB 1662 SD1 is to pass as is.
• If not, Senator Gabbard's recommendation on SB 1421 SD1 is to pass as is.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a series of Senate bills and generally advanced most of them, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 15 on the definition of historic property was amended to narrow the definition to properties at least 50 years old that are culturally significant or otherwise significant for Hawaii Register purposes, and it passed. SB 97 on excessive speeding was amended to clarify felony penalty language, license revocation timing, and fingerprinting procedures, and passed. Other bills passed as is or unamended included SB 145 on water shortages, SB 108 on accessible parking enforcement, SB 660 on hospitality anti-harassment measures and panic buttons, SB 1662 on landlord application fees and tenant screening reports, SB 1421 on Department of Health provider arrangements, SB 1439 on DOH nuisance authority, and SB 1452 updating controlled substances law. SB 1454 on wage payment violations passed with technical amendments only, while SB 1481 on motorcycle instruction permits was deferred as not ready. Several bills received more substantial changes. SB 253 on condominium association budget summaries was amended to require a single document and to shift the standard to substantial compliance; it passed. SB 371 on critical infrastructure damage was amended to remove a section affecting manslaughter law and to apply specifically to broadband and cable networks; it passed. SB 984 on water pollution liability for large landowners was advanced with a defective date. SB 1517 on public land leases for recreational residential use was amended to change the lease term to five years and add a defective date. SB 1074 on temporary continuation of challenged activities during environmental review was significantly amended to limit the provision to currently authorized activities, add a one-year limit with possible court extension, and clarify other terms; it passed. SB 1322 on emergency mental health transport was amended to restore provider-initiated transport language, require notice and coordination, remove special immunity provisions, and clarify court-ordered treatment procedures; it passed. The committee also passed SB 1496 on disability access to information in public accommodations, with a request that the committee report discuss the Roe v. St. Pizza case and the distinction between physical and digital accommodations. SB 1255 on Uniform Information Practices Act record retention was deferred as not ready. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that both agendas were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then Senator Hinojosa of Nueces.
• Senator Hinojosa, you are recognized. The Marine Senator. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Flores, and Senator Hinojosa.
• Let me respond this way, too, if I may, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator. We have just a few minutes left. Senator Eckhardt, you're recognized.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Marty mentioned things like tariffs, and we also know that there's a lot of disruption now
• Congress is talking about uh and Senator Congress is talking about uh and Senator Marty<00:04:23.560
• Senator Gr? made it very clear that cuts to Medicaid will be catastrophic for our state. Thank you.
• So, uh, we are going to propose our own budget in the Minnesota Senate.
• <00:09:51.959> we budget uh in the Minnesota Senate we budget uh in the Minnesota Senate we

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to turn this over to Senator Coleman for some further comments. Thank you.
• As a mother to Jewish children who has spent her entire career in the Senate calling out and fighting
• calling out and fighting Senate calling out and fighting anti-Semitism<00:02:20.879> and<00:02
• <00:04:25.520> finance know if you heard about Senate finance know if you heard about Senate
• Absolutely not. uh Senator Dames has been working very uh Senator Dames has been working very hard<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Melie, yes. Senator Richards, aye. Senator Ahi, yes. Measures adopted. Senator AO excused.
• Senator Elepante Hior? Senator Hasimoto, hi. Senator Kuha, hi. Senator Kidani, excuse.
• Senator Senator kuha hi Senator kidani Senator Senator kuha hi Senator kidani excuse<00:01:33.759>
• Senator excuse Senator excuse Senator Kim<00:01:36.040> Senator Senator Lee, how are you
• Senator Kino, hi. Senator Elant, hi. Senator Hasimoto, hi. Senator Ino, hi. Senator Kidani, hi.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees considered a large number of Senate bills, with many measures advanced either unamended or with technical or substantive amendments. Early action included SB 88 and SB 11 SD1, both passed unamended, and SB 562 SD1 and SB 642 SD1, which were passed with amendments reflecting agency testimony. SB 1133 SD1 was amended to remove duplicative county requirements and clarify tax credit carry-forward eligibility, while SB 1569 SD1 on sports wagering was deferred. Later, SB 933 on nonprofit/federal funding support drew strong testimony from nonprofit and health advocates emphasizing the risk of federal funding freezes and the importance of protecting services such as early learning, domestic violence support, housing, and workforce supports; the committee recommended amendments to define eligible organizations, require reporting, and include the Judiciary. SB 934 and SB 935 were also amended, with SB 934 tying mass transit funding to Honolulu project milestones and SB 935 revising retirement-system language to change “fewer than five years” to “five or more years.” The committees then took up additional measures with targeted amendments. SB 1033 was amended to clarify that the bill applies to legal entities, not individuals, though members noted concerns about closely held family corporations and asked that the issue be reflected in the committee report. SB 1166, SB 1249, and SB 1256 were advanced with amendments or committee-report notes reflecting concerns from the Attorney General, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and Hawaii Farmers Union United, respectively. SB 1432 and SB 137, both relating to electric utilities, were amended to require retention of covered employees after mergers or acquisitions and to direct the PUC to consider whether proposed transactions further state policy goals. SB 157 on antitrust was narrowed to focus on coordinator conduct in rental housing markets, SB 252 on invasive species received a defective effective date, and SB 336 on defense of state employers and employees passed unamended. SB 536 on the Hawaii Community Development Authority was deferred to a later hearing, and SB 1064 on medical cannabis was heavily amended to authorize cultivator licenses with limits on canopy size, license counts, physician fees, and a special-fund appropriation for enforcement. In the Ways and Means portion, the committee passed several bills unamended, including SB 19, SB 124, SB 264, SB 345, SB 422, and SB 741 and SB 747 later in the agenda. SB 361 was amended to remove references to the attorney general and delete an appropriation section, SB 438 was amended to redefine buffer zones and landfill-unit language, and SB 441 and SB 494 were amended to blank appropriations and, in SB 494, assign charter-school audit responsibility to the state auditor. SB 659 was substantially amended to promote local procurement, including county-level geographic preferences and higher thresholds for locally sourced purchases, and SB 732 was amended to adjust film tax credit provisions, including the streaming-platform definition and sunset-related language. SB 819 was amended to replace references to “educators” with “teachers.” Throughout, most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on particular bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Mel...
• Senator Melby, yes. Senator Richards, reservations. Senator Oa, aye. The measure is adopted.
• Senator Fukunaga, aye. Senator Kim, aye. Senator A, I... Chair, your recommendations.
• Senator Meli, yes. Senator Richards and Senator A... excuse me, measures adopted.
• :22:58.480> Senator<00:22:58.799> a<00:22:59.120> our Senator Richards and Senator

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Economic Development and Tourism committees heard S.B. 890, which would have prohibited the sale, display, or marketing of products labeled as poi unless wholly derived from Hawaii-grown taro. The Attorney General’s Office raised Commerce Clause and free speech concerns, and the Department of Agriculture offered support with comments. Testimony was mixed: several individuals and organizations supported the bill as a way to protect the cultural integrity and purity of poi and support local taro farmers, while an industry representative opposed the bill as written, arguing that poi is a process, that the language was too restrictive, and that the industry already faces taro shortages and supply variability. Committee members also discussed the limited supply of local kalo, the use of imported taro for tabletop products, and the need to expand production. After testimony, the committees recommended passing S.B. 890 with amendments. The amendment package would convert the measure from a prohibition to a labeling requirement so poi made with ingredients from outside Hawaii must be labeled with the origins of those ingredients, remove references specifically to taro to accommodate other ingredients, add a severability clause, and set a defective date of July 1, 2050. The measure was adopted, with one senator voting with reservations and the rest voting aye. The committees then took up previously heard measures. S.B. 281, relating to telehealth, was recommended for passage with amendments to reinstate an opt-out from video conferencing in the definition of interactive telecommunications software; it was adopted. S.B. 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, was recommended for passage unamended and was also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill on the docket today is Senate F 1481, Senator Papas. Thank you so much, Mr.
• Senate F 1481, Senator Papas. Thank you so much, Mr.
• Senator Rasmusson, thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Senator Rest.
• Senator R...
• <01:45:14.480> one<01:45:15.480> uh Senator rest that Senate file one uh Senator rest

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:17.839> Muhammad<00:50:18.480> Senator thank you Senator Muhammad Senator thank
• <01:11:53.960> Dam you for your question Senator Dam you for your question Senator Dam Senator
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator. Senator Lucero, thank you, Madam Chair.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Marty, yeah, thank you. Senator Limmer, I agree.
• <01:36:18.119> Senate Amendment if if you and Senate Senate Amendment if if you and Senate
• c> Corin both by Senator limmer and Senator Corin both by Senator limmer and Senator Corin about<
• Senator Cwodzinski, and of course Senator Marty.
• > and<01:52:49.840> of authors Senator bar Senator owski and of authors Senator bar Senator

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Champion, then Senator Draheim, then Senator Mohamed and..."
• Thank you, Senator Champion, then Senator Draheim, then Senator Mohamed and..."
• , then Senator Mohamed and Senator Draheim, then Senator Mohamed and Senator B.
• The House or the Senate is going to have its position, but a budget resolution currently calls for smaller
• /c><00:52:01.400> Senator people can prepare Senator dreim Senator people can prepare Senator

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will come to order. Senator Murphy: Thank you, Mr. President.
• I move a call of the Senate. The Senate is now under call.
• Remaining under motions and resolutions, Senator Murphy to designate special orders. Thank you, Mr.
• I want to thank Senator Westrom, Senator Dornink, Senator Dames, Senator Putnam for helping along with
• to thank Senator westrum Senator dornick Senator<00:31:15.399> Dames<00:31:16.080> Senator

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:31.480> auditor Senator oh Senator house okay auditor Senator oh Senator house okay
• So, Senate File 828, Senator B, go ahead.
• So, Senate File 828, Senator B, go ahead.
• So, Senate File 828, Senator B, go ahead.
• So, Senate File 828, Senator B, go ahead.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all