Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:33.320> is Senator mckel yes Senator Richards is Senator mckel yes Senator Richards
• I got Senate Bill 602, Senate Bill 1097, and Senate Bill 1528.
• <00:36:06.240> hi Yes Senator fuka I Senator Kim hi Yes Senator fuka I Senator Kim hi Senator
• Kim<00:49:08.559> Senator Yes Senator kaga hi Senator Kim Senator Yes Senator kaga hi Senator
• Senator Kaga, reservations. Senator Kim, aye. Senator Awa, no.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1061 on digital equity. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from Rosie Davis of the Maui County Area Health Education Center, who said Molokai and Maui need better digital access for telehealth and clinic services. Members discussed whether the bill should be consolidated with other digital broadband measures and asked about funding; the chair noted the draft used general funds but said federal money was now available for the navigator program. The committee later recommended SB 1061 be passed with an SD1, technical amendments, and an effective date of July 1, 2050, with members voting aye. The committee then heard SB 135 on macadamia nut labeling. Hawaiian Host Group and several supporters argued the bill would help align the industry around a processing solution and support growers and jobs, while the MacNut Association and Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company opposed it, saying the state lacks enough processing infrastructure and that existing law already covers labeling. In questioning, members focused on the lack of a current processing facility and the timeline for a new one on Hawaiʻi Island. After hearing mixed testimony, the committee deferred the bill indefinitely. The committee also considered SB 1657 and SB 1539 relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Testimony on both measures was generally supportive, with ADC describing the Wāhō water system as serving about 5,000 acres and over 70 farmers, mostly small and medium growers, and saying the proposal would help expand service without asking for more water. The committee later voted to pass SB 1657 and SB 1539 with SD1s, technical amendments, and a July 1, 2050 effective date. Finally, the committee took up SB 891 on economic development and gaming. The hearing drew extensive testimony, including support from Boyd Gaming and Stanford Carr Development, and opposition from Native Hawaiian speakers who said Hawaiians must have a seat at the table and raised concerns about self-determination and outside control. Members questioned the scope of the proposed gaming working group, the number and makeup of members, and the need to review prior gaming bills and studies. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 891 with an SD1 and major amendments: adding tourism references, changing expense reimbursement rules so private gaming representatives pay their own expenses, expanding the working group to include Native Hawaiian, social services/behavioral health, DBEDT, law enforcement, and tax/professional expertise seats, deleting one proposed seat, and adding a July 1, 2050 effective date. The committee also reported that the recommendations were adopted by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang is excused. Senator McKelvie: Yes. Senator Dort: Yes.
• Senator Mari I sand vuro F Senator Senator Mari I sand vuro F Senator vlla<00:31:09.200> is
• vote I Senator Chang is excuse Senator vote I Senator Chang is excuse Senator mckelvie<00:31:34.159
• Senator Mari: I. Senator San Vura: Aye. Senator Fa: I pass.
• > Senator<00:45:37.680> fella maruki I Senator sandura I Senator fella maruki I Senator

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee reconvened for decision-making on measures previously heard on February 6, 2025. Senate Bill 1513 was deferred indefinitely based on the testimony and issues raised. Senate Bill 786 was also deferred indefinitely and set aside for interim work on a proposed SD1 that could address the concerns discussed and incorporate ongoing federal changes. Senate Bill 1031 was amended and advanced as a Senate WAP 1; the amended version would allow the legislature to adopt non-binding advisory referendum questions only for general obligation bond proposals, require 30 days’ notice, require the legislature to consider the results, and require a written explanation if the final legislative action opposes the majority vote. The committee also set a far-future effective date and noted that any further review should examine opposition concerns and the fiscal, administrative, and legal implications of the proposal. The measure passed on a yes vote from the vice chair and supporting members, with one member excused. In the joint Government Operations and Water and Land hearing, Senate Bill 411, relating to capital improvement projects for boating and ocean recreation, drew support from the Department of Boating and Ocean Recreation and several written supporters, while Budget and Finance opposed it and the Deputy Attorney General warned it could be challenged because it implied funding without an appropriation. The chair recommended moving the bill with amendments and a defective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation to pass SB 411 with amendments. Senate Bill 1103, relating to community districts, generated substantial discussion and was ultimately recommended for deferral. Testimony raised constitutional and special fund concerns, while the Hawaii Community Development Authority supported the concept but suggested major changes, including clearer governance language, a dedicated staff position, and funding. Members debated whether elected boards would undermine county planning authority and whether the concept was more suitable for Oahu or the Neighbor Islands. Senate Bill 1308, relating to plans, was presented as an administration bill and supported by DAGS. The bill would remove outdated filing requirements, update fee schedules, give DAGS more discretion over plan format, and update drawing scales. A member asked whether it could help replace survey monuments lost in the Lahaina wildfire cleanup; DAGS said it would not directly replace monuments but could help with future mapping and surveying. The chair indicated the committee would note the monument issue in the report and work on technical cleanup language, with the measure moving forward subject to those amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator McKel is excused. Senator Richards: I. Senator A: No, thank you.
• Your measure is adopted. excused Senator Richards I Senator AWA excused Senator Richards I Senator AWA
• decoit I Senator chair I Senator decoit I Senator Richards<01:10:13.520> I<01:10:13.920> Senator
• c> thank Senator Richards I Senator a no thank Senator Richards I Senator a no thank you<01:11:00.040
• I Senator mcel is excused Senator I Senator mcel is excused Senator Richards<01:19:40.199> I<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted. The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair, Senator I. Senator Richards, aye.
• Okay, we are going to adjourn this hearing. chair I Senator I Senator Richards hi chair I Senator I Senator
• anyone else wishing to testify on Senate anyone else wishing to testify on Senate Bill Senate Bill
• > Cher I Senator Kim is excuse Senator a i Cher I Senator Kim is excuse Senator a i Cher recommendation
• Senator Decoy? Hi. Senator Richards? Hi. Senator F? Has excused. The recommendation is adopted.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Economic Development and Tourism met on February 11, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 1338, relating to long-duration clean energy storage, received support from the Energy Office, DEED, HTDC, and the gas company. With no opposition or questions, the committees recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and a deferred effective date of 5/13/2040. The committees then heard Senate Bill 233 on climate resilience, which drew support from the Hawaii State Community Office and other testifiers. SB 492, relating to the general excise tax, had mixed testimony, with support from DHHL, the Office of Planning, county representatives, and others, and opposition from the Grassroots Institute and another testifier. The chair explained that SB 492 would be amended to remove language that would prevent DHHL from benefiting, along with technical amendments and the same deferred date of 5/13/2040. For Senate Bill 1634, relating to water resources, the Board of Water Supply testified in support and urged expanding the bill from two to six monitoring wells, citing Red Hill contamination concerns, PFAS detections in Halawa Shaft, and the need for a broader monitoring grid to track groundwater movement. Members discussed the connected aquifers and the need for more data. The committee recommended passage of SB 1634 with amendments to allow funding for six monitoring wells, include a sentinel monitoring system, and make technical, non-substantive changes. The committee also voted to pass SB 233 unamended, and all recommendations were adopted by the members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to welcome Committee Member Senator FLL. Okay, members, do you have any questions?
• Is there anyone else wishing to testify on Senate Bill 66?
• Votes: Chair votes aye; Vice Chair votes aye; Senator Kino votes aye; Senator Kuha votes aye.
• If not, for Senate Bill 66, the chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments.
• If not, for Senate Bill 66, the chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing met on February 11, 2025, to hear Senate Bill 662 and Senate Bill 66. SB 662 would require HHFDC to transfer the public roads in the Villages of Kapolei to the City and County of Honolulu by January 1, 2026, and would authorize county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on all public streets and highways. Testimony on the measure was in support from H50, the City and County of Honolulu, and an individual testifier. HHFDC Executive Director D. Minomi said the agency had been negotiating with the city over a $60 million transfer of road and infrastructure maintenance responsibility, but no formal agreement had been drafted; negotiations were paused when related bills were introduced. He said that if the bills do not pass, HHFDC would continue negotiations because the amount is less than the estimated cost of rehabilitating the roads itself and would free up staff time. The committee recommended SB 662 be passed with amendments, including a deferred date and report language referencing the ongoing negotiations, and the recommendation was adopted with aye votes from the chair, vice chair, Senator Kino, and Senator Kuha. The committee then heard SB 66, which would require counties to issue building permits within 60 days when applications are stamped and certified by a licensed engineer and architect and other conditions are met. Testimony was mixed, with the Department of Planning and Permitting for the City and County of Honolulu in opposition, and several groups including the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, RMS Sales, Hawaii Realtors, NAHawaii Chapter, BIA Hawaii, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce in support; several individuals also testified both for and against. The State Historic Preservation Division testified with comments. In decision-making, the chair recommended SB 66 be passed with technical, non-substantive amendments and with additional amendments from the State Historic Preservation Division, including requiring a complete application and specifying qualified professionals under SHPD rules for architecture, archaeology, architectural history, and/or physical anthropology. The committee adopted the recommendation by a vote of the chair alone, with no objections noted. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator DeCorte, I. Senator Richards, I. Senator Fevella is excused. The recommendation is adopted.
• > Senator<00:19:45.880> favella<00:19:46.880> it's Senator Richards I Senator favella
• Senate Bill 927.
• Senator Awa? Senator Kanuha? Senator DeCoite? Measures adopted. Mr.
• > measures Senator kuha Senator Dort measures Senator kuha Senator Dort measures adopted<00:59

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1480 on transportation and road usage charging. Supporters included the Department of Transportation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, county representatives, and the Tax Foundation, while an automotive industry witness opposed the bill, arguing it would be unfair to rural drivers and those with longer commutes. Committee discussion focused on equity, rural impacts, and whether the measure should be tied to future rail funding. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1480 pass with amendments, including broadening allowable uses of funds, clarifying language on infrastructure and safety, addressing motor scooters, and striking a proposed new subaccount; the recommendation was adopted by both committees, with one no vote in TCA. For SB 970 on taxation, the Tax Foundation said the employer transit tax credit would be more efficient as a direct subsidy program, and the Department of Taxation recommended several changes, including a sunset date of December 31, 2030, anti-double-benefit language, deletion of certain reporting requirements, and an effective date of December 31, 2025. The department estimated the bill would reduce revenues by about $11.6 million over the four-year period it would be in effect. The committees moved SB 970 forward with amendments to include bike share in the credit and add a defective date, leaving the department’s suggested changes for later consideration; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also advanced SB 1008 on parking and SB 1088 on electric vehicle charging infrastructure without amendments. DCAB strongly supported SB 1008, saying it would help counties enforce accessible parking design requirements, and noted a related bill without the EV portion. SB 1088 drew broad support from the Public Utilities Commission, State Energy Office, county and advocacy groups, and individuals; one question raised whether the bill should sunset, but the response was that Hawaii still lacks sufficient EV charging infrastructure and the measure expands eligibility for affordable housing. Both bills were recommended to pass unamended and the recommendations were adopted. The Transportation and Culture and Arts committee then heard SB 1011 on the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program, with testimony in strong support from individuals and the State Archivist, who suggested preserving award recipients’ archives, photos, oral histories, and clippings. The committee also heard SB 441 on the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, with support from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaii Theatre Center, musicians, and others emphasizing cultural value, workforce stability, and statewide access to the arts. The transcript then moved to SB 1581 on the Hawaii Japan Pacific Peace Monument and SB 1577 relating to the State Foundation on the Arts; on SB 1577, the Attorney General warned that using the Works of Special Art Fund for operating purposes could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of related bonds and recommended deleting section five, while also pointing to the Performing Arts Special Fund as an alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> Senator Hashimoto hi Senator F hi Senator Hashimoto hi Senator F hi measures<00:23:03.600> adopted
• Senator Lee? Lee? Lee excused. Senator Hara is excused. Senator Mur? is excused. Senator Fevella?
• > Senator Senator Senator Hashimoto excuse Senator Senator Senator Hashimoto excuse Senator excuse
• <01:42:55.920> Senator<01:42:56.320> hasimoto VI Senator Senator hasimoto VI Senator
• <01:49:03.480> Bill Senator okay thank you on Senate Bill Senator okay thank you on Senate

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing covered Senate Bill 426, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Human Services, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education, the Attorney General’s office, the Early Childhood Action Strategy, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the University of Hawaiʻi’s early childhood educator project, and a Zoom testifier who described the importance of investing in high-quality early childhood education. Committee discussion focused on the program’s estimated cost, with figures of about $14.5 million in 2025-26 and $15 million in 2026-27, and on whether the program would require ongoing base-budget funding. The committee recommended technical, non-substantive amendments, including a statewide-concern amendment and a deferred effective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1622, which would appropriate funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaiʻi to support statewide artificial intelligence initiatives. University representatives described the proposal as the product of campus-wide input and outlined five pillars: governance and policy, outreach and engagement, research and development, workforce development, and AI tools for key sectors such as health care, creative industries, manufacturing, data science, astronomy, and climate change. Members questioned staffing distribution, tuition, enrollment timing, housing, campus placement, and whether positions would be permanent or temporary; the university said it planned about 10 positions across campuses, would start with internal resources, and would house the effort under the Vice President for Research and Innovation initially. The committees recommended an SD1 with the appropriation amounts blanked out, a July 31, 2050 effective date, and committee-report language on housing and West Oʻahu, and the higher education and labor/technology committees adopted the amended recommendation. Finally, the Higher Education Committee took up Senate Bill 1488, a housekeeping measure to consolidate existing University of Hawaiʻi conference center statutes into a single revolving fund structure, and Senate Bill 636, which would fund retention and internship coordinator positions and broader enrollment management efforts at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. SB 1488 drew university support and no opposition. SB 636 prompted substantial questioning about Hilo’s declining enrollment, current retention rate of 72.8 percent, and the scope of the request, which includes not only two named positions but also about $432,000 for enrollment management initiatives such as data analysis, IT support, and other student services. Hilo said it is targeting 3 to 5 percent annual enrollment growth and that the positions would support recruitment, retention, internships, and data-driven enrollment strategy. The committee pressed for a clearer broader plan, but the discussion in the transcript ended before a final vote on SB 636 was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dibble brings us Senate File 1082.
• > senator 167 um senator 167 um senator uh uh uh grunhagen<00:49:29.720> and grunhagen
• <00:59:19.280> Senate Senator Weber and Senator Huffman Senate Senator Weber and Senator Huffman
• file file 8 Senate file 837 is a senate file file 8 Senate file 837 is a senate file that<00:
• <01:08:55.960> file Senators Weber and Hof uh Senate file Senators Weber and Hof uh Senate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• again thank you madam chair Senator again thank you madam chair Senator schinski<00:17:17.839>
• Madam Chair, Senator Gustafson, yes.
• They also work with local farms to take some of that food. meals Senator um meals Senator um guson<00
• Senator Gustafson, I think, um, oh, let's start with Senator Clark and then we're going to go to Senator
• Thank you for sharing that, Senator Clark. Thank you for sharing that, Senator Clark.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Green, come on forward. Senator Green, why don't we have you...
• Senate fou 59 we're going to look for Senate fou 59 we're going to look for Senator<00:36:56.119>
• Senator Latz, Senator Guston, we'll invite you up to the table.
• Thank you, Senator Coleman. Thank you, Senator Coleman. Senator Gipson, thank you, Madam Chair.
• bill authored by Senator bill authored by Senator gon<01:48:03.000> Senator<01:48:03.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we'll go to Senate File 661, then Senate File 799 from Senator Gerson, followed by Senate File 901
• from Senator Pratt, and then also Senate File 922 from Senator Her, and last but certainly not least
• , we'll hear Senate File 1079 from Senator Muhammad.
• We will go to Senate File 661, then Senate File 799 from Senator Gerson, followed by Senate File 901
• Senate File 1079 from Senator Muhammad.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Cek moves the A1 amendment. Senator Cek, to your amendment?
• Senator Seeberger to Senate File 1220 as amended. Thank you.
• adopted uh Senator Sebert to uh Senate adopted uh Senator Sebert to uh Senate file<00:02:50.760>
• 934 business Senator kek Senate file 934 business Senator kek Senate file 934 agriculture<00:53:49.200
• 1178 thank you Senator copc Senate file 1178 thank you Senator copc Senate file 1178 will<01:50:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:30.399> M senator may qu's question Senator M senator may qu's question Senator M thank
• Balden Senate file bill from Senator Balden Senate file 1175 1175 1175 Senator<01:08:56.640> Balden
• Bol then Senator thank you Senator Bol then Senator Hoffman<01:09:15.799> moves<01:09:16.239>
• Senator M thank that change so Senator Senator M thank you<01:37:28.560> Mr<01:37:28.760>
• Senator Mohamed: Thank you, Senator M, for bringing this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:13:19.800> District<01:13:20.120> 2 Senator Tim Lang from Senate District 2 Senator
• Thank you, Senator.
• It has been moved by Senator Fenton and seconded by Senator Murphy.
• It's been moved by consent by Senator Murphy, seconded by Senator Sullivan.
• Senator uh Murphy seconded by Senator Senator uh Murphy seconded by Senator Sullivan<01:51:03.239

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Pearl is here to introduce Senate Bill 191. Good morning, members of Senate ED.
• All right, next will be Senate Bill 74. Senate Bill 74.
• That's Senator M. Senator M, all right. B holds.
• /c><01:42:51.440> right out that's Senator M Senator M all right out that's Senator M Senator
• Senator O?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• e e e e Prime sponsor Senator Long thanked the chair, honorable senators, and introduced himself as Senator
• She greeted Senator Murphy, the chairman, and honorable members of the Senate Education Committee.
• Senator Rosen, thank you.
• Senator RK, thank you.
• Senator Carson thanked Mr.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Duckworth. Senator Duckworth: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate it.
• information to Senator to us and Senator information to Senator to us and Senator abler<00:45:12.400
• [member_14056 | Senator Nathan Wesenberg] Senator Maye Quade, thank you, Chair.
• [member_14056 | Senator Nathan Wesenberg] Senator Maye Quade, thank you, Chair.
• [member_14056 | Senator Nathan Wesenberg] Senator Maye Quade, thank you, Chair.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Senator Mark Johnson, Senate Republican Caucus Leader.
• one is Senate file uh 1219 and Senate one is Senate file uh 1219 and Senate file<00:13:40.399>
• and Senator dorick and then Senator and Senator dorick and then Senator Hoffman<00:47:54.200>
• and input from Senator Bahr and Senator Drazkowski and Senator Lang and even Senator Maye Quade.
• Senator Bahr and Senator Drazkowski and Senator Lang and even Senator Maye Quade.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• cek and<00:10:18.600> Senator and Senator and Senator atki<00:10:21.880> president<00:
• discussion Senator lisy and then Senator discussion Senator lisy and then Senator abler<00:36:19.960
• :21.880> lisy abler and Senator koek Senator lisy abler and Senator koek Senator lisy thank<00
• Balden Senator Kupec, um, Senator Boldon, did you have a follow-up?
• Thank you, Senator Port.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Rouson Senator Berman, Senator Broder, Senator Burgess, Senator Collins, you're Senator Deciglie
• Senator Garcia, Senator Grall Senator Harrell, you're Senator Martin here.
• Senator McClain here, Senator Pizzo Senator Polsky Senator Sharif, Senator Smith here, Senator Trumbull
• Yes, senator Martin Senator MacLEAN Senator Pizzo Senator Polsky Senator Sherry know Senator Smith.
• Yes, senator Martin Senator MacLEAN Senator Pizzo Senator Polsky. Senator.

Keywords: 999, senate, all