Transcript Highlights:

• Here to answer any questions. Thanks by Moto, Hawaii Farm Bureau.
• that. here to answer strong support of that. here to answer any<00:04:36.639> questions.
• You see, they are the key players in this invasive species battle.
• >> I do not have an answer for you, but I can get back to you on that. >> Thank you.
• Could you come up and answer a few >> Yeah.

Bills: SB2489, SB2310, SB2372, SB2426, SB2334, SB2925, SB3323

Keywords: invasive species, agriculture, biosecurity, lease provisions, environment, natural resources, flood management, vegetation removal, Kainahola stream, Hawaii legislation, trees, exceptional trees, significant trees, urban forestry, arborist advisory committee, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, county planning, tree preservation

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to agriculture, invasive species control, trees, reef protection, and land use. SP 2489 would require Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity leases to include access, invasive-species control, and termination provisions; DAB and DLNR supported it, as did several outside groups, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council raised concerns about notice, cooperation with lessees, and placing penalties on leaseholders for preexisting infestations. The chair noted six testifiers in support, one opposed, and three with comments. SP 2310 would appropriate funds to remove overgrown vegetation from the Kohola stream. DAB supported the bill but explained that the work already completed by its contractor stopped at a DOT boundary, and that the affected parcel appears to be a DOT highway segment on ceded lands; the committee discussed whether the appropriation should instead go to DOT. SP 2372, on exceptional and significant trees, received support from DNR and Outdoor Circle, with testimony describing trees as critical infrastructure and suggesting technical amendments to committee membership and the process for recommending trees to county councils. SP 2426, which would authorize DNR to contract with private parties to maintain sunscreen dispensers at state beaches and promote mineral-based sunscreen as reef-protective, drew support from DNR and reef advocates, while another witness questioned the science behind claims about mineral versus chemical sunscreens and urged broader environmental solutions. SP 2334 would impose a land conversion fee on agricultural land converted to other uses, create a fee fund for programs including healthy soils, and require state agricultural lands to use a conservation metric. DAB offered comments, and testimony from climate and farm groups generally supported the conservation goals but questioned references to programs not yet in place and objected to language excluding solar and wind uses, with one witness urging that agri-voltaics remain allowed. SP 2925, concerning coconut trees, would recognize them as food, water, and cultural resources, require signage for landscape palms, set labeling standards, and create a tax credit for naturally managed consumable coconut trees. DAB shifted from opposition to comments, DNR supported, and testimony from cultural and subsistence advocates strongly backed the bill as a response to coconut rhinoceros beetle impacts; committee questions focused on enforcement of signage, inspection resources, and the proposed tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:02:36.080> today<00:02:36.720> because<00:02:37.120> the<00:02:37.440> key
• front of you today because the key front of you today because the key features<00:02:37.920>
• So, actually, Lisa Bod is here just to answer questions. The mayor should be online.
• <00:38:01.920> I answer questions from there. Okay. I answer questions from there. Okay.
• So, so no, the answer would be no.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, at least for me, they were answered.
• were answered and I wonder<00:12:31.760> I<00:12:31.800> mean<00:12:32.000> at<
• c> think<00:12:34.360> there's<00:12:35.360> we<00:12:35.519> know were answered
• I think there's we know were answered I think there's we know that<00:12:36.040> the<00:12:36.320
• Really, the key with palliative care is symptom management, as well as then to allow them to live the

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . answering. answering.
• , >> Thank you for your answer, >> Thank you for your answer, >> Representative
• hopefully that answers your question. hopefully that answers your question.
• not a clear answer. So, yeah. not a clear answer. So, yeah.
• probably didn't answer your question. probably didn't answer your question.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If that answers your question, I guess it sort of does.
• And I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
• Thanks for those answers because I do believe that the key is to engage these families and to have them
• Happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
• Does that answer your question? Absolutely.

Bills: HCR93, HCR14, HR85

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a the way the thing answer.
• just wanted to hear an answer to. just wanted to hear an answer to.
• planning is going to be key to that. planning is going to be key to that.
• The answer to that is no. Right.
• the answer there. the answer there. Thank<03:24:43.840> you.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm happy to answer<00:08:41.599> questions. answer questions. answer questions.
• Chairman, I'm happy to answer questions. Chairman, I'm happy to answer questions.
• It was a non-answer."
• It was a non answer. We still have It was a non answer.
• And I'm happy to answer questions. And I'm happy to answer questions. >> Questions?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• federal agencies to target and over key federal agencies to target and punish<00:10:38.920> those
• also there to answer questions as well. well. well.
• I'm not sure who best would be to answer this. So, I'll just maybe open it to all three of them.
• So, I suspect that they'll know the answer there. Uh, Madam Chair, I'm not an attorney, either.
• So, um that will answer my question then. Other questions or comments, members?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, a long answer to your question, yes. Thank you. Yes, thank you, Chair.
• , Chair, a long answer to your question, yes. yes. yes.
• She added that staff from the Attorney General's office could answer questions.
• answer a few questions? answer a few questions?
• Some of the key provisions uh the bill I want to highlight to you, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to make it clear, D is not the answer.
• And I want to make it clear, D is not the answer.
• And I want to make it clear, D is not the answer.
• And I want to make it clear, D is not the answer.
• Hope that answers your question. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Back to you, Chair.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held its first informational briefing for 2025, beginning with member introductions and then hearing an economic outlook presentation from Dr. Eugene Tian of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Tian said Hawaii’s economy was in relatively good shape in several areas, especially construction, which he described as at a historical high, with construction employment above 40,000 monthly and building permit values and contracting tax base both up sharply. He also noted real estate sales had rebounded in 2024, the labor market had stabilized with unemployment around 2.9%, and initial unemployment claims were below 2019 levels. At the same time, he highlighted challenges including inflation running above the national rate, a shrinking labor force, lower employment compared with 2023, and continued weakness in visitor spending and arrivals. He said future growth would likely come from health care, professional services, construction, tourism recovery, and diversified sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, creative industries, and technology. Dr. Tian also discussed Hawaii’s economic structure and recovery, saying the state remains more concentrated in a few industries than the U.S. overall, with government and hospitality making up larger shares of the economy. He said non-tourism sectors had recovered, but tourism-related jobs and output were still below pre-pandemic levels, with Maui and the visitor industry still affected by the wildfire and COVID-19 impacts. He projected tourism and non-agricultural wage and salary jobs would not fully recover until 2027, and said population trends remain a concern because of aging, the likelihood of deaths outpacing births in coming years, and reliance on in-migration. After his presentation, the chair said questions would be taken later and the committee took a short break. After the break, Dr. Carano of the Hawaii Executive Director’s office presented a second outlook, saying Hawaii’s economy in 2025 looked better than 2024 overall, though he emphasized substantial uncertainty tied to the incoming federal administration. He said possible changes to tariffs, tax policy, immigration, and federal spending could raise inflation and keep interest rates higher than previously expected, which would affect housing, consumer debt, the dollar, and Hawaii’s visitor industry. He noted that U.S. visitors account for roughly three-quarters of visitor spending in the state, making federal policy especially important. He also said deregulation could be a long-term positive but would not likely have much effect in 2025 or 2026. As an additional risk, he pointed to bird flu and its effect on livestock, poultry, and egg prices. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:53:18.600> to critical variables that are key to critical variables that are key to timely
• So, first, and this is a key proposal, so let's go back to it.
• So, first, and this is a key proposal, so let's go back to it.
• So, first, and this is a key proposal, so let's go back to it.
• So, first, and this is a key proposal, so let's go back to it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the fraudsters will say, now to satisfy the requirements of the warrant, you need to give us your key
• , the fraudsters will say, now to satisfy the requirements of the warrant, you need to give us your key
• Chairman, I will sit down and be ready to answer any questions.
• be ready to answer any questions. be ready to answer any questions.
• <00:23:13.919> most other utilities, would now answer most other utilities, would now answer

Bills: HB303, SB360, SB325, HB477, SB329, HB381, SB330

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's not a clear, neat answer as far as I understand.
• I wish I had a better answer for you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• But thank you for your answer. Thank you, ma'am.
• Thank you for that answer.
• She's going to cut me off, so I'm going to have to make the answer shorter.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if that answers your question. Yeah. I'm going to make sure I pull a rank.
• So I'm happy to answer questions. Thank you. Thank you.
• I don't know that I have the answer to that. We might hear back from them.
• So I hope you have the answer. Unfortunately, we cut, I think, 2,000 slots in the last budget.
• I don't know the answer to that. Oh, I stopped you. Yes.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on juvenile rehabilitation institution capacity, services, and staffing. DCYF Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redmond described overcrowding at Green Hill School and Echo Glen, driven by longer adult-style sentences extending past age 25, limited community placements, and small facility sizes. She said Green Hill remains above safe operating capacity, but staffing, injuries, large-scale aggression, and use-of-force incidents have improved over the past year. She also discussed Harbor Heights, a new 46-bed flex facility that had opened with 22 youth and would expand once a medical trailer arrives, as well as community transition services, vocational programming, behavior management reforms, and a request for more resources for mental health-focused facilities and staffing. Members asked about success metrics, developmental disability screening and supports, college access at Echo Glen, Mission Creek planning, and gender-responsive programming; Redmond said JR uses assessments, family involvement, and specialized living units, and that some requested funding had already been secured for returning a girls’ program at Echo Glen. The committee then heard from Team Child and the Youth Action Coalition. Greta Schultz said youth perspectives should guide system reforms and identified key concerns: overuse of sentence extensions, underuse of community transition services, continued criminal referrals from Green Hill to Lewis County, limited family contact, inadequate mental health access, and unequal education opportunities, especially for young women at Echo Glen. Justella Gonzalez, a former system-involved youth, said her time in county and state facilities was harmful, with staff mistreatment, poor education, limited therapy access, and humiliating restraint practices; she also said girls at Echo Glen lacked the same college opportunities as boys at Green Hill. Committee members asked for follow-up on county versus state experiences and on telehealth mental health services. The next presentation covered county-level services for youth involved or at risk of involvement with the justice system, led by juvenile court administrators Christine Simon-Smeyer and Judge Rachel Anderson. They outlined the juvenile court continuum from prevention and truancy work through diversion, detention alternatives, community supervision, and disposition alternatives, emphasizing evidence-based, trauma-informed, and restorative practices. Clark County was used as an example of a court that partners closely with schools and community providers, uses risk assessments and wraparound behavioral health probation, and offers detention alternatives without electronic home monitoring. They said most courts do not use detention for status offenses, but instead use court involvement to connect youth to services. They also described funding, noting that courts rely on a mix of state block grant and local dollars, and that recent cuts to early intervention funding reduced programming and staff hours. Members asked about detention for truancy, developmental disability identification, restorative justice practices, and the juvenile block grant. Finally, DCYF Assistant Secretary Nicole Rose and Katie Warren of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP discussed child care and early learning impacts from recent policy and budget changes. Rose said Fair Start for Kids investments had increased child care access, provider participation, and kindergarten readiness, with more than 60,000 children in Working Connections care and rising ECAP enrollment and provider capacity. She said recent reductions will raise most family copays in 2026, delay eligibility expansions, eliminate some expanded eligibility categories, reduce ECAP slots by about 3,000, delay entitlement timelines, and cut provider supports such as rate increases for centers, complex-needs grants, trauma-informed and dual-language incentives, and infant/early childhood mental health consultation. Warren emphasized ECAP’s role in family stability, workforce participation, and reducing poverty, and noted its two-generation approach to supporting both children and parents.

Transcript Highlights:

• some items that we still need to work out, primarily, and I really want to emphasize that this is a key
• some items that we still need to work out, primarily, and I really want to emphasize that this is a key
• some items that we still need to work out, primarily, and I really want to emphasize that this is a key
• I really want to emphasize that this is a key one: the data sharing and security process.
• It's not a simple answer, and that's why it's taking us a long time.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 962, the Brady-Giglio bill, which seeks to create a more uniform statewide process for how prosecutors identify and manage law enforcement officers whose credibility may be questioned. The author explained that the bill grew out of stakeholder work over the past year, and the committee adopted the DE3 amendment, which reflected much of that negotiated language. Testifiers from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, Law Enforcement Labor Services, the Minnesota Sheriffs Association, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, and the Minnesota County Attorneys Association all said the bill was moving in the right direction and emphasized the need for consistency, predictability, security, and due process in Brady-Giglio decisions. Several witnesses said the bill should prevent Brady designations from being used as the sole basis for discipline and should prohibit prosecutor-maintained do-not-call lists. County attorney and law enforcement representatives said the current draft is a major step forward but that work remains, especially on data access, data retention, sharing, and security provisions. They also noted that the language had not yet been fully approved by all stakeholder boards, though they supported continuing the process and asked the committee to advance the bill so negotiations could continue. Members raised questions about whether public defenders, defendants’ rights groups, and other public employees had been included in the discussions. The author and other supporters said the main alignment so far has been among prosecutors and law enforcement, with additional input from other groups to come later. In closing, the author described personal experiences that illustrated how an error or misunderstanding could unfairly affect an officer’s career and argued for a statewide standard. The committee then voted to re-refer House File 962, as amended, to the Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I'm specifically answering the question about why we need these additional deputy coordinators
• Inter-district transfers are a key issue of access.
• Chris Morales of the CSU Office of the Chancellor here very briefly to answer any technical questions
• delivering on that process of timely completion, I think, is something that's really important and key
• There were lots of pieces included in SB 848, but one of the key provisions was it improved an LEA's

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 998, which would clarify and expand the roles of discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability-focused coordinator and a deputy AAPI coordinator. The author and coauthors said the bill is intended to strengthen school climate, improve training and guidance for staff, and better address discrimination affecting students based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Supporters, including the Sacramento LGBTQ Community Center, CFT, Equality California, and several legislative caucuses, argued that students cannot learn if they do not feel safe and cited absenteeism and mental health concerns. Some witnesses and members raised concerns about gubernatorial appointments and whether the coordinators should instead be hired through civil service. The committee ultimately moved SB 998 on a due pass basis to the Senate Judiciary Committee and placed it on call. The committee also heard SB 1082, which would streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring quicker district action, concurrent review, and clearer notice when applications are incomplete. The sponsor and supporters said families often face long delays and uncertainty, especially those with language barriers or special needs, and that the bill would improve fairness without changing district authority to approve or deny transfers. The California School Boards Association said it had an oppose-unless-amended position but would re-evaluate after the committee amendments, and other groups expressed support. The bill was moved due pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed on call. SB 960, dealing with community college baccalaureate degrees, generated the most extended debate. The author argued the bill would create a statewide framework allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in areas of unmet workforce need when local CSU access is unavailable because of impaction or distance, while preserving limits so colleges do not become four-year institutions. Supporters said the bill responds to workforce demand and place-bound students, while CSU and CFA opposed it, warning about duplication, fiscal impacts, accreditation, faculty jobs, and harm to the CSU transfer pipeline. Members discussed the master plan for higher education, impaction, and state funding, with one senator abstaining over concerns about unintended consequences for CSU. The committee recommended SB 960 for due pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed it on call. The committee then heard SB 965, which would make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and her son described barriers created by varying local library rules and argued the bill would improve teen access to educational resources while preserving local control over checkout and liability policies. CFT and other supporters backed the measure, while the California Library Association said it supports the goal but wants alternative language to preserve local flexibility and balance community differences. The transcript cuts off during opposition testimony, and no final vote on SB 965 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And on page four, you can see on the right-hand side, the key drivers of long-term intergenerational
• We're asking that some of their scientists As geologists would go out and answer the questions.
• We've highlighted a few key comments. I think this one This is fun.
• And it'll give you a real-time answer.
• It can answer just about anything.

Transcript Highlights:

• answering that. Mr. Keenley. answering that. Mr. Keenley.
• Chair, members, I think I finally have the answer you've been looking for.
• I don't have a good answer for you. Um, I think probably for the same reason.
• Well, I'll try to fashion a good answer.
• Chair and members, um I am unable to answer that question.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope that answers your question. I know it was a little bit lengthy.
• So I think under 153, we have a lot of ability... answers your question I know it was a answers your
• He said that is really the key thing.
• the table um so that's really the key the table um so that's really the key thing<00:59:33.160><
• your consideration I'm happy to answer your consideration I'm happy to answer any any any questions

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Municipal and County Government subcommittee met on February 19, 2025 to gather additional information on House Bill 432, which concerns recovery houses. The first witness, State Fire Marshal Sean Tumi, said his office had worked with stakeholders for more than a year on the bill’s definition changes and supported the revised definition. He explained that the bill removes vague language such as “safe, healthy, family” and instead relies on fire-code requirements and certification standards, including a primarily non-transient dwelling unit and living as a single household. He distinguished recovery houses from boarding or rooming houses and from other congregate settings such as group homes or transitional housing, saying those other uses do not currently have the same exemptions. Members questioned Tumi about fire safety, inspections, smoke alarms, egress, and whether sprinklers should be required. He said recovery houses are inspected by the fire marshal’s office and local fire departments, with annual inspections under state fire code provisions, and that operators must work with a certifying body. He described the inspection process as checking alarms, extinguishers, heating systems, cooking equipment, street numbers, and no-smoking rules, and said new houses are generally given time to obtain certification. He also said he would prefer sprinklers everywhere but believed mandating them for these existing structures would likely shut down many recovery houses and significantly harm the recovery community. Bill McKenny of the New Hampshire Building Officials Association then testified in support of HB 432. He said recovery housing is an important step after treatment and that the 2024 code changes and the bill help align state law with federal disability law. He emphasized that certification through a recognized organization gives code officials confidence that standards are being monitored, and warned that if a recovery home loses certification it would lose the waiver from sprinkler requirements and could be treated more like a boarding or rooming house. No vote or final action was taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• A key to that success was our treatment model, which was a biopsychosocial medical model, leveraging
• A key to that success was our treatment model, which was a biocyco-social medical model, leveraging a
• We have to answer any questions you may have. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman and Senator.
• Again, thank you for testifying, and you did answer one of the questions that was coming to my mind,
• I don't have all the answers, but I know this was my answer.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy, who outlined procedures for the hybrid public hearing, noted the committee would hear testimony on 15 bills related to treatment settings, and recognized members present. The first major bill discussed was H. 4200, authorizing a pilot program for psychedelic-assisted treatment in licensed facilities. Representative Jim O’Day and witnesses from Control Z supported the bill, describing it as a tightly controlled, medically supervised pilot with DPH oversight, limited sites, and screening requirements. Committee members asked about the number of sites and whether Column Health still existed; witnesses said the bill contemplated three separate pilot programs and that Column Health no longer existed after being purchased by another company. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1405 to make the drug stewardship program permanent by removing its 2026 sunset date. Senator John Keenan and others said the program helps collect and safely dispose of unused medications, reduces diversion, and should remain in place because manufacturers should bear disposal costs. A member from Boston added support based on local concerns about people searching through bags for drugs, and Keenan explained the original sunset reflected pilot status and industry pushback. A large portion of the hearing focused on S. 1394 and H. 2193, which would strengthen implementation of the 2023 Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform. The Children’s Mental Health Campaign, Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, and Elliott Community Human Services testified that the roadmap’s helpline, community behavioral health centers, and crisis services are important but unevenly implemented. They urged a single point of accountability within EOHHS, regular strategic planning, a public data dashboard, and financial analysis of the behavioral health system and the access and crisis intervention trust fund. Witnesses said commercial insurance often does not fully reimburse community behavioral health center services, making sustainability difficult, and asked for better coordination across agencies and crisis response systems. Committee members asked whether the roadmap includes substance use disorder; witnesses said it is intended to cover behavioral health broadly, including mental health and substance use. The committee also heard testimony on bills to ban aversives and on suicide prevention signage. Lisa Jean Graff testified in support of S. 1394 by urging a statewide ban on aversive practices, including electric shock, withholding food or bathroom access, and other painful interventions, arguing disabled people deserve the same protections from harm as others. Fonda Bryant and Carol McLean supported a bill requiring suicide prevention signs on tall parking garages, describing personal experiences and saying the signs could create a brief pause and connect people to 988 or other help. McLean said her son died by suicide from a parking garage and that signage might have made a difference. The committee also heard strong testimony in support of creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within DMH facilities (S. 1398/H. 2204), with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and a DMH nurse arguing that highly assaultive patients need specialized, more secure units to protect staff and other patients and to improve care. Additional testimony supported creating a dedicated board for licensed mental health counselors (H. 4696/S. 1382), with Rep. John Badger, the Mass Mental Health Counselors Association, and others saying LMHCs are a large and growing workforce that needs its own licensing board, clearer standards, and faster implementation of existing licensure reforms. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H. 2223 regarding benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Survivors and advocates described severe withdrawal, lack of informed consent, cognitive harms, and long-term disability, while a physician supported the bill as a way to improve disclosure of risks. Finally, the committee heard multiple witnesses in favor of H. 2231/S. 1383 to establish peer-run respite centers statewide. Advocates and people with lived experience said peer respites provide non-coercive, home-like alternatives to hospitalization, can reduce trauma and repeated admissions, and may be especially important for marginalized communities; they also cited cost savings and existing positive outcomes from current respite programs. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing portion reflected in the transcript.