Transcript Highlights:

• So, it pays for your travel, pays for your registration fees, so you can serve on these committees and
• </c> we can pay for it with our own dollars. we can pay for it with our own dollars.
• </c><01:07:27.880><c> it</c> penalties of the misdemeanor, raising it penalties of the misdemeanor, raising
• </c><01:08:28.960><c> that</c> back from some of your prosecutors that back from some of your prosecutors
• So if the prosecutor were example.

Transcript Highlights:

• INCREASES AND STARTED RAISING THEIR PAY AND COMPETITOR STARTING RAISING THEIR PAY AND WE HAVE SLIP BACK
• CERTAIN SECTIONS COUNTIES RESPOND TO THAT AND THEN RAISE THEIR PAY TO THEIR JAILERS AND THEIR LOCAL
• RAISES BUT WITH THE PAY RAISES ALL THE STUFF WE ARE HAVING TO DO OVERTIME PHONE CALL, EVERYTHING THAT
• WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO GET PAY RAISES.
• INVESTIGATORS WERE TO RAISE THE ADDITIONAL – ALSO RAISE WHAT WE HAVE AT THE CURRENT PAY.

Transcript Highlights:

• My question is on when a borrower fails to pay.
• I see that you have given some extended time to pay this back.
• We will not be paying cash anymore for over-the-counter transactions.
• I'm a King County prosecutor. I supervise the special operations unit there.
• As a prosecutor, I don't need new felony crimes.

Bills: HB2361 , HB2542 , HB2629 , HB2394 , HB2274 , HB1078 , HB2294

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: small loans, consumer protection, financial regulation, lending limits, credit access, animal testing, alternatives, ethical research, animal welfare, scientific methods, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime, penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in order to work and if they have to pay in order to work and if they have to pay for<00:36:14.400
• </c> that the legislature intended to raise that the legislature intended to raise both<00:41:16.119>
• </c> Care subsidies so they don't have to pay Care subsidies so they don't have to pay very<00:41:42.359
• </c> presumed Indigent and unable to pay presumed Indigent and unable to pay fines<01:06:07.960><c> and
• </c><01:15:08.560><c> stated</c> memorandum the kaii prosecutor stated memorandum the kaii prosecutor

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to housing, homelessness, caregiving, and tax relief. On HB 431, which appropriates funds for the CAL initiative and HHFDC, the Department of Human Services supported the bill and noted the Governor’s request for $50 million per year for HMS, the need for more permanent supportive housing, and a technical issue with establishing a special fund in session law. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions strongly supported the measure, describing it as unprecedented funding for CAL projects and linking it to goals of reducing homelessness and expanding housing inventory. Catholic Charities Hawaii, the ACLU of Hawaii, and the Reimagining Public Safety in Hawaii Coalition also supported the bill, emphasizing permanent supportive housing, diversion from jail, and public safety benefits. The chair redirected one testifier to stay on the measure when testimony drifted to another program. Written support was also noted from several organizations and agencies. The committee then heard HB 225 on squatting. DHS said it appreciated the intent and deferred to the Attorney General and task force members, while noting that outreach on public lands differs from private land, where owner consent is required. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill and wanted a voice in finding a solution. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions also said it supported the intent, while opposition from the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands and support from one individual were noted. For HB 280, which would make the community outreach court permanent and appropriate funds, the Judiciary strongly supported the bill, describing the court as a mobile, community-based program serving vulnerable populations and connecting participants to services. The Office of the Public Defender also supported the measure, saying the program has helped people move off the streets and into stable housing and that permanent funding would allow expansion. Written support from the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition was noted. The committee then moved to HB 71, creating a refundable family caregiver tax credit, where the Department of Taxation provided comments, the Executive Office on Aging and AARP Hawaii supported the measure, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about duplication with an existing dependent care credit and the lack of incentives for cost control. The committee next heard HB 753, which would increase the applicable percentage for the household and dependent care services tax credit. Support came from the Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, and Hawaii Children’s Action Network, while the Tax Foundation again raised technical concerns about complexity and administration but noted the bill adds guardrails against abuse. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Raise your hand if you'd like to speak.
• I know either person can, but who pays for this?
• So they are going to pay. Private doctors are going to pay for that lawyer.
• Raise your hand. Great. And I'm sure you probably have... Raise your hand. Great.
• I mean, you know, I know prosecutors are sometimes the bad guys, everybody hates prosecutors, but truly

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 25, which would prohibit a juvenile who committed a firearm-related delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult from legally owning or possessing a firearm for 10 years after disposition. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address serious youth gun violence without lengthening juvenile sentences or unsealing records, and they emphasized that the substitute language was meant to clarify, not change, the bill’s intent. Support came from law enforcement, the district attorney’s office, CYFD, and business interests, while opponents including the Public Defender, ACLU, and criminal defense advocates argued it conflicts with juvenile-code principles, creates civil disabilities based on juvenile conduct, and could raise Second Amendment and sealing-record concerns. Members raised extensive questions about how the NICS background-check process would work, what offenses would qualify, whether the measure would apply retroactively, and how sealed juvenile records and pardons would be handled. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided; members discussed possibly working on the language further in Judiciary or tabling it. The committee then took up House Bill 15, the Medical Injury and Collaborative Resolution Act, described by the sponsor as New Mexico’s version of a candor law. The bill would create a protected adverse outcome conference process allowing patients and providers to discuss medical injuries or undesirable outcomes outside of court, with the goal of improving communication, giving patients answers, and reducing litigation. A family medicine doctor and a trial lawyer testified in support, saying patients often want explanations more than money and that open conversations can sometimes resolve disputes early. Public commenters also supported the concept, though one noted concerns about how pro se litigants would fit into the process. Committee questions focused on how the bill would define injury, how confidentiality would be enforced, whether statements could be used in court, who would pay for the process, and how it would interact with existing malpractice procedures. The sponsors said the conference would be voluntary, not require an apology, and would be protected by evidentiary rules; if protected statements were introduced at trial, they said remedies such as mistrial could apply. The discussion continued into procedural details, but no final action on HB 15 appears in the provided portion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even the concern raised over line 20, on whether the forfeiture is sought under federal law, local prosecutors
• Even the concern raised over line 20, on whether the forfeiture is sought under federal law, local prosecutors
• Even the concern raised over line 20, on whether the forfeiture is sought under federal law, local prosecutors
• Even the concern raised over line 20, on whether the forfeiture is sought under federal law, local prosecutors
• Even the concern raised over line 20, on whether the forfeiture is sought under federal law, local prosecutors

Summary: The committee first heard CACR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment by Representative Keith Ammon to recognize a fundamental right to use computation resources. Ammon argued that computing is now essential to daily life, speech, education, and economic opportunity, and said the amendment was intended to push back against government or corporate restrictions, citing a 2023 federal executive order on AI registration and reporting as an example of the kind of precedent he wanted to oppose. He said the proposal should be simple and clear because it would go to voters, and he compared the right to compute to other constitutional rights that do not require the government to provide the underlying tools. Committee members raised concerns about the breadth of the language, including whether it could affect encryption, authentication, network security, energy use, and other regulatory issues. Representative McFarland questioned whether the amendment could interfere with security measures, while others asked whether it would prevent ordinary network management such as throttling or require the state to provide internet access or hardware. Ammon responded that the right would not entitle someone to other people’s resources and said encryption and similar issues would sort themselves out. Several members also raised concerns about child safety, public safety, and whether existing laws could still regulate misuse of computing; Ammon said reasonable limits would still apply, similar to other constitutional rights. Sarah Scott of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the amendment would protect innovation, individual autonomy, and economic competitiveness by preventing overregulation. After questions concluded, the chair closed the hearing on CACR 6. The committee then opened House Bill 615, sponsored by Representative Dan Maguire, which would substantially rewrite the state’s drug-forfeiture law. Maguire said the bill is intended to improve fairness and efficiency in cases where property such as cars or cash is seized in connection with drug offenses, noting that the criminal case and the civil forfeiture case are currently handled separately, with the property case prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office. He explained that the bill addresses courtroom procedure for these forfeiture actions and is meant to make the process more specific and orderly.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in our for prosecutors to use.
• Um as prosecutors we their weapons.
• ,</c> law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, healthc<02:06:45.920
• </c><04:39:05.840><c> me</c> hold on to them, then you can pay me hold on to them, then you can pay me
• I'm currently not employed as a prosecutor, but had worked as a prosecutor for the past 24 years.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• That this bill does not pay lip service to survivors.
• You're paying lip service to the 16- and 17-year-old victims of sex crimes.
• No prosecutor will be satisfied with this language.
• And my mama raised me, don't pretend to be who you don't intend to be.
• , a U.S. prosecutor who knows the law and knows and has borne witness to children.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't do this without any ability to pay. They are insured.
• They don't do this without any ability to pay. They are insured.
• I raised all of them in Lexington.
• I was raised in Berkshire County. I'm also a graduate of Miss Hall School.
• I was born and raised in South Africa. I am a survivor of labor trafficking.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• I really was impressed with that where you work with the prosecutors.
• We met with our prosecutors. They stood with us.
• Ironically, that's kind of what started the conversation with the prosecutors.
• Ironically, that's kind of what started the conversation with the prosecutors.
• They'll pay for their expenses while they're in town.

Committee: All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:06.000><c> for</c> responsibility to deliver and pay for responsibility to deliver and pay
• reason is pay not working conditions<00:20:11.120><c> but</c><00:20:11.640><c> pay</c><00:20:12.640><
• </c> meet this critical need not only to pay meet this critical need not only to pay for<00:25:14.799
• She had to pay $1,300 a month for infant child care so she could bring home $2,000 a month to then pay
• </c> this has been the impact of raising this has been the impact of raising salaries<01:30:43.400><c

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• raises these things they do run together but I think if with the leadership pay raises.
• But I think that these pay raises are important, but I think the accountability goes with it.
• And we thank you for your efforts in the 25% pay raises last year.
• Those pay raises provided dividends by reducing turnover from 22%.
• Those pay raises provided dividends by reducing turnover from 22.6% to about 16.5%.

Bills: SB 1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue. The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• She helped raise them and take care of them as well.
• This bill is about raising the visibility that we must do something.
• This bill is about raising the visibility that we must do something.
• Does that raise any other questions? Thank you very much.
• is what prosecutors do.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• This deals with the highway Patrol off duty vehicle use right now when the they pay out of pocket or
• So kudos to prosecutors to very delicately insensitively. Walk that line.
• I will always remember the rest of my life took raised his eyes got the sound of his brow.
• But they also need to charge rent to pay debt service. I get it.
• And I have had the death penalty sought after for the perpetrator of those crimes by prosecutors.

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy is a critical part of our state's economy, whether we talk about the high-paying jobs, all the
• Boiled down, it means that companies have to pay for votes.
• They have no idea what Glass-Lewis is saying about them unless they pay for it.
• Really raises the question of what this is really about.
• And so I think that raises...

Bills: SB312 , SB945 , SB946 , SB1367 , SB1861 , SB2044 , SB2337 , SB2403 , SB2819 , SJR54

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Raise your hand if you came to testify on this bill.
• So this would just be able to raise the defense.
• So this would just be able to raise the defense.
• Notably, many, if not most, prosecutors support this change.
• I've had to use retirement savings to pay attorney's fees.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard a long series of bills, mostly from Senators Hoffman, Fernandez, and Bolick. Early action included SB 1436 on school bond/override ballot language, which passed 4-3 after brief debate over ballot length and transparency. SB 1568, requiring election systems to keep clocks within 60 seconds of official time and making violations a misdemeanor, was amended and passed 4-3 despite concerns about machine failures and the breadth of the penalty. SB 1569, limiting special election board members from collecting voter registrations while assisting confined voters, also passed 4-3 after testimony from county officials and a deputy registrar describing alleged misuse of SEBs. SB 1746, requiring schools to serve as polling places and closing schools on regular primary/general election days for staff training, passed 4-3 over objections about school autonomy and safety. SB 1295, allowing certain incarcerated people needing long-term care or treatment to be transferred to contracted medical institutions, passed unanimously after an amendment narrowing the medical eligibility language. The committee then took up SB 1067, a county blight/abatement bill allowing property tax bills to include assessments for removing rubbish, debris, and dilapidated structures; county officials from Gila and Pima Counties strongly supported it, and it passed 7-0. SB 1285, which would have repealed kratom protections and added kratom and its alkaloids to the narcotic-drug list, drew strong opposition from industry and a pharmacist and failed 3-4 after debate over safety, regulation, and criminal penalties. SB 1413, removing the $100,000 restitution cap for serious injury or death caused by a moving violation, passed after a short explanation that it was intended to conform statutes to a prior Arizona Supreme Court ruling. SB 1476, making prenatal exposure to dangerous or narcotic drugs and fetal alcohol syndrome a class six felony child neglect offense with an affirmative defense for mothers who completed treatment, drew emotional testimony from a foster/adoptive parent and opposition from reproductive justice and criminal defense advocates; it passed 4-2. Later, SB 1585, creating standards and funding mechanisms for sex offender-specific evaluations, treatment, and polygraphs, passed 4-2 after supporters argued it would improve oversight and opponents questioned the added surcharge and appropriation. SB 1662, requiring probation conditions to be the least restrictive necessary and tailored to risk and needs, passed 5-0 with support from justice reform advocates and defense attorneys. SB 1664, adjusting constable nomination signature requirements in Maricopa and Pima Counties, passed unanimously after county association support. The committee then began SB 1666 on in-state custodial interference, with the sponsor and a supporter describing repeated violations of custody orders and arguing for a tiered civil-penalty-to-felony structure; the transcript ends during questioning on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, to the five days that's being permitted to allow the prosecutors to refile or to allow the prosecutors
• Prosecutor had Evidence was presented.
• </c><00:47:58.319><c> an</c> because it I would have had to pay an because it I would have had to pay
• Who informs the controller to pay? It doesn't say.
• I don't know because I'm the prosecutor.

Bills: SB2094

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2094, which would require state agencies monitoring environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels and limit changes to those levels without meeting procedural requirements. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments, including inserting estimated costs for a secure portal website and webinars into the committee report and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among those voting, with excused members noted. The committee then considered several other measures and adopted recommendations to pass them with amendments, generally adding technical and clarifying changes and setting a defective date of 2525. SB 2862 was amended to broaden the preamble, make additional appointees confirmable, clarify reporting requirements for gubernatorial appointees, and was held for further discussion. SB 2781 on lei production created a working group to review existing studies and conduct a statewide study of Hawaii’s floriculture industry. SB 3015 adopted California’s definition of PII, applied it to government agencies and political subdivisions, created a private cause of action, and required a compliance report. SB 3230 removed a categorical prohibition on certain third-party project management procurements while preserving state oversight responsibility, in line with procurement office requests. The joint GVO Health and Human Services agenda then focused on two related bills requiring universal changing accommodations in public restrooms. SB 2932 would apply to new state building construction beginning July 1, 2026, and testimony from disability advocates, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others supported the measure while asking for language clarifying that the requirement applies only where technically feasible and, in some cases, only to state-managed buildings. SB 2268 was described as broader, extending beyond government buildings into the private sector and including a private right of action; witnesses supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, especially for smaller businesses, and requested the same technically infeasible language and other clarifications. Both bills were advanced with amendments, and the committee noted adoption of the recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> their very best, but then also paying their very best, but then also paying for<00:53:52.480><c>
• They did raise some questions.
• Um there they they did raise attorneys.
• :34.239><c> employers</c> empowers prosecutors to hold employers empowers prosecutors to hold employers
• ><c> administrative</c> prosecutors the same administrative prosecutors the same administrative subpoena

Bills: HF2233 , HF1999 , HF1995 , HF1614 , HF2781 , HF1775 , HF1316 , HF2127 , HF2521 , HF689 , HF2380 , HF1273

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• If it appears to the prosecutor that the person is not substantially complying, the prosecutor may make
• We don't have enough prosecutors and defense.
• The added appeal, while not all defense attorneys handle appeals, prosecutors do.
• I'm the lead prosecutor for the Tulalip Tribes.
• Right now, prosecutors can already divert gun possession charges, but they choose not to.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2456, which would create a juvenile firearm early intervention alternative for youth charged in juvenile court with unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree. Staff explained that the program would require prosecutor agreement, intensive community supervision, random suspicionless searches, therapy and mentoring services, periodic court review, and dismissal of the charge upon successful completion. The bill would also raise concealed pistol license fees by $100 each and dedicate the revenue to a new account funding the alternative. Representative Davis said the bill is intended to fill the gap between firearm possession charges and later juvenile sentencing, and to fund evidence-based services; one member questioned whether the fee increase functions more like a tax than a fee. The chair then paused testimony on HB 2456 to return to the other bill. The bulk of the hearing focused on House Bill 2389, which would expand suspended disposition alternatives, reduce some juvenile robbery sentencing ranges, add a midpoint review for certain youth committed to DCYF, and create new rules for juvenile rehabilitation capacity and emergency transfers. Supporters, including youth currently or formerly in juvenile facilities, defense advocates, restorative justice providers, and some judges, argued the bill would reduce overcrowding, improve rehabilitation, address racial disparities, and give judges more individualized options. Several testified that youth need treatment, family connection, and incentives for progress rather than long confinement, and that current sentencing practices are outdated and underuse suspended dispositions. Opponents, including sheriffs, prosecutors, county officials, victim advocates, and some judges, argued the bill would shift costs and responsibility to counties, require resources that do not exist, and weaken accountability for serious offenses such as robbery, assault, and trafficking. They raised concerns about expanded appeals, added court workload, the need for more staffing and programming, and the impact on victims and public safety. DCYF said it supports reducing overcrowding but wants clearer emergency transfer authority for Green Hill; facility staff described improved conditions as population has fallen, but said overcrowding still creates safety and programming problems. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• now either being involved in our law enforcement or prosecutors, and they're not U.S. citizens.
• When I got raised from the X-Files, the zombie bill that actually made it back.
• You need to raise wages. We have constant complaints about affordability in this state.
• For that matter, prosecutors—should prosecutors wear masks because they’re worried about repercussions
• Prosecutor, thank you very much.

Committee: House Community Safety