Transcript Highlights:

• That's a lot of dry prairie right now, dry crop ground, and a lot of antelope.
• That's a lot of of of dry<00:59:32.319> prairie<00:59:32.799> right<00:59:33.040> now
• ,<00:59:33.680> dry<00:59:34.079> crop<00:59:34.400> ground dry prairie right
• now, dry crop ground dry prairie right now, dry crop ground and<00:59:35.359> a<00:59:35.520>

Bills: SF0059, SF0053

Keywords: language proficiency, literacy education, reading interventions, dyslexia support, Montessori methods, individualized reading plans, amateur status, high school athletics, student eligibility, sports regulation, monetary compensation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, um, I just want to thank everybody and just want to leave everybody with, um, I was at Eden Prairie
• I<01:53:17.920> was<01:53:18.000> at<01:53:18.239> Eden<01:53:18.560> Prairie
• <01:53:18.960> High with, um, I was at Eden Prairie High with, um, I was at Eden Prairie High

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, six years later, we have grown to three locations: Excelsior, Eden Prairie, and Victoria.
• three locations, have grown to three locations, Excelsier,<00:29:25.360> Eden<00:29:25.760> Prairie
• Excelsier, Eden Prairie, and Victoria. Excelsier, Eden Prairie, and Victoria.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would authorize the city of Eden Prairie to establish not more than two redevelopment districts
• <01:09:46.400> city<01:09:46.560> of<01:09:46.640> Eden<01:09:46.960> Prairie
• <01:09:47.279> to authorize the city of Eden Prairie to authorize the city of Eden Prairie

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said, from firsthand experience, he had walked through one of her projects in Long Prairie.
• actually<01:01:15.760> is<01:01:15.920> in<01:01:16.280> Long<01:01:16.599> Prairie
• <01:01:17.400> she's<01:01:17.720> adding actually is in Long Prairie she's adding
• actually is in Long Prairie she's adding Apartments<01:01:19.039> redoing<01:01:19.880> uh<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So don't feel like you don't just as long as you don't ask some question about does Lester Prairie really
• So don't feel like you don't just as long as you don't ask some question about does Lester Prairie really
• So don't feel like you don't just as long as you don't ask some question about does Lester Prairie really
• So don't feel like you don't just as long as you don't ask some question about does Lester Prairie really

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I dealt with a situation this fall in which we had a large poultry producer, Pure Prairie, that
• fall uh in which we had a you<00:56:21.200> know<00:56:21.400> Pure<00:56:21.680> Prairie
• /c><00:56:22.119> large<00:56:22.359> poultry<00:56:23.160> uh you know Pure Prairie
• a large poultry uh you know Pure Prairie a large poultry uh producer<00:56:23.720> that<00:56

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• certain property used for grazing purposes, and that is necessary because although certain native prairie
• certain property used for grazing purposes, and that is necessary because although certain native prairie
• certain property used for grazing purposes, and that is necessary because although certain native prairie
• certain property used for grazing purposes, and that is necessary because although certain native prairie

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Steve Swedzinski, Eden Prairie, Menaka.
• 05:24.759> Steve<00:05:25.039> swedzinski<00:05:25.759> Eden<00:05:26.080> Prairie
• <00:05:26.560> menaka me Steve swedzinski Eden Prairie menaka me Steve swedzinski Eden Prairie

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• EBD student, that's a level five student, there are facilities down here that, you know, maybe Eden Prairie
• EBD student, that's a level five student, there are facilities down here that, you know, maybe Eden Prairie
• EBD student, that's a level five student, there are facilities down here that, you know, maybe Eden Prairie
• Um, there are facilities down here that, you know, maybe Eden Prairie High School can say, okay, we can't

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was authored by the eight islands, the main islands, and the po of each island, and so who also reached
• > and<01:11:44.640> so islands and the po of each island and so islands and the po of each
• So how islands.
• that pole of that island. that pole of that island.
• individual islands. individual islands.

Bills: HB1846, HB2205, HB1802, HB1571, HB2047, HB2434, HB2426, HB2361, HB2395, HB1712, HB2544, HB1619

Keywords: coastal erosion, shoreline properties, regional planning, mitigation districts, sediment management, environmental impact, public access, community financing, shoreline erosion, emergency permits, coastal management, erosion control, Hawaii Revised Statutes, HB1802, conservation banking, conservation bank, mitigation banking, compensatory mitigation, incidental take permit, incidental take license

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1846, relating to shoreline mitigation districts. DLNR and the Office of Planning opposed the bill, arguing it would improperly shift regulatory roles between the agencies and prioritize private land interests over public trust and natural and historic resources. Supporters, including the Shoreline Preservation Coalition, Kahana Bay residents, and Hawaii Realtors, said regional planning is needed to address severe erosion, especially in Kahana, and that better coordination between state and county agencies could help move stalled projects forward. Testifiers emphasized that shoreline conditions vary by area and that science-based, region-specific solutions are needed. Members asked questions about whether existing law already allows regional planning and emergency shoreline responses. DLNR said it already has authority to process regional projects and cited an existing draft EIS for Kahana Bay that would proceed through normal permitting and public hearing channels. Supporters responded that the bill would provide a clearer regional planning framework and help communities facing urgent erosion impacts. No vote was taken on HB 1846 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 2205, relating to emergency erosion mitigation. DLNR opposed the bill, saying it already has authority to issue emergency permits and had recently done so quickly for a collapsed sidewalk at Queen Surf Beach, and warning that the bill’s language could weaken Act 16 by changing a prohibition on shoreline hardening to a requirement to merely minimize it. Kahana Bay representatives and other supporters argued the bill would create a limited, regulated short-term pathway for emergency shoreline solutions while long-term plans are developed, and said current permits have expired or stalled, leaving dangerous sandbags and no practical relief. Additional testimony from a private homeowner stressed that erosion is threatening homes and that private owners are often bearing the cost of protecting public shoreline access. The discussion remained focused on balancing emergency protection, public access, and long-term shoreline management, and no final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we're a small little 7-mile barrier island.
• So it pushed 5 to 6 feet of storm surge across our barrier islands.
• We are a barrier island.
• We've asked about regional debris, too, especially for barrier islands.
• You know, in Milton, Helene, Debbie, all those storms came to our island.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests, happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
• Here in California, we are home to more than 7 million Asian and Pacific Islanders.
• And we are proud to recognize this month as Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
• from that island, shows just how special it is.
• And not just the Asian Pacific Islander community, but in all communities.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 35 recognizing May as AAPI Heritage Month, with extensive floor remarks from caucus leaders and members highlighting AAPI history, contributions, and solidarity with other communities. The chamber then honored 14 AAPI honorees from across the state, including public servants, advocates, artists, health professionals, and community leaders, before moving to the regular file. On the floor, the Assembly passed a series of bills on social media harms to minors, labor privilege, foster care family-finding, low-impact camping areas, student body association governance, drink-spiking prevention at music festivals, behavioral health access, greenhouse gas recapture, physical therapy access, housing enforcement, insurance licensing, density bonus clarification, water district proxy voting, park district updates, secured transactions, and property tax relief during emergencies. Most measures passed with broad or unanimous support; notable votes included AB 2 on social media platform accountability passing 59-0, AB 1109 on union communications privilege passing 45-4, AB 409 on student body association open meetings passing 55-6, AB 518 on low-impact camping passing 55-0, AB 668 on drink-spiking protections passing 72-0, AB 348 on behavioral health access passing 69-0, AB 663 on HFC recapture passing 71-0, AB 574 on physical therapy access passing 68-0, AB 712 on housing enforcement passing 57-1, AB 943 on insurance pre-licensing reform passing 63-0, AB 87 on density bonus law clarification passing 63-0, AB 523 on Metropolitan Water District proxy voting passing 62-1, AB 769 on park district code cleanup passing 68-0, AB 771 on secured transactions passing 69-0, and AB 1416 on property tax installment deferrals passing 66-0. The Assembly also took up AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Protection Act, which would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. Supporters described the practice as predatory and discriminatory, while noting ongoing concerns about preserving legitimate discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was presented as a consumer protection measure aimed at preventing hidden price discrimination and reducing cost-of-living pressures. The transcript ends amid repeated and partially duplicated readings of AB 446, without a final vote shown for that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• My neighbor's the one that woke us up and he tried to rescue a family on the island. out there, which
• This river is full of islands. Full of them. Little islands.
• They came over and three of us went across this little island and we found two, two.
• allowing New Zealanderos to only attend 6 protectors for nine productions of the production in South Island
• Thank you, Chair Prairie. and King, and the rest of you committee members.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for patient is on our island.
• So various islands, the payers mostly have the benefit of being on the main island where most of the
• He has no family on the island.
• He has no family on the island. He down. He has no family on the island.
• islands or uh Wai, Wmanalo, Northshore. islands or uh Wai, Wmanalo, Northshore.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with SB 1442, which would update the statute governing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and clarify its role as the state Medicaid provider of intensive mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The Department of Health testified in strong support, saying the current statute is outdated and warning against any unfunded mandate because the division relies on federal funding and faces uncertainty about future resources. Written testimony from several organizations also supported the bill. The committees took no immediate action and said they would hold decision-making until later. The hearing then moved to SB 479 on ABLE savings accounts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, arguing that ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money without losing benefits and that the state needs more outreach and staffing to expand participation. A testifier with a disability said the bill would help people keep Social Security and housing stability. The chair indicated an intention to move the bill forward, and asked about funding; the discussion settled on a requested appropriation of about $75,000 for incentives. Next, SB 1245 on reimbursement of pharmacists drew broad support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, rural pharmacies, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others, who said the bill would improve access to care, especially on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and help pharmacies participate in 340B-related services. The Insurance Division and HMSA raised concerns about bill language, saying it could be read to cover pharmacists outside an insurer’s network and that the scope of reimbursable services needed clarification; the pharmacists’ association said the bill is intended to apply only to in-network pharmacists and should continue to reference existing scope-of-practice law. The hearing also took up SB 1279, which would allow pharmacists to authorize medications via telehealth under certain circumstances. The State Board of Pharmacy opposed the bill, citing patient safety, a pilot project with reported errors, concerns about controlled substances and unregulated technicians, and the view that in-person pharmacist services are safer and already available on the affected islands. Several pharmacies and health care groups supported the measure as a way to preserve 340B access and improve service on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, while some local pharmacies said they already provide in-person service and opposed remote dispensing. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:05:40.400> has court program under the big island has court program under the big island
• , Kauaʻi, and the Big Island.
• , Kauaʻi, and the Big Island.
• The Big Island is struggling to try to help us because of the lack of personnel on the Big Island.
• <01:18:39.600> but on on the big island but on on the big island but um<01:18:42.199> you

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several bills on January 30. SB 286 and SB 287 both concerned supplemental funding for the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney: SB 286 for the career criminal prosecution unit and SB 287 for the victim witness assistance program. Testimony from the department explained that these bills are filed each year because the Attorney General’s core budget allocation may not be sufficient, though the department said the core had recently been increased and the supplemental request might no longer be necessary. For SB 287, the department also warned of a possible federal Victims of Crime Act funding freeze that could cut about $1.88 million and severely harm victim services. Both bills drew support from county and community witnesses, and members asked about prior-year funding and why the requests were limited to fiscal 2025-26; no votes were taken in the excerpt. SB 289, from the State Ethics Commission, would create a more uniform administrative fine process under the ethics code and lobbyist law. The commission said the measure would not change substantive enforcement but would let it issue a notice and order of fine first, with the respondent able to request a hearing within 20 days, which would speed up cases that are not factually disputed. Members questioned whether the bill would deny due process or function like an automatic parking ticket, and the commission responded that respondents could still challenge the fine and that the process would apply to violations with fines under $1,000. The committee also heard SB 304, which would add 11 positions for the First Circuit Adult Client Services Branch; Judiciary testimony said probation caseloads are high, with an average of 116 cases per officer, and the added staff would help meet national supervision standards and better serve higher-risk clients. Members asked whether the positions were already in the budget and about current staffing ratios; the witness said the positions were not already funded and that the Judiciary supported the bill with amendments. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment to exclude spending money to influence elections from protected free speech. Testimony was strongly divided: supporters argued that Citizens United has distorted elections and empowered special interests, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could affect nonprofit advocacy and grassroots groups. Finally, SB 313 would impose a 1% wealth asset tax on individuals with $20 million or more in assets. The Department of Taxation said it had concerns about the bill’s ambiguity and administration and noted it would require annual valuation and likely additional resources; opponents, including family business representatives and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued the tax would be difficult and costly to administer, would require sensitive business disclosures, and could force family businesses to pay from company cash. Supporters said wealthy residents should pay a fair share. The committee heard testimony and questions on these bills, but the excerpt does not show final committee votes or actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• To do and we're proudly partnered with Prairie View uh on a national university transportation center

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the stops aren't designed like that on the island. So, I guess I'm trying to find out.
• Islands online. Islands online. Not<00:01:43.840> on<00:01:44.079> Zoom.
• aren't designed like that on the island. aren't designed like that on the island.
• Like I know like in rest of the island.
• Um other neighbor island prosecutors.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Education committees heard STR 1117 and SR 98, which urge the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and Hawaii County to inventory bus stops used by children on Hawaii Island and develop safety improvements. DOE testified that routes are based on student locations, families must register riders, and access is complicated by county roads and privately owned or HOA-managed roads; members noted the need to focus on the most affected areas and on safety rather than just counting stops. The committees recommended both resolutions be passed with amendments, including adding the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and technical changes, and both measures were adopted by vote. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then heard several resolutions on international relationships and transportation safety. STR 196/SR 76 supporting broader ties with Norway, STR 197/SR 77 supporting broader ties with Sweden, and STR 195/SR 175 supporting broader ties with Sweden all moved forward; testimony generally favored learning from those countries, and the committee adopted amendments to add collaboration language and, in the Norway measure, a reference to prisons and criminal justice. The committee also heard STR 181/SR 51 on lowering the blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05; the Hawaii Alcohol Policy Alliance supported the measure and suggested adding flexibility for the DOT director to appoint additional working group members. The committee amended the resolution to broaden the working group and direct it to examine data, impacts, and implementation issues, then adopted it. On later agendas, the committee approved CR 12/SR 8 recognizing International Dark Sky Week with amendments to create a task force on light pollution and dark skies. It also passed CR 180/SR 150, which would have DOT report on commercial tour operator safety and performance, after amending it to clarify the purpose, require online public information, involve the NTSB, and create a transparency/scoring framework. STR 150 on subsidizing waterborne cargo transport was also passed with technical amendments. Finally, STR 222/SR 197 on towing companies having on-site ATMs was amended into a task force proposal led by the Office of Consumer Protection, and the committee adopted that recommendation. In each case, the chair’s recommendation was to pass with amendments or, for one Sweden measure, pass unamended, and the votes were unanimous with no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Eninoi is going back to her familiar transportation company, and as an island state, whether
• familiar transportation company and as familiar transportation company and as an<00:22:07.919> island
• state whether it's inner an island state whether it's inner island<00:22:10.320> travel<00:22
• travel uh for us personally the island travel uh for us personally the delivery<00:22:14.240> of<
• It sounded like a mix between Island Magic Mike and Tumua.

Bills: HCR1, HCR2, SB2001, SB2002, SB2003, SB2004, SB2005, SB2006, SB2007, SB2008, SB2009, SB2010, SB2011, SB2012, SB2013, SB2014, SB2015, SB2016, SB2017, SB2018, SB2019, SB2020, SB2021, SB2022, SB2023, SB2024, SB2025, SB2026, SB2027, SB2028, SB2029, SB2030, SB2031, SB2032, SB2033, SB2034, SB2035, SB2036, SB2037, SB2038, SB2039, SB2040, SB2041, SB2042, SB2043, SB2044, SB2045, SB2046, SB2047, SB2048, SB2049, SB2050, SB2051, SB2052, SB2053, SB2054, SB2055, SB2056, SB2057, SB2058, SB2059, SB2060, SB2061, SB2062, SB2063, SB2064, SB2065, SB2066, SB2067, SB2068, SB2069, SB2070, SB2071, SB2072, SB2073, SB2074, SB2075, SB2076, SB2077, SB2078, SB2079, SB2080, SB2081, SB2082, SB2083, SB2084, SB2085, SB2086, SB2087, SB2088, SB2089, SB2090, SB2091, SB2092, SB2093, SB2094, SB2095, SB2096, SB2097, SB2098, SB2099, SB2100

Keywords: recess, legislative session, Hawaii State Legislature, 2026, Governor address, joint session, legislature, Hawaii, state of the state, Banyan Drive, Waiakea peninsula, Makaokū, Hilo, Hawaii Island, HCDA, Hawaii Community Development Authority, community development district, redevelopment, urban renewal, blight

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:58.880> islanders<00:11:59.600> and<00:12:00.079> resources those island
• islanders and resources those island islanders and resources from<00:12:01.040> invasive<00:12
• My name is Lori Buchanan from the island of Molokaʻi.
• So, I came in this island of Mai.
• > is<00:46:18.640> very Island because Hawaii Island is very Island because Hawaii Island

Bills: HB1952, HB1951, HB1929, HB2497, HB2208, HB2572, HB1737, HB1953, HB2551, HB2549

Keywords: HB1952, Hawaii agriculture, University of Hawaii, CTAHR, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Kauai, agricultural research station, extension station, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, appropriation, ADA compliance, Americans with Disabilities Act, certified kitchen, greenhouse, laboratory, field research, cesspool decommissioning, invasive species