Transcript Highlights:

• They're standing in the gallery. They're standing in the gallery. Welcome to the Senate.
• We will stand with the Obamas, we will stand with Black communities, we will stand for the dignity and
• We will stand with the Obamas. We will stand with Black communities.
• We stand with you.
• This is why we are all taking a stand. And I know that we are taking a stand.

Transcript Highlights:

• OHA stands on its written comments.
• We stand by for questions.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Yeah, question for the committee. &gt;&gt; Yeah, question for the committee.
• Keith Hayashi, the committee.
• </c> I stand by for any questions. Thank you. I stand by for any questions. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 78, which urges the Department of Education to strengthen natural health education and adopt a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. The Department of Education said it supported the intent and had offered technical amendments to scaffold the curriculum by grade level. The Commission on the Status of Women and several advocates, including students and Ma'i Movement Hawaiʻi, testified in support, describing gaps in menstrual health education, stigma, and the need for more inclusive, age-appropriate instruction. No opposition was heard, and the chair moved on after no questions from members. The committee then took up SCR 194, urging the Department of Education to meet the criteria to recognize cheerleading as a Title IX sport. The Department supported the measure, noting recent expansion of girls flag football and surfing as recognized sports and saying cheerleading would create additional opportunities for students. The Commission on the Status of Women also supported the resolution, saying it could improve participation, resource allocation, and representation for female students. No opposition or further action was recorded in the excerpt. Finally, the committee discussed SCR 195, requesting the Board of Education and Department of Education to revise graduation requirements to include a standalone financial literacy course. The Board of Education and Department of Education both supported the intent but cautioned against a one-size-fits-all mandate, emphasizing school-level flexibility, existing stand-alone and online options, and the requirement that the class of 2030 must complete financial literacy before graduation. Hawaii Kids Can supported the resolution while raising questions about equity, access, quality, and how different delivery models compare; it also asked for more information on community survey data. Committee members questioned the department and board about asynchronous versus in-person instruction, standards, and how the requirement would be tracked in the personal transition plan. No vote or final action was taken in the provided portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. takam we stand on our written comments takam we stand on our written comments that<00:20:03.000
• We stand on our written testimony in support.
• Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair, and committee members. We stand on our testimony with comments.
• </c><00:41:18.240><c> on</c><00:41:18.400><c> our</c> and committee members uh we stand on our and committee
• :41:37.000><c> opposition</c> committee uh we stand in opposition committee uh we stand in opposition

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Academy, if they can stand. Academy, if they can stand.
• :30:45.679><c> committee.
• </c> office to please stand. office to please stand.
• . appointed to a committee on ethics. appointed to a committee on ethics.
• </c> House stand in recess until later today. House stand in recess until later today.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move that the House grant permission for all committees and subcommittees. committees to meet
• They stand together.
• I think they're already standing.
• If they're still here, would you please stand? Stand? Not sure? Regardless, oh, there you are.
• on public, refer the committee on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of standing committees.
• Without objection, reports of standing committees listed on the calendar will not be read; the reports
• Reports of standing committees.
• Reports of standing committees.
• Without objection, reports of standing committees listed on the calendar will not be read.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair, committee. Craig Nakamoto, HCD, standing in support.
• </c> committee.
• Craig Nakamoto HCD standing committee. Craig Nakamoto HCD standing in<00:10:04.959><c> support.
• </c><00:10:49.120><c> SPO</c> [laughter] stand. stand. stand.
• We stand in uh strong Collaborative. We stand in uh strong support. support. support.

Bills: SB2064 , SB2312 , SB2811 , SB2662 , SB2744 , SB2809 , SB2862 , SB2343 , SB2336 , SB2075 , SB2308 , SB2601 , SB2397 , SB2219 , SB2849 , SB2449 , SB2781

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee heard several government operations measures, beginning with SB 2064 on state construction projects, which would create an office of the state architect within DAGS to oversee design review and approvals for state construction. DAGS said it stood on its written testimony, DECAB supported the bill, DOT supported it, and HGA opposed it. No audience testimony or member questions were taken, and the chair moved on. The committee then took up SB 2312 on government contracts, which would make records held by private contractors performing government functions subject to UIPA. The State Procurement Office, Attorney General, OIP, ERS, DHS, and HGA offered comments or opposition, while the League of Women Voters, Public First Law Center, All Hawaii News, Grassroots, and several individuals supported the bill. Public First Law Center argued the bill closes a loophole and does not expand or reduce existing exemptions, while OIP and others raised concerns about privacy, confidential information, and the need for clearer procedures. Members discussed possible clarifying amendments, including changing “government function” to “agency,” and the bill was left for further consideration. Other measures discussed included SB 2662 on government accountability, which would require justification and caps for external consultants; ERS and DOT opposed it, while the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii and Airlines Committee of Hawaii argued consultants are often more efficient and necessary for major projects. The committee also heard SB 2744 on due process, for which no testimony was received; SB 2809 on budget-related reports, with comments from B&F and the Tax Foundation; SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, opposed by the Governor’s Office and the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission and supported by one individual; a bill on continuous legislative sessions, with comments from B&F, LRB, and Hope for Hawaii; SB 2336 on tree management standards, supported by an individual and the Outdoor Circle; and SB 2075 on public procurement local preferences, which drew broad support with comments from SPO and the Attorney General and discussion of simplifying the preference structure. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly moved measures along after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can see him standing, but get there.
• Okay, standing.<00:21:06.799><c> Anyone?</c><00:21:08.159><c> Senator</c> standing. Anyone?
• I move the Senate stand in recess till 5:00 p.m. today or until the last committee report is filed, at
• </c> Senate stand in recess till 5:00 p.m.
• c> today or until the last committee report today or until the last committee report is<00:39:10.880>

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I move that the measures on today's reports of standing committees be referred to the committees
• Senator Riccelli has moved that the measures on reports of standing committees be referred to the committees
• The measures on today's reports of standing committees be referred to the committees as designated, with
• Further reports: supplemental reports of standing committees.
• First order of business: report on standing committees.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5286 , SB6002 , SB6178 , SB5892 , SB5177 , SB6039 , SB5874 , SB5863 , SB5972 , SB5941 , SB5203 , SB6014 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB5912 , SB5825

Summary: The Senate convened with opening ceremonies, approved the previous day’s journal, and referred committee reports and new bill introductions to the designated committees, including sending SB 6118 and SB 6292 to Ways and Means. The chamber then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments to college boards: Glenn F. Ellis to the Peninsula College Board of Trustees, Suzanne Donaldson to the Clark College Board of Trustees, and Jesse E. Johnson to the Highline College Board of Trustees, all by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The Senate then considered and passed several bills. SB 6014, a technical cleanup to pregnancy and postpartum accommodation laws, passed 41-8 after supporters said it clarified privacy protections and removed barriers for workers. SB 5863, dealing with preservation and inspection of state historical records tied to Lakeland Village, passed 49-0. SB 5825, authorizing the Washington State Leadership Board to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments, passed 33-16 after two proposed amendments to limit administrative costs and cap contributions were rejected. SB 5874, allowing employers to correct certain unemployment insurance reporting errors, passed 49-0, and SB 5286, setting a statutory reimbursement cap for local police and fire services provided to state hospitals, passed 49-0 after an amendment set a $750,000 per-biennium maximum per facility. The Senate also passed SB 5904, requiring nursing titles to be used only by licensed human persons, and SB 5915, updating the health technology assessment process used for coverage decisions, both unanimously. SB 5919, creating voluntary wildfire-prevention incentives for agricultural producers and fire districts, also passed 49-0. SB 5938, making adjustments to foreclosure prevention fees and exemptions, passed 49-0. SB 5957, expanding the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Program and its advisory committee, was taken up near the end of the transcript, with supporters emphasizing youth safety and trafficking prevention; the roll call was underway when the transcript ended. A major policy debate centered on SB 6002, which regulates automated license plate reader systems and driver privacy protections. After a proposed amendment to expand authorized uses was rejected, the bill’s striker was adopted. Supporters described the measure as a bipartisan privacy-and-public-safety balance that limits misuse and unauthorized sharing of ALPR data while preserving law enforcement utility; opponents argued it still needed more work or broader privacy protections. The engrossed second substitute passed 48-9. Another significant debate involved SB 5972, expanding interest arbitration for correctional employees in local city and county governments; supporters cited consistency and labor stability, while opponents warned of burdens on smaller counties. That bill passed 34-15. SB 5203, creating a wildlife connectivity planning and funding framework, passed 31-18 after supporters argued it would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve grant competitiveness, while critics said it was too prescriptive and could affect rural land use and agriculture.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in lie of standing up a used.
• </c> we'll stand on our submitted comments. we'll stand on our submitted comments.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Shel Niles, I'll stand. &gt;&gt; Shel Niles, I'll stand.
• </c> before this committee. before this committee.
• </c> folks to stand it up. folks to stand it up.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The joint HHS and LBT meeting opened with accessibility concerns, as several blind attendees arrived after the general public had already been seated. The chair apologized and said future hearings would try to seat blind members earlier. The committee also announced the hearing was being streamed on YouTube, testimony would be limited to one minute, and written testimony was available online. The first bill heard was SB 2281, relating to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The Department of Health supported transparency for patients but preferred disclosure through provider websites and office signage rather than a new regulatory program. The Hawaii Medical Association and Healthcare Association of Hawaii generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about administrative burden and suggested a working group or model policies. Hawaii Pacific Health said it already uses AI for note-taking and patient portal functions and worried that written notice requirements could create too much consumer information. In response, the chair emphasized that patients should be informed when AI is used, especially if it affects diagnosis or consequential decisions, and said AI should not be making medical decisions. The committee later voted to recommend SB 2281 pass with amendments, including narrowing the definition of consequential decisions, removing certain language requested by DOH, adding a two-year implementation period, and setting a far-future defective date for further discussion; both committees adopted the recommendation, with the chair voting aye and the vice chair voting with reservations. The second major bill was SB 2852, a civil rights measure focused on digital access for people with disabilities. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii all supported the bill, arguing that existing law clearly protects physical access but should also make digital access explicit. Blind testifiers described how accessible technology, such as VoiceOver on iPhones, allows them to participate independently in public processes and warned that inaccessible digital systems can create barriers for thousands of blind residents. One testifier, an attorney with disability-law experience, supported the bill’s intent but said the draft had flaws, including no exceptions for archived materials, no distinction between small and large businesses, and concerns about the timing and choice of accessibility standards; he suggested delegating regulatory authority to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. The bill’s sponsor said he supported DAB’s proposed amendments, and the committee indicated those amendments would address many of the concerns raised. No final vote on SB 2852 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 2751, which defines compounded prescription drugs for workers’ compensation purposes. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments to keep pharmacists as the primary professionals authorized to compound in licensed pharmacies and to limit any physician compounding authority to the physician’s own patient. Supporters included the Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, while Solera Integrated Medical Solutions opposed the measure, arguing the current definition was already broad enough and warning about cost inflation, especially with 503B bulk compounding facilities and physician dispensing. In questioning, members asked about rural access, reimbursement for 503B products, and late testimony suggesting definitions for 503A and 503B facilities, limits on physician dispensing to 30 days post-injury, and pre-approval for non-FDA-approved drugs. DLIR said not every rural community has licensed pharmacists available, that products with a national drug code are reimbursed at 140%, and that 503B facilities raise concerns because they are bulk manufacturers rather than patient-specific compounding operations. The meeting then moved into decision-making on SB 2281; the chair’s pass-with-amendments recommendation was adopted by both committees, with the vice chair voting with reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> chair, and members of the committee. chair, and members of the committee.
• </c><00:16:27.040><c> Elizabeth</c> Chun and committee. Dr. Elizabeth Chun and committee. Dr.
• </c><00:17:22.079><c> Rachel</c> members of the committee. Rachel members of the committee.
• Uh, Chair Matayoshi, Vice Chair Chan, members of the committee, Walden, on behalf of HMSA, we stand on
• </c> vice chair and members of the committee. vice chair and members of the committee.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard testimony on several measures. SB 1402, relating to vessels in state commercial harbors, drew opposition from Captain Andy Sailing Incorporated, and later the committee agreed to amend the bill to exempt tour boat operators before passing it. SB 1411, relating to Medicaid third-party liability, received strong support from the Department of Human Services, which asked that the effective date be restored to upon approval. SB 1438, relating to home care agencies, was supported by the Department of Health and one individual testifier, with the department arguing that unlicensed personnel performing skilled nursing services puts kupuna at risk. The committee later moved that bill forward with a clean date. SB 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association and comments from the Hawaii Association of Health Plans and HMSA. Health plans asked that reporting requirements align with upcoming CMS regulations, and HMSA noted the work of the stakeholder process. The committee discussed the bill as consumer-focused and adopted amendments to add laboratory and diagnostic tests and to require the working group’s first report before the 2026 session and before each session thereafter. SB 1291, relating to certified public accountants, received support from the Board of Public Accountancy, the Hawaii Society of CPAs, Hong Consulting LLC, and Ron Heler, who said it was substantially the same as a previously passed House bill and would help increase the CPA pipeline in Hawaii. The committee also heard SB 752, relating to insurance, with opposition and comments from the Hawaii Insurance Council and Liberty Mutual, which requested amendments on non-payment of premiums, material misrepresentation, and limiting the bill to homeowners insurance. Greg Mskian testified in support but urged clearer notice and denial explanations for homeowners. SB 385, relating to condominiums, drew support from Hawaii Realtors and detailed comments from Ray Tenno and Greg Mskian about making governing documents available online or by email to owners and agents, with discussion of website costs and access. Finally, SB 140, relating to invasive species, received support from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and CAPS, while the Department of Agriculture offered comments and proposed streamlining language; supporters emphasized firewood treatment standards and the need to prevent invasive pests. After a brief recess, the committee took votes on several measures, adopting the chair’s recommendations on SB 1402, SB 1411, SB 1438, SB 1449, and SB 1291.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:15.360><c> Beginning</c> Beginning also on page nine, standing committee report numbers 1964
• Standing committee report numbers 1945 to 1959 on governor's messages for adoption.
• Standing<00:03:33.040><c> committee</c><00:03:33.360><c> report</c><00:03:33.680><c> numbers</c><00:03
• :34.159><c> 1945</c> Standing committee report numbers 1945 Standing committee report numbers 1945 to
• President, I move for the adoption of said standing committee reports and House Concurrent Resolutions

Transcript Highlights:

• If you would stand up, Jaylen.
• Jaden, can you stand up, please?
• Reports of standing committees.
• Without objection, reports of standing committees as listed on the calendar will not be read.
• amendment thank you mr. chairman I move that the committee amendment in transportation committee be

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; HPHA stands on his testimony. &gt;&gt; HPHA stands on his testimony.
• </c> &gt;&gt; HA stands on his testimony comments. &gt;&gt; HA stands on his testimony comments.
• Stand<00:09:06.160><c> testimony</c><00:09:06.640><c> offering</c><00:09:07.120><c> comments</c> Stand
• ><00:11:27.519><c> the</c><00:11:27.839><c> major</c> committee report, we'll note the major committee
• committee is now adjourned.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing heard and then took action on a series of housing-related bills concerning HHFDC, HPHA, inclusionary zoning, nonprofit housing trusts, housing project exemptions, the rental housing revolving fund, and a new for-sale housing program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and HPHA, with additional support from groups such as Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Holo Collaborative, the Kobayashi Group, and others. On SB 2424, the Kobayashi Group argued the bill would help open housing to a broader pool of local households, including buyers slightly above income limits who still cannot afford market-rate housing. On SB 2342, the chair asked HHFDC for final figures on rental housing revolving fund appropriations since 2016 and was told the amount was about $1.1 billion, including conveyance tax revenue. In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2189 with amendments, noting concerns about transparency and accountability in HHFDC’s loan-award process; SB 2190 with amendments; SB 2234 with amendments; SB 2177 with amendments; SB 2194 unamended; SB 2342 with amendments; SB 2060 with amendments; and SB 2070 with amendments. The committee deferred SB 2195 and SB 2196 after testimony comments, and deferred SB 2063 because the chair said SB 2060 would be used instead as the vehicle for mixed-income subaccount changes. SB 2424 was discussed in hearing but then deferred in decision-making pending legal advice on issues including owner-occupancy, county income restrictions, buyback rules, and county council approval. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2062 and its proposed SD1, but deferred that measure because the relevant changes had already been incorporated into SB 2060 SD1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of standing committees and divisions.
• </c><00:07:15.520><c> committees</c> clerk.
• Reports of standing committees clerk.
• Reports of standing committees and divisions.<00:07:19.199><c> A</c><00:07:19.440><c> copy</c><00:07:
• Rules Committee will be meeting in G3 upon recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Beginning on page 34, standing committee report numbers 1860 to 1864 for one day notice.
• On pages 38 to 40, standing committee report numbers 1851 to 1859 on governor's messages for adoption
• </c><00:03:00.560><c> committee</c> Beginning on page 34, standing committee Beginning on page 34, standing
• </c><00:03:19.360><c> committee</c> On pages 38 to 40, standing committee On pages 38 to 40, standing
• Please stand up.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for committee understanding. for committee understanding.
• Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee, we stand in support on our written testimony.
• </c><00:38:52.960><c> on</c><00:38:53.200><c> our</c> committee, we stand in support on our committee
• We stand in support. Thank &gt;&gt; Thank you. We stand in support.
• committee is before the committee, this committee is ajour.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1688, which would provide a general excise tax exemption for certain aircraft maintenance materials, parts, tools, and facility construction, received comments from the Department of Taxation and support from Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Kohala Coast Resort, the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Testimony indicated the measure was intended to clarify an existing exemption rather than create a new one. The bulk of the hearing focused on HB 2386, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms and a water carrier inflationary cost index. The Department of Transportation said it would change its testimony to support the bill, citing a 2020 working group recommendation, while the PUC and DCCA offered comments. Matson, the Maritime Group, Hawaii Harbors Users Group, and Young Brothers supported the measure, arguing it would modernize regulation, improve predictability, and help maintain reliable interisland shipping. Hawaii Farm Bureau offered comments, while Hawaii Food Industry Association, Maui Brewing Company, Lani Kai Brewing Company, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii opposed it, arguing automatic rate increases were not the solution and that underlying costs and efficiencies should be addressed first. The chair noted the bill was essentially the same as one previously considered, and asked questions about how Hawaii’s water carrier regulation compares with other states. The committee also heard HB 1691, which would allow electronic signatures for certain motor vehicle title transfers after total-loss insurance settlements and remove the notary requirement for that narrow transaction. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and one individual supported it, with Copart saying the change would reduce delays and could allow a faster, largely electronic settlement process. Members asked about county impacts, and Copart said counties would only see a different form with no added cost or electronic integration. HB 1680, requiring county finance directors to notify agencies through a centralized system for vehicle transfers, drew opposition from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services and one individual in support. HB 2516, raising helmet requirements for electric foot scooters and bicycles and requiring helmets for high-speed or Class 3 electric bicycles, received support from DOT, DOH, AAA Hawaii, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. HB 193, allowing deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation visible to law enforcement, drew support from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, the Hawaii Disabilities Rights Center, and an individual who suggested amendments to broaden the bill to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and adjust the proof standard. HB 2442, increasing required accessible and van-accessible parking spaces in larger parking lots, was supported by the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Disability Rights Center, which said the bill would address shortages of accessible parking and may need technical amendments to align terminology with the ADA.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a couple of standing committee reports. Reader, please. Standing committee reports.
• 43:18.400><c> committee</c> discussion on the standing committee discussion on the standing committee
• </c><00:49:28.640><c> committee</c> those in favor of standing committee those in favor of standing committee
• <c> committee</c> standing committee amen committee standing committee amen committee amendment<00:54
• ><c> committee</c> discussion on the standing committee discussion on the standing committee amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports from standing committees.
• to the Committee on the Judiciary.
• Your Committee on Government Organization has had under consideration. the Committee on Finance.
• for Committee Substitute for House Bill 4483, relating to Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute
• Ingrossed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute. I don't clerk read bill first time.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to make an announcement. >> May proceed. >> To the members of the House standing committee on
• > rules</c> the committee on committees and rules the committee on committees and rules committee<00:
• Speaker, I move you, sir, that the House shall stand in recess for a meeting of the Committee on Committees
• Without objection, the House stands in recess for a meeting of the Committee on Committees and the Rules
• Committee at the clerk's desk. committees and rules committee at the committees and rules committee