Transcript Highlights:

• Doug Subers, on behalf of the Secure AI Project, in strong support. Thank you.
• And they're not getting paid, like Homeland Security.
• A restraining order should never create a false sense of security.
• The gate then opens on the other side of the gate is an armed security guard.
• place, security measures that are not in place at the Catholic Church that I attend.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:05:54.000> IT, for the house sergeant, house IT, for the house sergeant, house IT, security
• Security, and House public information. And then September 2027 is when everybody moves in.
• > and >> does that include the safety and >> does that include the safety and security
• upgrades that were needed and security upgrades that were needed and are<01:15:29.120> we<01:
• standpoint from an for from a security standpoint from an IT<01:16:35.600> standpoint.

Bills: HF4912, HF4664

Keywords: electronic pull-tabs, pull-tabs, tipboards, gambling tax, Minnesota Racing Commission, Thoroughbred, horse racing, Minnesota-bred horses, breeders, owners, racing purses, industry subsidy, gambling revenue dedication, problem gambling, compulsive gambling treatment, general fund appropriation, state affiliate National Council on Problem Gambling, racing incentives, equine industry, public officers

Transcript Highlights:

• We secure insurance and bonds, pay prevailing wage or higher.
• Administration or other Social Security Administration or other types<01:01:40.680> of<01:01:
• <01:02:07.320> of we we agree that the the security of we we agree that the the security of
• Larson: Chair and members, uh, we agree that the security of data is of the utmost importance, and we
• If that secures your vote to move it on, which you've already shaken your head that you will not, so

Bills: HF1234, HF3528, HF3672, HF3679, HF3680, HF1944

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, data transparency, Legislative Budget Office, state agencies, fiscal notes, public data, standard time, federal law, time zone

Transcript Highlights:

• If they do, then maybe they need to have a smaller loan that they can secure from somebody else, not
• So, it's almost like we've based the loan on, hey, we will give you money if you cannot secure a loan
• cannot secure a loan someplace<01:07:11.119> else.
• The function of this government is to secure these rights.
• The function of this government is to secure these rights.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and on my most recent time I rented, I had an issue with a return on my security deposit.
• My landlord, who is a professional landlord registered here in Honolulu, withheld my security deposit
• I think it was 52-52 around security deposits.
• I think it was 52-52 around<01:22:31.280> security<01:22:31.679> deposits.
• around security deposits. around security deposits. um<01:22:33.920> and<01:22:34.239>

Bills: SB2045, SB2354

Keywords: combat sports, boxing, mixed martial arts, health regulations, safety standards, licensing, event regulation, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 2071 on rent-to-own housing. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and Hawaii Realtors, but Sierra Club of Hawaii and others opposed the bill unless it was amended to exclude ceded lands from the 99-year lease provision. Members discussed the scope of ceded versus non-ceded lands and whether an inventory exists. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including HHFDC’s proposal to make the fixed-price period flexible by tying it to an option period and Sierra Club’s language limiting the program to non-ceded state or county land. They then heard SB 2191 on limited profit housing associations. HHFDC supported the measure, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Office of the Auditor urged caution about tax exclusions and asked for clearer, more targeted limits and measurable outcomes. The committees adopted amendments to add a statement of purpose, include measurable metrics, apply the tax provisions to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and delay the effective date to allow for administrative changes. SB 2191 was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also considered SB 2197, which would have replaced the five-year fixed-price period in rent-to-own housing with an option period set by HHFDC, but deferred it indefinitely because its issues were addressed in SB 2071. SB 2180 on deposits of public funds drew comments from the Hawaii Bankers Association questioning definitions and noting banks are already subject to Community Reinvestment Act requirements; decision-making was deferred to the next day in the CPN committee and to a later date for the housing committee. Finally, SB 2210 on housing discrimination received support from disability advocates and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, which asked for one additional investigator; the committees passed it with amendments adding a blank appropriation for one full-time position and planned to notify Ways and Means for possible re-referral.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so she'll be the new deputy for employment security.
• And the system is set up so that you're reporting all the time to the Department of Employment Security
• >> Thank you. >> I think, uh, the Employment Security is very interested in preventing fraud and
• <01:27:41.760> is they you know employment security is they you know employment security is
• is not going to be employment security is not going to be able<01:28:24.800> to<01:28:24.960>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a pathway to keep people informed and rights secure and data strong, and what is that?
• Is there a pathway to keep people informed and rights secure and data strong, and what is that?
• Is there a pathway to keep people informed and rights secure and data strong, and what is that?
• Is there a pathway to keep people informed and rights secure and data strong, and what is that?
• Is there a pathway to keep people informed and rights secure and data strong, and what is that?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Seclusion Working Group approved the minutes from its November 5, 2025 meeting and then heard presentations from Jessica Heiser and Aaron Sansmark of Solutions Not Suspensions and the Minnesota Disability Law Center on the misuse and illegal use of seclusion in schools. They described illegal seclusion as including use outside emergencies, for discipline or noncompliance, beyond the emergency period, in unregistered rooms, without parent notice, without required observation or documentation, for students outside the grade-limit rules, when meals/restroom/water are withheld, or when staff are not properly trained. They emphasized that Minnesota lacks a single reliable data source for identifying illegal seclusion and that families often learn about incidents late, if at all, making complaints and legal action difficult because of barriers such as time, cost, language, and access to advocates. The presenters summarized Minnesota Disability Law Center records, saying they receive about one seclusion-related case per month during the school year, statewide, and that in the cases reviewed over the last year the children were all boys with disabilities, including autism, ADHD, developmental delay, or emotional disabilities; three were white and two were children of color, and four of the five were age 10 or younger. They said all of those families pulled their children from school afterward, and that five of five cases potentially had valid illegal-seclusion claims, though only three pursued legal action. They also noted PACER reports many discipline and behavior calls involving seclusion but does not keep hard records. The presenters proposed better statewide data collection, including identifying school buildings, staff, or students involved, reporting incident duration, and adding a checkbox on MDE complaints to flag restraint/seclusion allegations. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on disproportionality. The presenters cited national research showing students with disabilities and students of color, especially Black boys, are disproportionately restrained or secluded, while acknowledging Minnesota does not have a single statewide racial aggregate for seclusion. Members discussed whether banning seclusion would reduce misuse and disproportionality, whether it could increase physical holds or injuries, and whether the issue should be viewed in the broader context of emergency interventions. Heiser argued Minnesota is moving in the same direction as federal actions and other states that have restricted or banned seclusion, and noted that the current birth-through-third-grade ban has reportedly reduced seclusion by 40%. Other members agreed disproportionality is a serious systemwide problem, but emphasized the need to keep the conversation focused on seclusion and emergency use. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really about food security within the state, and that's been rescinded.
• But really this meant food<00:15:41.680> food<00:15:42.000> security,<00:15:42.800>
• climate<00:15:43.199> friendly<00:15:43.600> a food food security, climate friendly
• a food food security, climate friendly a agriculture,<00:15:45.199> um<00:15:45.440> planting
• This is really about food security This is really about food security within<00:15:54.560> the

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment committees held an informational briefing on how recent federal policy changes, funding delays, cancellations, and layoffs are affecting Hawaii’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, and on the legality of some of those federal actions. Chair Carl Rhodes and Chair Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing it as part of an interim series on the rule of law and Hawaii’s response to federal actions. They noted there would be no public testimony, only invited presenters, and that questions would be held until the end. No votes or formal committee actions were taken. State climate change coordinator Leah Laramie described broad impacts from federal actions, including grant cancellations, litigation over terminated funding, staff cuts at NOAA and EPA, and the effect of the federal tax and spending law she said would raise energy costs, reduce grid reliability, and threaten renewable energy and transportation projects. She highlighted the loss or expiration of incentives for EVs and other clean-energy technologies, the termination of the Solar for All program and other rescissions, and the risk to major Hawaii projects such as Carbon Smart Commodities and other energy and land conservation programs. She also said the state’s attorneys general had taken numerous climate-related legal actions, including suits challenging federal cuts and the oil companies’ role in the climate crisis. Retired Justice Michael Wilson focused on the rule of law and climate justice, arguing that Hawaii is on the front line of climate change and that fossil fuel companies pose the greatest long-term threat. He said the state lacks a comprehensive climate protection plan despite the urgency of the crisis, cited UN and scientific warnings about a limited time horizon and severe warming, and pointed to projected local harms such as sea-level rise, beach loss, infrastructure damage, and major economic losses in Waikiki. His remarks emphasized the need for stronger planning and legal accountability, especially in light of federal rollbacks and the influence of fossil fuel interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• A homeless elders case manager helped him access Social Security benefits and find an apartment.
• helped him access social security helped him access social security benefits<01:21:21.120> and
• Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home.
• Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home.
• Security um I fear that this uh is only Security um I fear that this uh is only going<01:23:20.080>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:10:21.320> fencing<01:10:22.000> black it into the site security fencing black
• it into the site security fencing black top<01:10:22.880> pad<01:10:23.880> adequate<01
• Her small Social Security check and no partner benefits because they never married left her embarrassed
• <01:23:32.239> check years her small social security check years her small social security
• and had she had a small social security and had she had a small social security check<01:23:34.560

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The third-ranked issue that tenants call our hotline about is security deposits.
• This accounted for 2,13 calls and was for help in retrieving their security deposit.
• Under current law, the voter provides either the last four of their Social Security number or driver's
• Under current law, the voter provides either the last four of their Social Security number or driver's
• > a Unfortunately, quite frequently, a voter will apply with their last four of their Social Security

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Secure access of the MMRC and its abstractors to certain protected data.
• Secure access of the MMRC and its abstractors to certain protected data.
• Secure access of the MMRC and its abstractors to certain protected data.
• Secure access of the MMRC and its abstractors to certain protected data.
• Secure access of the MMRC and its abstractors to certain protected data. Mr.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:36.039> cards<00:18:36.280> and<00:18:36.440> bir social security cards
• and bir social security cards and bir certificates<00:18:37.320> as<00:18:37.480> well
• We asked for security. Sheriff's, can you come up with a figure for that as well?
• But there are FBI policies as far as security, as looking at something on a cell phone and accessing
• uh as looking at something on a security uh as looking at something on a cell<01:26:34.080> phone

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:

• A portion of that revenue is set aside, and the dollars are used to secure the next round of events.
• help attract and secure these events. help attract and secure these events.
• It creates a performance-based model that reinvests tax revenue generated by events back into securing
• It creates a performance-based model that reinvests tax revenue generated by events back into securing
• Other states are making significant investments to secure these events.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, additionally, the state does have what we call the premium security plan, or reinsurance.
• um and revenue cycle security um and revenue cycle management. management. management.
• The change health care security event last year, as well as the dissolution of UCare this year, are both
• The change healthc<01:20:36.560> care<01:20:36.880> security<01:20:37.360> event
• last year as healthc care security event last year as well<01:20:38.960> as<01:20:39.120>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the safety, security, and comfort of all attendees, please note the following guidelines.
• Since we've returned, there's been a number of different security measures put in place.
• We have present with us state troopers and security personnel that are present to ensure everyone's safety
• And the only reason people knew was because it got caught on a security camera.
• And the only reason people knew was because it got caught on a security camera.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• made two or three trips back to<00:09:01.360> DC<00:09:01.680> to<00:09:01.920> secure
• that those agreements to DC to secure that those agreements and<00:09:03.600> contracts.
• ,<01:32:45.600> accuracy, audits provides a security, accuracy, audits provides a security
• The policy of the federation members is to have secure, accurate elections.
• ,<01:35:35.679> accurate have secure, accurate have secure, accurate elections.<01:35:38.080

Bills: SF0102, SF0113

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, hand count audit, ballots, election integrity, transparency, voting system, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a single case agreement for secure a single case agreement for residential<00:48:21.280> placement
• He has a safe and secure, closed campus where he literally has taken off.
• Those domains are economic security, health, education, and family and community.
• So whenever we talk about economic security, we're looking at the number of children in a county that
• Like I said, I know they utilize the USDA's food security report that comes out every year.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend. The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities. Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, they're getting their funding through securities.
• Uh, they're getting their funding through securities.
• Uh, they're getting their funding through securities.
• Uh, they're getting their funding through securities.
• Uh, they're getting their funding through securities.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up the pooled risk management program bill and reviewed a new amendment drafted with input from the Insurance Department and Legislative Services. Department witnesses explained that the proposal would move oversight of pooled risk management programs from the Secretary of State’s office to the Insurance Department, add a licensure requirement, preserve the programs’ non-insurer status, and exempt them from third-party administrator licensure. They also described a series of solvency tools in the draft, including financial reporting, risk-based capital standards, minimum capitalization, investment limits, commissioner examination and enforcement authority, rulemaking authority, merger and affiliate-transaction review, confidentiality protections, and a separability clause. A major theme of the discussion was that pooled risk management programs differ from commercial insurers because the risk remains with the member local governments rather than being backed by a state guarantee fund. Witnesses said the bill is designed to emphasize solvency over return of premium and to give the Insurance Department a regulatory “toolbox” to prevent insolvency, including a proposed $5 million excess or stop-loss coverage benchmark, optional accessible policies, and a requirement that boards vote on dividends or premium returns when capital exceeds 600% of risk-based capital. Members questioned how this approach differed from the original Secretary of State bill and whether assessments on towns would still be possible; the department responded that the new framework would allow more flexible oversight and alternatives to immediate court action. The committee also discussed why the statute should continue to say the programs are not insurers, with the department explaining that this preserves their autonomy and avoids applying unrelated insurance laws and premium taxes. Members asked about the department’s workload and were told the department believed it could absorb the new duties without additional funding. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but national security to them and what it means to us, I think, are different things.
• We saw at Red Hill that national security to them was protecting their asset even though they knew full
• , but national security to them and what it means to us, I think, are different things.
• Really, national security is the people of Hawaiʻi, and that's what they should be focusing on.
• is the people really National Security is the people of<01:16:45.080> Hawaii<01:16:46.040>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.