Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, first offense, $550, and then subsequent, it's like, “Wow, this is pretty heavy-handed.”
• I mean, first first offense<02:44:09.400><c> $550</c><02:44:10.840><c> and</c><02:44:10.960><c> then<
• /c><02:44:11.160><c> subsequent,</c><02:44:12.120><c> it's</c> offense $550 and then subsequent, it's
• offense $550 and then subsequent, it's like,<02:44:12.360><c> "Wow,</c><02:44:12.600><c> this</c><02

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when a country was liberated recently, that was considered a horrific offense.
• recently that was considered a liberated recently that was considered a horrific<00:01:49.360><c> offense
• </c><00:01:49.920><c> Even</c><00:01:50.159><c> though</c><00:01:50.240><c> it's</c> horrific offense
• Even though it's horrific offense.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, at one point in the meeting, I said, "You know, no offense, but it's not like you guys make a ton
• /c><03:32:53.359><c> "You</c><03:32:53.680><c> know,</c><03:32:53.840><c> no</c><03:32:54.080><c> offense
• ,</c> meeting, I said, "You know, no offense, meeting, I said, "You know, no offense, but<03:32:54.880

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we are probably one, [laughter] no offense to any of the other agencies, but we're probably one of
• :01:14.720><c> no</c> Uh we are probably one, [laughter] no Uh we are probably one, [laughter] no offense
• 15.439><c> of</c><04:01:15.520><c> the</c><04:01:15.680><c> other</c><04:01:15.840><c> agencies,</c> offense
• to any of the other agencies, offense to any of the other agencies, but<04:01:16.399><c> we're</c><04

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, for the member, does the member at all find it offensive that the town feels the need to hire a lobbyist
• member at all for the member, does the member at all find<04:58:20.480><c> it</c><04:58:20.718><c> offensive
• > that</c><04:58:21.520><c> the</c><04:58:22.000><c> town</c><04:58:22.718><c> feels</c> find it offensive
• that the town feels find it offensive that the town feels the<04:58:23.200><c> need</c><04:58:23.360

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, in light of the president's offensive and cruel post about the tragic murders of director Rob
• Speaker, in light of the president's offensive<07:18:45.680><c> and</c><07:18:46.000><c> cruel</c><07
• :18:46.320><c> post</c><07:18:46.798><c> about</c><07:18:47.120><c> the</c> offensive and cruel post
• about the offensive and cruel post about the tragic<07:18:47.760><c> murders</c><07:18:48.240><c> of<

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, December 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's appalling, it's offensive, and it's unacceptable.
• 17:00.160><c> It's</c><05:17:00.400><c> appalling,</c><05:17:00.878><c> it's</c><05:17:01.120><c> offensive
• It's appalling, it's offensive, savings.
• It's appalling, it's offensive, and<05:17:01.680><c> it's</c><05:17:01.840><c> unacceptable.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• people who work with his medically involved daughter, are paid less than McDonald's employees, no offense
• paid uh less than McDonald's<00:12:06.560><c> employees</c><00:12:07.240><c> no</c><00:12:07.440><c> offense
• </c><00:12:07.760><c> against</c> McDonald's employees no offense against McDonald's employees no offense

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Studies show that restorative justice programs reduce crime, reduce repeat offenses, reduce the cost
• justice programs reduce crime<04:07:43.520><c> reduce</c><04:07:43.800><c> repeat</c><04:07:44.199><c> offenses
• </c><04:07:45.119><c> reduce</c><04:07:45.520><c> the</c> crime reduce repeat offenses reduce the crime
• reduce repeat offenses reduce the cost<04:07:45.960><c> of</c><04:07:46.159><c> Criminal</c><04:07:46.640

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We wouldn't use culpable mental states in a violation-level offense.
• a wouldn't use culpable mental States in a violation<04:08:05.720><c> level</c><04:08:06.040><c> offense
• </c><04:08:06.560><c> it</c><04:08:06.760><c> puts</c><04:08:07.279><c> the</c> violation level offense
• it puts the violation level offense it puts the level<04:08:07.720><c> of</c><04:08:07.920><c> proof

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The former VP of finance for many, many years has said that for these types of offenses and for violations
• The former VP of finance for many, many years has said that for these types of offenses and for violations
• ><03:57:36.880><c> these</c><03:57:37.199><c> types</c><03:57:37.439><c> of</c><03:57:37.680><c> offenses
• </c><03:57:38.800><c> and</c><03:57:39.199><c> for</c> that for these types of offenses and for that
• for these types of offenses and for violations<03:57:40.399><c> there</c><03:57:40.640><c> should</c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• to address the property-related nuisances that you're all so familiar with: pests, bugs, rubbish, offensive
• to address the property-related nuisances that you're all so familiar with: pests, bugs, rubbish, offensive
• ><c> rubbish</c> all so familiar with pests bugs rubbish all so familiar with pests bugs rubbish offensive
• 03.080><c> smells</c><01:26:03.719><c> or</c><01:26:04.159><c> noise</c><01:26:05.159><c> not</c> offensive
• uh smells or noise not offensive uh smells or noise not necessarily<01:26:05.840><c> noises</c><01:26

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Bills: SCR12, HB221, HB509, HCR58, HB75, HB1222, SB121, SB312, SB348, SB485, SCR9, SCR58, SB65, SB215, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR54, HCR79, HCR87, HCR94, HCR104, HCR32, HB944, HB17, HB41, HB73, HB223, HB244, HB410, HB750, HB759, HB906, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1215, HB1242, SB208, SB217, SB283, SB387, SB389, SB401, SB408, SB469, HB74, HB119, HB368, HB414, HB552, HB732, HB776, HB848, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1236, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB149, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB382, SB441, SB449, HB134, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB784, HB1117

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received a prayer and pledge, adopted the journal, and heard messages from the House reporting final passage of several Senate bills and concurrence in SCR 86 and 87. The chamber also observed personal privileges honoring the lives of Edith K. Kirkpatrick and Susan Ann Traylor Bidick, with family members present and a moment of silence held for Bidick. The House later refused concurrence on Senate amendments to HB 42 and HB 159. The Senate then took up a series of resolutions, most of which were adopted without objection. These included studies on energy infrastructure and modernization (SR 174, amended to add an alternative energy industry representative and a consumer advocate), breast pump Medicaid reimbursement (SR 175), digital student IDs (SR 176), lethality assessment protocols in domestic violence cases (SR 177), problem gambling prevention (SR 178), community water system grading (SR 179), condolences for Sharon Courtney (SR 180), and expansion of the Louisiana Tumor Registry (SR 181). The chamber also adopted SCR 85 honoring the Sam Houston High School Broncos baseball team after a recorded vote of 36 yeas and 8 nays. On bills returned from the House, HB 1222 on grocery initiative grants failed on final passage by a vote of 18 yeas and 19 nays. SB 312 had House amendments rejected, SB 348 and SB 485 had House amendments concurred in, and SB 121 on congressional redistricting was the subject of extensive debate over racial gerrymandering, district configuration, and expected litigation before the Senate concurred in the House amendments by 28 yeas and 10 nays. The Senate also concurred in several House concurrent resolutions, including studies or reports on flooded corn and migratory waterfowl, deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, support for a Senator Kennedy letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service, boating safety reporting, and subsurface data review. Finally, HB 944 creating a Women’s Health Consortium within the Department of Health was amended to address funding concerns and convert it into a more task-force-like structure, then passed 37-0 with nine coauthors. The Senate then recessed until 1:30 p.m. to continue work, including conference committee reports.

Bills: SCR12, HB221, HB509, HCR58, HB75, HB1222, SB121, SB312, SB348, SB485, SCR9, SCR58, SB65, SB215, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR54, HCR79, HCR87, HCR94, HCR104, HCR32, HB944, HB17, HB41, HB73, HB223, HB244, HB410, HB750, HB759, HB906, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1215, HB1242, SB208, SB217, SB283, SB387, SB389, SB401, SB408, SB469, HB74, HB119, HB368, HB414, HB552, HB732, HB776, HB848, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1236, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB149, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB382, SB441, SB449, HB134, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB784, HB1117

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, so Chair Seeberger, uh Chair Klein, members of the committee, I won't take offense to all the folks
• generators and requires notice to the Commissioner of a civil judgment, disciplinary action, or criminal offense

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• complaint removal and escalating penalties, including disciplinary action and fines up to $1,000 per offense
• So I look up to find the offensive decor.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, while this was particularly morally offensive in so far as not only were the taxpayers being defrauded
• So, while this was particularly morally offensive in so far as not only were the taxpayers being defrauded

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes. Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Zen Satello, who happens to be a fourth-year starter on our offensive line, he started last year.
• Um, Zen Satello, who happens to be a fourth-year starter on our offensive line, he started last year.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: A joint informational briefing of the House and Senate higher education committees focused on how the University of Hawaiʻi athletics department plans to remain competitive in the new NIL era, including the effects of the House v. NCAA settlement, direct institutional payments, and the need to balance competitiveness with the university’s educational mission. Senators and committee members introduced themselves, and the briefing featured remarks from women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman, football coach Timmy Chang, and Athletic Director Matt Elliott. Coach Beeman said NIL has already affected recruiting and retention in women’s basketball, estimating the program has lost six to 10 student-athletes because it lacks the funding to keep comparable talent. She emphasized that the issue is not greed but retention, culture, and keeping student-athletes who value the university and community, while also using NIL as a way to teach financial literacy, privacy, and adult responsibilities. Coach Chang described similar pressures in football, including transfer portal volatility and competing offers from other programs, and gave examples of players whose personal and family circumstances made NIL support important for staying at Hawaiʻi. Athletic Director Elliott said the department’s vision is to create an outstanding student-athlete experience, recruit and retain elite athletes, compete at the top of the Mountain West, and strengthen community ties. He said the department wants to preserve the educational focus while adapting to a system in which student-athletes can share in revenue. Elliott explained that UH is seeking a $5 million annual NIL fund, is fundraising through the community and the “Boost the Bose” account, and is also pursuing individual NIL deals, corporate sponsorship-related deals, and licensing opportunities. In response to Senator Kim’s question, he said NIL compensation can come through two tracks: institutional payments within the department’s discretion and outside deals that must be reviewed for market value under the new reporting system. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I take a little bit of offense when, you know, when we're accused of not valuing or respecting the
• So, I take a little bit of offense when, you know, when we're accused of not valuing or respecting the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all