Transcript Highlights:

• This reform Us in the right direction in many ways.
• in my career and many peers in the community.
• in SB 89.
• Work that is happening in Hayward, in San Francisco, in Oakland, in North County, in Yuba County, and
• I started school here in '52 in California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General Walter Ross, see here, in support, Gary Kapa in support, Mayor Bisson in support, Prosecuting
• Gary Kapa in support, Mayor Bisson in support, Prosecuting Attorney Al in support, Chief Arthur Logan
• 00:45:07.040><c> personal</c><00:45:07.480><c> capacity</c><00:45:08.079><c> as</c> know in my in in
• my personal capacity as know in my in in my personal capacity as a<00:45:08.359><c> private</c><00:45
• In support, thank you. Corey? In support, okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard advice-and-consent testimony on several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 644 for Steven Logan to serve as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense through December 7, 2026. Testimony from multiple state officials and others was strongly supportive, citing Logan’s military leadership, service during the COVID-19 period, and coordination during the fireworks-related patient transfer. Logan described his 44 years of military service, 22 years with the Honolulu Police Department, and his approach of “unity of effort,” including how he would help operationalize the Office of the State Fire Marshal by coordinating with county fire chiefs, the State Fire Council, and emergency management to pursue funding and implement recommendations. The committee then took up GM 621 and GM 623 for the Correctional Industries Advisory Committee. Shante Asuda of Hawaii Correctional Industries supported both nominees and said the board is important for evaluating private-sector joint ventures that can provide work skills for incarcerated people. Carla Kashiwa said she wanted to help improve outcomes through public-private partnerships and vocational rehabilitation opportunities for people reentering society. Lee Shinato, however, gave a less prepared presentation, offering broad ideas such as crafts, lunch wagons, and ukulele-making, and acknowledged he was not fully clear on the board’s scope or goals. Committee members expressed concern about the lack of preparation and clarity around the board’s mission, and the administrator later explained that the board’s role is to review business plans for viability, return on investment, sustainability, and whether they provide marketable skills for inmates. The final item discussed was GM 568 for Aris Banag to serve on the Advisory Board of Veteran Services. Supporters described him as community-minded and deeply committed to veterans. Banag said he has over 30 years of service, has worked as a mental health therapist and veterans resource coordinator at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, and helped create the first veteran service center there. In response to questions about federal VA cutbacks and veterans nearing retirement, he said the board must be a strong independent voice for veterans, advocate against reductions in benefits, and help service members plan for post-military life, including disability benefits, retirement, and financial planning. No votes or final committee actions were stated in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> 24,500 people in in uh the seven 24,500 people in in uh the seven counties<00:09:28.800><c> region
• </c><00:10:19.519><c> a</c> who are in crisis or or who are in a who are in crisis or or who are in a
• I think in in provide in other regions.
• </c> be coming in front of the committee in be coming in front of the committee in the<00:30:52.559><
• </c> in Ohio than we do in Kentucky. in Ohio than we do in Kentucky. um<00:42:32.480><c> you</c><00:42

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee first approved the minutes from its July 8 meeting and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and deferred items. The committee deferred a Kentucky Education Television contract because the vendor was still not registered with the Secretary of State, and also deferred a University of Louisville contract to the September meeting at the university’s request. Both motions passed by roll call. The committee then took up a contract with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities for Seven Counties Services. Committee members questioned why the state continues funding the provider despite its ongoing bankruptcy tied to unpaid retirement contributions, how the funding split is determined, whether the state had explored other providers or direct state delivery, and whether all services in the contract are truly required by statute. Agency officials said Seven Counties is the statutorily designated community mental health center for the region, serves about 24,500 people, and provides core safety-net services that would be difficult to replace; they also said the bankruptcy dispute is still ongoing and the contested amount is about $20 million. The committee ultimately deferred the contract to the next meeting and requested additional information on the scope of services and potential offsets or recovery of unfunded liabilities. The final deferred item was a Department for Community Based Services contract with Youth Villages for the Intercept program. DCBS explained that the program is used because it is an approved evidence-based service under the Family First Prevention Services Act, that Youth Villages has Kentucky staff and offices even though it is headquartered in Tennessee, and that the contract is intended to support intensive in-home services, foster care stabilization, and family reunification. Members asked why the services could not be provided in-house, whether Medicaid should cover more of the cost, and whether the state requires the provider to bill Medicaid as a payer of last resort. DCBS said it would verify billing and funding details and provide them back to the committee. The committee then voted to defer the contract to the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> legislation</c> roles in in developing this legislation roles in in developing this legislation and
• </c><00:18:52.640><c> in</c> would add um about this fund um in in would add um about this fund um in
• uh</c><00:26:53.120><c> these</c> implicated in in moving these uh these implicated in in moving these
• </c> in jobs. in jobs.
• </c> mitigates it some so to not put them in mitigates it some so to not put them in an<00:46:10.880>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 03:09 SB 57 Discussion 04:03 SB 57 Roll Call Vote 38:37 SB 172 Discussion 41:27 SB 172 Roll Call Vote 50:23, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in early 2026.
• ><c> in</c><00:03:01.040><c> early</c> range studies in early range studies in early 2026.<00:03:03.519
• /c><00:05:07.280><c> the</c> sits blank in the bill but in the sits blank in the bill but in the committee
• In order to rear that virus in a die.
• We heard these concerns out in Waiʻanae in January.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 643, House Draft 2, which would create short-term management initiatives and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Committee discussion focused on biocontrol efforts, including fungus and virus-based treatments, the need for a biosecure facility, and the timeline for testing and range studies. Department of Agriculture officials said initial testing is underway at the University of Hawaii, but full testing requires a higher-biosafety facility that is not yet available on island. Members also discussed funding levels, the possibility of a mobile facility, and whether the work could be accelerated. The committees later voted to pass HB 643 unamended. The committees also heard House Bill 736, House Draft 1, which would establish a three-year wastewater system and individual wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center. Supporters said the bill could help certify new, lower-cost decentralized wastewater technologies and reduce the cost of cesspool upgrades while improving water quality. University of Hawaii witnesses explained that the center would test technologies, collect samples, analyze results, and provide reports to the Department of Health for certification. Members raised concerns about whether the program would help communities facing immediate wastewater issues, the length of the testing timeline, and whether technologies like the Genki ball could be included. The committee was told the pilot would likely test one technology at a time over about nine months each, though multiple tests could run in parallel later. The committees voted to pass HB 736 unamended. After those measures, the joint committee moved to an AEN-only agenda and began hearing STR 111 / SR 92, which declares a public health emergency relating to climate change and calls for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Testimony in support came from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others. Supporters said climate change affects public health through heat, wildfire risk, invasive mosquitoes, and other impacts, and argued that the response should involve agriculture, planning, transportation, and emergency management, not just the Department of Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:03.519><c> so</c> uh in out years in a in about 10 or so uh in out years in a in about 10 or so
• </c> video in front of that bridge? video in front of that bridge?
• statute in perpetuity.
• Um, they were enacted and they... year um to do and it's in statute in year um to do and it's in statute
• He's a truck driver, so he lives ...in White Bear Lake, and I live in St.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a quorum in voting sheets. Some members are stuck in transit.
• All in favor? Aye. Any without rec? Any nays? Thank you. All in favor? Aye. Any without rec?
• And I wore my Adirondacks part in your honor today. I'm glad that you're dug out in your hair.
• All in favor? Aye. Any without rec? Any nays? All in favor? Aye. Any without rec? Any needs?
• All in favor? Aye. Any without rec? No. Two without rec. Thank you. We have a second. All in favor?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation met with a quorum via voting sheets and considered a 12-bill agenda focused on water quality, stormwater reporting, algal bloom prevention, safe drinking water infrastructure, coastal and marine protection, housing and land-use, animal welfare, and solar access. Chair Pete Harckham noted several members were delayed by weather and other committee meetings, and welcomed participating senators and staff. Most bills were described as measures the committee had seen before, with little debate beyond motions and seconds. Bills approved included Harckham’s stormwater expenditure report bill (S.1609), a municipal water-quality assistance bill for lake associations (S.1733), the harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention act (S.1833A), the safe water and infrastructure action program (S.1850A), the Whale Awareness Act (S.2292B), inland waterways additions for waterfront revitalization (S.2646), the Sustainable Affordable Housing and Sprawl Prevention Act (S.3492A), a bill on traveling animal acts (S.3629A), the Big Five African Trophies Act (S.5014), marine and coastal debris prevention (S.6307), and whale strike protection policies for large vessels (S.7718A). The solar bill (S.6570A), the Solar for Affordable Power Act, was also approved by the committee but was referred to the Energy Committee rather than advanced on the environmental conservation calendar. Several measures were referred to the Finance Committee, including the stormwater report bill, the lake association water-quality bill, the harmful algal bloom bill, and the safe water and infrastructure bill. Other bills were advanced to the calendar, and the meeting concluded without recorded opposition on most items, aside from a few members voting without recommendation on some bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• All in favor? Aye. Any nays, any AWRs? Is it for Senator White? All in favor.
• All in favor? Aye. Aye. Thank you. Senator White, Senator Rawlinson, all in favor.
• All in favor? Aye. Any nays? One nay. AWR.
• All in favor? Aye. Any opposition? AWR. AWR. This bill is reported.
• All in favor. All in the opposition. This bill is reported.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Local Government committee met on March 10 and considered 13 bills, mostly on municipal finance, property tax exemptions, local planning, and public safety. Measures included Next Generation 911 system updates, good-faith deposit procedures for bond sales, sheriff and undersheriff training requirements, comprehensive planning for housing needs, increased volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker benefits, industrial development agency incentives for pollution mitigation projects, and several local real property tax exemption or conveyance bills. The committee also took up bills on water quality improvement funding for the Town of Warwick, special equalization rates for certain school districts, and eye and tissue donation procedures. Testimony and discussion were limited on most bills, with members generally moving them without comment. There was some discussion on the Nassau County assessor exemption bill, where a member noted a separate bill addressing a recurring property-closing issue. The comprehensive planning bill drew the most recorded opposition, with one senator voting nay and another recorded as AWR. Several other bills also had AWRs or nays noted, but no extended debate was captured. All 13 bills were voted out of committee, with most reported to Finance or other committees as noted. The committee adjourned after the final bill, and the clerk was acknowledged for his first meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of people come in in tears. Absolutely in tears.
• </c> come in in tears. come in in tears. Absolutely<04:39:06.639><c> in</c><04:39:06.879><c> tears.
• They'd be standing in front of private homes across the street. Is that fair for them? No.
• </c><04:49:50.480><c> in</c> inconvenienced by buffer zones in in inconvenienced by buffer zones in in
• </c> not give everybody in this a fair shake not give everybody in this a fair shake for<06:04:36.400

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was in those debates.
• every county, in some cases you are able to get the complaints, and in certain cases... ...in some cases
• Huntington but the perpetrator lives in Morgantown and is a you know scoutmaster in Morgantown on. in
• There is no question in my mind and in the mind of our colleagues.”
• And I don't think that was served in either case in this situation.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, IDEBSKA began in earnest working in the area specific of wildfire response back in 2017.
• You know, Idebska began in earnest working in the area specific of wildfire response back in 2017.
• homes in...
• And in this instance, even, you know, who's in Altadena and who's in the Palisades, right?
• And so in our case, in this region, we have ECC headquartered in Burlingame.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly labor committees held a hearing on the Los Angeles wildfires and their impact on workers, employers, and recovery efforts. Chairs and members emphasized that rebuilding should prioritize worker safety, equity, local hiring, and strong labor standards rather than simply moving quickly or relying on the lowest bidder. They also stressed the need to learn from past disasters and to create a more coordinated state response for future emergencies. Worker advocates described how domestic workers, day laborers, firefighters, and other frontline workers were affected by the fires. Testimony focused on workers being trapped in evacuation zones, lacking timely information in Spanish, losing jobs and income, and facing exposure to toxic debris without adequate PPE. Speakers called for expanded outreach and education, stronger Cal/OSHA enforcement, broader occupational safety coverage for domestic workers and day laborers, recall and transfer rights, childcare and transportation support, and a centralized disaster relief system that can quickly deliver cash aid and equipment regardless of immigration status. Firefighter Derek Irwin said California firefighters face serious carcinogenic exposure and urged continued funding for the firefighter cancer prevention and research program, along with a long-term state health monitoring and research effort similar to the World Trade Center Health Program. Building trades and labor representatives argued that cleanup and rebuilding should be done through community workforce agreements, prevailing wage, apprenticeship requirements, and local hire provisions, and said the state already has trained workers available. They also said federal debris-removal work through the Army Corps has limited the state’s ability to impose some standards, but that state and local funding or subsidies should trigger labor requirements. Employer and business representatives described major losses to property, inventory, revenue, and jobs, especially in Altadena and nearby areas. The Altadena Chamber said it is coordinating recovery resources, while a construction business owner said small local firms are being shut out of disaster contracts and proposed a more accessible procurement process for local and minority businesses. LAEDC presented preliminary estimates of billions in property damage and business disruption, tens of thousands of potential job losses, and a recovery timeline of five to ten years, warning that low-income communities will be disproportionately affected and that workforce retraining and upskilling will be needed alongside the broader economic recovery.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's in order to mitigate the impacts of, like, new enrollment for the ELRP program.
• in here.
• in here.
• I'm interested in something in between these two approaches. a fair amount of sense to me.
• In particular, in areas like SDG&E, Edison, and PG&E.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and remain in constant coordination with refiners, resulted in stable prices in 2024 and 2025.
• Well, in our hearing, in our first hearing, we sort of had a love fest with the CEC in terms of their
• in here.
• I'm interested in something in between these two approaches. a fair amount of sense to me.
• In particular, in areas like SDG&E, Edison, and PG&E.

Summary: The committee first heard Issue 1 on trailer bill language to redirect funding for emergency demand-response programs. The Department of Finance proposed using about $26.9 million in General Fund originally set aside for the Distributed Energy Backup Assets program to bolster the Demand-Side Grid Support Program for summer 2026, and using about $70 million in CalCHAP interest to support ratepayer-funded demand response in summers 2027 and 2028. The CEC and CPUC said they are working on a transition from DSGS to ELRP or a successor program, while the LAO noted the General Fund money would otherwise revert to savings. Members pressed the administration on whether demand response remains important, whether DSGS has been successful, and whether the state should keep funding it through the CEC rather than shifting to a ratepayer-funded CPUC program. The CEC and CPUC said the programs are not directly comparable, emphasized different cost structures and enrollment metrics, and said a CPUC rulemaking is underway with a proposed decision expected in Q3 2026. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up Issue 2, a budget proposal tied to SB 254 and the new transmission accelerator. GoBiz and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank described a five-year, roughly $26 million request to staff and administer the accelerator and manage Proposition 4 and AB 1207 funds for transmission financing. Members asked about state liability, ownership of financed lines, FERC revenue requirements, and whether the program would help underserved regions and offshore wind development. Staff explained that the accelerator would only consider projects already identified through CAISO’s competitive transmission planning process, and that state financing would be a small portion of large projects intended to lower overall costs to ratepayers. The LAO said it had no specific concerns but urged the Legislature to ensure the final language matches its intent. The committee also heard Issue 3 on petroleum market oversight. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested additional positions and funding to implement ABX2-1 and continue work on supply stabilization, refinery monitoring, and transportation fuels analysis. Members questioned why the work was funded through the Energy Resources Programs Account, whether existing staff from the paused price-gouging work could be reassigned, and whether the program had produced evidence of price gouging or improved supply conditions. CEC and Finance said the new positions are needed because the workload has expanded, while some existing staff remain on related analysis and reporting duties. The discussion ended without a vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• on in our country.
• They're all real in the domains that they're in.
• but in the meantime, making sure that they have a basic level of wage support in the state in order to
• We're 49th out of 50th in terms of ownership in this country.
• I am an employee in a hotel in Santa Monica, California.

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and operated briefly as a subcommittee while the chair outlined public comment procedures and the consent calendar. The first major item was AB 1751, a townhome/homeownership measure by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and Wicks. The author accepted amendments to strike the bill’s wage provision and to limit unit size and project size, but declined other proposed amendments on downzoning, demolition protections, and site restrictions. Supporters, including the New California Coalition and California Conference of Carpenters, argued the bill would expand attainable homeownership and create more townhome sites; opponents and “opposed unless amended” witnesses raised concerns about renter protections, demolition/displacement, density impacts, and local control. Several labor groups and local government representatives were neutral or supportive of the amended bill, while the committee members discussed the tension between housing production and worker protections. The committee ultimately passed AB 1751 as amended to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote, with the bill held on call for absent members. The committee then heard AB 750, which expands HCD’s Portfolio Reinvestment Program to more at-risk affordable housing developments needing rehabilitation. The author and supporters from the California Housing Consortium and California Housing Partnership said the bill would help preserve deed-restricted housing facing expiring affordability restrictions and disrepair, especially when paired with anticipated bond funding. Members asked about the program’s prior funding and how it works to keep units affordable through rehabilitation rather than state takeover; the author emphasized the goal was preservation of existing affordable housing stock. AB 750 passed to the Senate Appropriations Committee on a roll call vote and was held on call for absent senators. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Next, the committee heard AB 306, which would create a more workable statewide appeals and code-interpretation process at the California Building Standards Commission for local building code decisions. The author and supporters from AIA California and the Housing Action Coalition said the bill would reduce inconsistent interpretations across 540 jurisdictions, improve transparency, and support housing innovation while preserving local authority over local matters. Members discussed how the bill would interact with local amendments and alternative methods and means, and the committee moved the bill to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote. AB 2612, directing HCD and the Building Standards Commission to develop standards for plug-in photovoltaic systems in new construction, also advanced to Appropriations after supportive testimony and brief questions about safety standards and stakeholder consultation. AB 1070, which orders a study on allowing 3- to 10-unit missing-middle housing under the Residential Code and requires a one-time report on code-related cost pressures, passed to Appropriations after building officials removed opposition. Later, AB 2181, a narrow bill concerning hotel and motel valuation and density bonus potential, passed to Local Government after testimony from Unite Here and others about protecting hospitality jobs and preventing speculative appraisals. Finally, AB 1237, clarifying safety rules for private in-unit pools in hotels and condominiums, passed to Health after the author described added safety measures such as pool covers, alarms, emergency devices, certified operators, and AEDs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anywhere in line, anywhere in the room, anywhere in there, because you can be electioneering if you're
• in the room.
• two large elections in a row, and you can't recover your equipment and get it back in the field in time
• . ...in a row, and you can't recover your equipment and get it back in the field in time.
• , or twice in their lifetime in any election in any state?

Bills: HB1968, HB2279, HB2739, HB2803, HB3909, HB3918, HB4253, HB4475, HB5115, HB5430

Keywords: election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code

Summary: The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent. The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending. Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> them just in in Tilton. them just in in Tilton.
• the brand, increase trust in the machines, and do everything we can to mitigate scam risks for customers
• the brand, increase trust in the machines, and do everything we can to mitigate scam risks for customers
• the brand, increase trust in the machines, and do everything we can to mitigate scam risks for customers
• </c><01:06:27.200><c> they've</c> um in in uh in their state that they've um in in uh in their state

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Anyone in the back? Anyone in the back?
• in the in the in Largest power company in the in the in the<01:54:54.920><c> largest</c><01:54:55.520
• No, in in in the requirement though.
• c> we even get our regs in in order or is we even get our regs in in order or is that<02:11:12.600><c
• </c> to end up in the situations we're in to end up in the situations we're in now?"

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:58.200><c> to</c> inclusion in the in the amendment to inclusion in the in the amendment to
• </c> in Minnesota and specifically in in Minnesota and specifically in Monticello<00:53:59.120><c> pose
• </c> in secrecy. in secrecy.
• </c> in effect in this situation? in effect in this situation?
• </c><01:20:52.160><c> in</c> So, I just wanted to to say in in So, I just wanted to to say in in conclusion

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> regardless of who's in the in the White regardless of who's in the in the White House,<00:18:40.799
• </c> in order to meet our job duties in in order to meet our job duties in providing<00:45:06.560><c>
• </c> in support. in support.
• So, in in one year and T visas 5,000.
• </c> here in Hawaii or no? here in Hawaii or no?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1768, which would prohibit state and county law enforcement agencies and officials from entering into federal immigration-enforcement agreements under 8 U.S.C. 1357(g) and from assisting in certain immigration enforcement actions except in limited circumstances. The Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi all testified in strong support, arguing the bill would protect due process, reduce fear in immigrant communities, preserve trust in local police, and keep local resources focused on public safety. Testifiers said cooperation with immigration enforcement can chill court attendance, crime reporting, and cooperation with police, and they emphasized that the bill would not stop federal enforcement or affect other deputization agreements for environmental or other criminal matters. Committee members asked whether any 287(g) agreements currently exist in Hawaiʻi; testifiers said they were unaware of any and believed the bill would maintain the status quo. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 1548, which would reduce the maximum sentence for misdemeanors from one year to 364 days and allow people previously sentenced to one year to seek sentence modification. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, and the William S. Richardson School of Law immigration clinic all supported the measure, saying the one-day change could prevent severe immigration consequences such as detention, removal, and bars to relief that can be triggered by a sentence of 365 days or more. Testifiers stressed that the bill would not change criminal liability or public safety, but would align Hawaiʻi law with similar reforms adopted in other states. Members questioned whether the change would affect citizens or create an automatic immigration process; witnesses responded that the issue is the federal immigration consequence tied to the maximum sentence, not actual time served, and that citizens would not face that consequence. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HB 1548, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Father, we are so blessed to be with people that care in our great state and in our great nation.
• I am grateful for everyone that came in.
• We're trying to do everything we can to find ways to help mitigate this from happening in the future.
• To the over 400 homes in the area that need help, there were over 400 structures destroyed just in Burnet
• Members, guests in the gallery, please rise and join us in observing a moment of silence.

Keywords: 997, house, all