Transcript Highlights:

• If we're reaching out to our, um, uh, to our, uh, attorney asking about a document, they're not going
• So the attorney could stay in his office and appear on Zoom and all of the board members, don't they
• If the attorney and the consultants all because the consultant's got to drive somewhere, they're either
• It seems like it's only the what are the costs of an attorney having to drive to the district?
• So as a consultant, not, not just attorneys, if you're having a meeting during the day and you're moving

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Chair Kidani, Vice Chair Kim, Senator Kucha, and Huchi from the Department of the Attorney
• 00:07:27.759><c> Department</c><00:07:28.120><c> of</c><00:07:28.240><c> the</c><00:07:28.360><c> Attorney
• </c><00:07:28.759><c> General</c> the Department of the Attorney General the Department of the Attorney
• Uh, so, Ricky, you heard what the Attorney General said.
• :10:27.600><c> the</c> up uh so Ricky um you heard what the up uh so Ricky um you heard what the Attorney

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , public defenders, and regional conflict counsel attorneys.
• Not for state attorneys or public defenders, but yes, for the judges.
• And the Senate also includes, for the state attorneys, an additional $300,000 in trust fund authority
• Not for state attorneys or public defenders, but yes, for the judges.
• And the Senate also includes for the state attorneys an additional 300,000 in trust fund authority to

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they need a power of attorney? >> Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Representative.
• Oftentimes an attorney oftentimes and you 768 have a fiduciary responsibility to enter into contracts
• I think as attorneys we share the responsibility to provide pro bono legal services.
• I think his attorneys we share the 1037 responsibility to provide pro bono legal services.
• You're recognized. >> No, I'm not an attorney, so I do not know that statute.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several insurance and banking bills. HB 1399, relating to property insurance affiliates, would increase Office of Insurance Regulation oversight of transactions between property insurers and affiliates, require fair-and-reasonable documentation, review of dividends and asset pledges, contract termination clauses, affiliate registration, and penalties for violations. Members from both parties generally supported the goal of transparency and accountability, though some raised concerns about costs and whether the bill would actually return money to insureds. The bill was reported favorably. HB 427, on public adjuster contracts, would allow vulnerable adults or their legal representatives to rescind public adjuster contracts without penalty, reflecting the sponsor’s personal concerns about protecting elderly and otherwise vulnerable family members from predatory contracting. Public testimony included support from several industry and elder-law groups, while the public adjuster association warned the bill could unfairly target one profession and urged broader language. Members debated whether the bill should be expanded to cover other solicitations and whether legal representatives should be treated differently, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also approved HB 893, which aligns bank handling of law-firm trust accounts with Florida Supreme Court rules and supports legal aid funding, and HB 767, a transparency bill requiring insurers to provide consumers with plain-language explanations of rate increases and related factors. Members emphasized consumer education and clearer disclosures, and HB 767 passed 2-0. Later, HB 381, the Office of Financial Regulation agency bill, was amended and reported favorably; it updates financial regulation provisions including cybersecurity-related requirements, money services business rules, credit union and financial institution provisions, and fee timing. HB 777, a related public-records bill protecting nonpublic personal information submitted to OFR, was also heard and moved forward without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows the Attorney General to go in and sue the company on behalf of Minnesota because that is who's
• General to sue the companies Attorney General to sue the companies and<00:15:25.440><c> it's</c><00:
• General to go in and sue the Attorney General to go in and sue the company<00:15:40.880><c> on</c><00
• General sues is it going to go Attorney General sues is it going to go to<00:21:49.919><c> victim</c
• Then it will go to Commerce if we decide to do something really specific with the funds the Attorney

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can be attorneys too, so there's nothing wrong with that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• They assure us, and we've talked to even attorneys about producing an ordinance.
• Yes, they indicated that, plus we've talked to an outside attorney. Okay.
• So they're under the impression, and so is their attorney and our attorney, that an ordinance will not
• So they're under the impression, and so is their attorney and our attorney, that an ordinance will not

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have Deputy Attorney General Colin Rubank from the Deputy Attorney General's office with comments
• </c><00:12:54.240><c> General</c> Next we have Deputy Attorney General Next we have Deputy Attorney General
• Charles Jun Min Lee, Deputy Attorney General.
• Charles Jun Min Lee, Deputy Attorney General.
• First to testify on this measure, we have Deputy Attorney General Jun Min Lee from the Attorney General's

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so at this point, I’ll turn it over to the Deputy Attorney General, JT Kim, for a brief statement
• At this point, I’ll turn it over to the Deputy Attorney General, JT Kim, for a brief statement.
• I’m a Deputy Attorney General.
• The Department of the Attorney General is conducting an inquiry into the matter and is working with the
• I'm sorry, not personally—as a deputy attorney general. And it's a large facility.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on construction defects and operational problems at the newly opened Hawaii State Hospital Halola building, a $160 million facility with 144 beds for forensic patients. Department of Health and DAGS officials described ongoing issues identified before and after occupancy in April 2022, including anti-ligature safety defects, roof and building-envelope leaks, drainage problems, plumbing failures, HVAC corrosion and moisture-control issues, mold, and corroding materials. They said the problems have affected patient areas, showers, hallways, the gym, and other parts of the building, creating daily operational and safety challenges for staff and patients. Officials said the state believes the defects are the responsibility of the design-builder, Hensel Phelps, but that they are working with the company and its subcontractors to address the problems while preserving the state’s legal position. The Attorney General’s office said it is conducting an inquiry and asked agencies to limit comments to factual matters. Witnesses explained that some defects appear to be latent and that repairs are being documented through photos, invoices, and testimony. They also said some work is being done by Hensel Phelps and some by other contractors, with efforts to preserve evidence for possible future claims. Committee members questioned how the defects were missed during design-build inspection, whether the state should pursue litigation sooner, and how evidence would be preserved if outside contractors make repairs. Officials said the state has two funding requests pending: about $8 million for emergency repairs and about $28.8 million for longer-term repairs, for a total near $40 million, while noting that additional defects may still be discovered. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was the language that was given to me by the attorney at the time.
• As I mentioned, I don't believe that attorney is at the governor's office any longer, but the problem
• As I as I attorney at the time.
• </c> mentioned, I don't believe that attorney mentioned, I don't believe that attorney is<00:16:31.279
• This is a bill relative to looking at our education laws and recodifying them and having an attorney

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met to consider eight bills, beginning with HB 443 on the terms of appointment for members of the Higher Education Commission. Department of Education Director Steve Applebee explained that the commission supported a language change to address a holdover issue, but members raised concerns that the bill did not solve the problem of inactive members and might not address the broader question of whether the commission should continue to exist. The committee agreed to retain HB 443 for further work and voted 18-0 to do so. The committee then voted on HB 137, which would allocate excess statewide education property tax funds for local school and municipal purposes. Supporters of ITL argued that using the statewide property tax to reduce the state’s school funding obligation could create a slippery slope and shift more burden to property taxpayers. The committee voted 15-3 to ITL the bill, with a minority report to be written. HB 237, which would prohibit the use of special education and differentiated aid funds on students not receiving special education services, was also ITL’d after members said federal law already governs how IDEA-related funds may be used and that the bill was unnecessary. That motion passed 16-0, with some members not voting because they were out for medical reasons. The committee next advanced HB 354, creating alternative certification pathways for career and technical education instructors. Members said the bill could help recruit qualified tradespeople and retirees to teach in CTE programs, and it was approved 18-0 and placed on the consent calendar. HB 491, establishing a committee to study alternative public education funding methods and reduce reliance on local property taxes, was retained for further study after members said the committee or a subcommittee could continue the work over the year; it passed 18-0. HB 656, concerning local school districts’ authority to accept federal grants, was also retained after discussion focused on transparency, grant conditions, and the need to avoid delays in services; it passed 18-0. The committee then moved on to HB 729, an appropriation for an attorney to recodify education laws, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> level to try to work with the attorneys level to try to work with the attorneys in<00:30:15.440>
• However, I would be happy the attorneys.
• How long has Attorney Horn been providing these type services? We've got 350 an hour.
• We did have three attorneys who were doing the service. One has stepped away.
• So, we are shifting some of those towards this attorney, Jackie Horn. >> I got you.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item. For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing. The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney General again?
• </c> And both the Office of the Attorney And both the Office of the Attorney General<03:41:05.200><c>
• Section 12 is of the Attorney General.
• </c> the Attorney General chapter. the Attorney General chapter.
• I now yield to Attorney General chapter.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Michelle Nikata, Deputy Attorney General.
• I am the deputy attorney Okamoto.
• Thank you. attorney general's support behind HP attorney general's support behind HP 1573.<02:00:04.400
• </c><02:03:45.280><c> General</c> So, the Department of Attorney General So, the Department of Attorney
• First up, the Office of the Attorney General.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1969, which would provide state funding for colorectal cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured residents. The Department of Human Services said it supports the goal of early screening but would need new administrative capacity, including a program manager and claim pre-screening, to run the program. The Department of Health supported the measure and cited low screening rates in Hawaii, noting an educational campaign to encourage screening. The Insurance Division raised concerns about reliance on federal FAQs, warning that guidance can change and may create state cost exposure. Supporters including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the Hawaii Medical Association argued the bill would close a preventive-care gap, reduce late-stage diagnoses, and save long-term costs; the committee also discussed implementation costs, estimated by DHS at roughly $1.4 million to $2 million annually plus administrative expenses, and a 6-month to 1-year timeline to establish the program. The committee then took up House Bill 1965, which would require health carriers to spend at least 6% of total medical expenditures on primary care providers. The Insurance Division said several provisions raise technical and legal concerns, including the premium freeze, the medical loss ratio language, the lack of an existing external review process for downcoding claims, and a new mandate for medically necessary inter-island transportation that could trigger an ACA defrayal. The Department of Human Services supported the intent but suggested broader language to include primary care supports and services, and noted that QUEST integration plans already invested at least 9% of total medical expenditures in primary care in 2024, with additional spending on supports and low-value care reductions. State health planning officials strongly supported the bill as an investment in primary care, saying it could improve outcomes and lower long-term costs, though they acknowledged a possible temporary premium increase during the transition. Testimony in support emphasized Hawaii’s physician shortage, especially on Maui, the Big Island, and other neighbor islands, and warned that clinics are under financial strain and may close without higher primary care reimbursement. The Hawaii Healthcare Task Force, AARP Hawaii, and other supporters said the bill would help retain providers, improve access for Medicare and Medicaid patients, and prevent downstream costs from emergency room use and avoidable hospitalizations. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that attorneys in this body, especially those applying to be the highest attorney in the state
• I hope any other attorney in this body would vote no as well. Thank you. I vote no.
• I hope any other attorney in this body would vote no as well. Thank you. Senator Finchem votes no.
• The U.S. tried to force attorneys into enforcing federal law.
• Not an attorney, not the county attorney, not a municipal police chief. The sheriff.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• delinquent taxes must include the option for the county attorney to use this consolidated procedure.
• delinquent taxes must include the option for the county attorney to use this consolidated procedure.
• </c><00:24:49.360><c> for</c><00:24:49.600><c> collecting</c> county attorney for collecting county attorney
• </c><00:24:53.039><c> to</c><00:24:53.279><c> use</c><00:24:53.440><c> this</c> for the county attorney
• to use this for the county attorney to use this consolidated<00:24:54.480><c> procedure.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:05 Attendance Roll Call: 00:09 HB 456 Discussion: 02:05 HB 456 Vote: 07:00 HB 136 Discussion: 07:54 HB 136 Vote: 09:36 HB 448 Discussion: 10:28 HB 448 Vote: 13:26 HB 220 Discussion: 14:12 HB 220 Vote: 17:14 HB 213 Discussion: 18:17 HB 213 Vote: 19:19 HB 518 Discussion: 20:23 HB 518 Vote: 23:03 HB 600 Discussion: 24:05 HB 600 Vote: 25:17 Adjournment: 26:32, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and so we worked with multiple legislative council attorneys to really define what we meant by educational
• </c> multiple legislative council attorneys multiple legislative council attorneys to<00:10:25.279><c
• In committee, we heard from multiple Legislative Council attorneys because of the different aspects of
• c> not</c><00:17:47.039><c> come</c><00:17:47.280><c> testify</c><00:17:47.840><c> in</c> the US attorney
• will not come testify in the US attorney will not come testify in on<00:17:49.520><c> state</c><00:17

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is an attorney position. So our vacancy is currently are down to about 2% of our RF to you.
• that position for the last senior attorney. last senior attorney.
• So that's the story we try to tell. >> Those attorneys and its follow-up. Thank you, Mr.
• Chair. >> So that may answer must month final question for home, the attorneys.
• >> One of the senior attorney positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill clarifies specifically the intent expressed by the Legislature in 2017 that the Florida Attorney
• only public official with standing to assert the rights of a qualified beneficiary of The Florida Attorney
• But why are we trying to limit the capability of an out-of-state attorney general to represent the best
• bringing a suit if they would like to, but it just gives the exclusive authority to the Florida Attorney
• Yeah, I mean, I'm assuming that an attorney could certainly file a lawsuit against local government.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and gallery recognitions, including students, university basketball coaches, and other visitors. The chamber then moved through a long special order calendar of bills, with most measures explained by sponsors, often substituted with identical House companions, and many passing on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, utility services, higher education, pre-arranged transportation services, the Uniform Commercial Code, altered sexual depictions, firearms during emergencies, brownfields, false reporting, health care billing and collection, and motor vehicles. Among the bills passed were measures on the Florida Trust Code, school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct, debt collection email communications, service of process, public lodging and food service establishments, lien waivers and releases, public records protections for Crime Stoppers personnel, foreign ties affecting health care licensure, diabetes management in schools, platting procedures, fentanyl testing in hospitals and emergency departments, third-party reservation platforms, electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices, restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, background screening of athletic coaches, and surrendered infants. Debate was especially notable on the surrendered infants bill, where some senators raised concerns about safety, anonymity, and liability, while supporters argued the devices could save lives. The affordable housing/Live Local bill also drew extensive discussion and a late-filed amendment, with the sponsor describing major land-use and permitting changes and the chamber adopting the amendment before final passage. The most contentious floor debate came on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, where senators argued over its fluoride-related provisions and broader policy package. Opponents criticized the bill as an overbroad preemption and raised public health concerns, while the sponsor defended it as a farm-and-consumer package with multiple unrelated provisions. That bill ultimately passed 27-9. At the end of the session, the Senate agreed to certify all bills passed that day to the House, recognized a resolution honoring Florida’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, made additional announcements, and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a comment as, well, basically the only attorney for the self-help program.
• It's not a set number, but we hear that all the time as family law attorneys.
• alternative is I'm going to give up my kids... ...your attorney.
• It's not a choice that we pay this attorney. It's not a choice that we're going through this.
• There are a number of people who can't afford attorneys or can't afford the continual use of attorneys

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here as both a patient and as an attorney, and as a patient, I survived medical negligence.
• You know, I'm not an attorney, but I've played in business a little bit.
• Chair, Representative, do plaintiffs' attorneys get paid on those lump sums?
• Representative, do plaintiffs' attorneys get paid on those lump sums? Mr.
• It would have an impact on how plaintiffs' attorneys are paid. Mr. Chair, Senator, no.

Bills: SB38, SB17, SB41, SB264

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 99, a proposed reform of the Medical Malpractice Act. Representative Chandler said the bill is intended to address physician shortages, rising malpractice premiums, and litigation pressures by changing punitive damages rules, including a higher standard of proof, a requirement that punitive damages not be pleaded in the initial complaint, and limits tied to the type of provider. Supporters, including physicians, business leaders, and some patients, said the bill would help retain doctors, improve access to care, and create more predictable liability exposure. Several supporters also said current malpractice conditions are driving doctors out of the state and harming rural access to services. Opponents argued the bill would reduce patient recovery, create unequal treatment based on insurance status through the bill-versus-paid provision, and raise constitutional concerns involving equal protection, collateral source rules, and separation of powers. They also criticized the bill for not addressing other drivers of malpractice, such as hospital practices, prior authorization, staffing, and background checks for out-of-state doctors. Some witnesses urged amendments to protect the Patient Compensation Fund, ensure future medical expenses are covered, require minimum surcharge settings, and improve oversight of providers entering the state. Committee members questioned the sponsor and witnesses about whether the bill would actually lower premiums, whether it would improve access to care, and how it would affect hospitals, independent providers, and the Patient Compensation Fund. The sponsor said the bill was based on negotiations and comparisons with other states, and that it should help premiums over time. Members raised concerns about the fund’s solvency, the role of hospitals in the fund, and whether some provisions would survive legal challenge. No final vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated amendments would be discussed later and the committee would continue the hearing the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in their structures where ownership might not be fully attorneys.
• shall not share fees with non-attorneys.
• So you can share with other attorneys.
• </c><01:34:53.600><c> or</c><01:34:54.000><c> other</c> from other attorneys or other from other attorneys
• The attorneys are in controversy over this. We talked about the staff.

Keywords: 981, all