Transcript Highlights:

• had Senate Bill 2862. had Senate Bill 2862.
• second bill. second bill.
• bill to my co-chair. bill to my co-chair.
• The original bill 661 was a good bill.
• , the bill, the bill, >> right?

Bills: SB2094

Keywords: toxic chemicals, environmental action levels, public notice, environmental safety, pollution control, Hawaii State Constitution, public participation, government transparency, environmental health, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2094, which would require state agencies monitoring environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels and limit changes to those levels without meeting procedural requirements. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments, including inserting estimated costs for a secure portal website and webinars into the committee report and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among those voting, with excused members noted. The committee then considered several other measures and adopted recommendations to pass them with amendments, generally adding technical and clarifying changes and setting a defective date of 2525. SB 2862 was amended to broaden the preamble, make additional appointees confirmable, clarify reporting requirements for gubernatorial appointees, and was held for further discussion. SB 2781 on lei production created a working group to review existing studies and conduct a statewide study of Hawaii’s floriculture industry. SB 3015 adopted California’s definition of PII, applied it to government agencies and political subdivisions, created a private cause of action, and required a compliance report. SB 3230 removed a categorical prohibition on certain third-party project management procurements while preserving state oversight responsibility, in line with procurement office requests. The joint GVO Health and Human Services agenda then focused on two related bills requiring universal changing accommodations in public restrooms. SB 2932 would apply to new state building construction beginning July 1, 2026, and testimony from disability advocates, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others supported the measure while asking for language clarifying that the requirement applies only where technically feasible and, in some cases, only to state-managed buildings. SB 2268 was described as broader, extending beyond government buildings into the private sector and including a private right of action; witnesses supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, especially for smaller businesses, and requested the same technically infeasible language and other clarifications. Both bills were advanced with amendments, and the committee noted adoption of the recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is being drafted now and will be introduced this session.
• This bill is being drafted now and will be introduced this session.
• This bill is being drafted now and will be introduced this session.
• this bill is is currently being drafted this bill is is currently being drafted now<00:18:31.919
• The bill is currently being drafted, and so there are a lot of bills in the Revisor's Office.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll have a bill draft on that.
• <02:29:47.439> draft whatever that thing is, bill draft whatever that thing is, bill draft
• <02:37:50.319> Uh Motion passes for a bill draft. Uh Motion passes for a bill draft.
• c><02:41:02.960> single<02:41:03.359> day bill draft for our last single day bill draft
• <03:17:01.120> It's<03:17:01.359> just a bill draft. It's just a bill draft.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dueling drafts. >> Okay. Dueling drafts. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
• <00:07:53.840> Could speak to the other draft. Whoops. Could speak to the other draft.
• On House Bill 609.
• bill or is it just the 50? bill or is it just the 50?
• >> even the House bill. >> even the House bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The continued conference on House Bill 609 focused on reconciling House and Senate drafts dealing with firearms and other personal defense tools, local government preemption, and agency rulemaking. Representative Leyon walked through amendment 21107H, explaining that it narrows undefined terms, clarifies that the General Court has supremacy over local regulation, allows damages actions for violations of preemption law, and adds language limiting agency rules unless specifically authorized by statute. She also described a three-year sunset and a delayed effective date for new rules so existing rules could continue temporarily while the legislature considers any needed statutory carveouts. Members then debated the practical effect of the language, especially whether it would bar agencies from adopting internal employment rules or instead require those rules to come through JCAR and be tied to express statutory authority. Several examples were discussed, including state plow drivers, corrections employees, and other workers who may need to carry personal defense tools in the field. The committee also discussed a provision making a plaintiff a prevailing party if a municipality changes a challenged policy after suit is filed, and a clause stating that good faith or advice of counsel is not a defense, though it may be considered in mitigation. The discussion narrowed to the difference between the House approach, which some members read as an absolute prohibition on agency rules in these areas, and the Senate approach, which some members said would allow rules only when an agency can point to express enabling authority and JCAR can review them. Members agreed that the goal was to prevent agencies from adopting rules that conflict with the statute while still allowing legitimate safety-related regulations where the legislature has authorized them. The conference took a recess and later resumed with the chair stating the parties had reached an agreement in principle based on the latest Senate language, and Representative Leyon was asked to continue reviewing the draft line by line for remaining concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• And all these pages of course have the draft watermark on here.
• <00:04:04.959> of comment, we'll move into the um draft of comment, we'll move into the um
• draft of the<00:04:05.360> actual<00:04:05.760> statewide<00:04:06.239> capital
• <00:04:11.920> watermark<00:04:12.480> on of course have the draft watermark on of
• Well, Kentucky and the General Assembly has just chosen to use the budget bill to do that.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:01 Approval of Minutes 00:01:40 2026-2032 Statewide Capital Improvements Plan 00:02:15, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of the prior meeting minutes. The board then reviewed the 2026–2032 statewide capital improvement plan, including project recommendations across maintenance, renovation, IT, and new construction categories. Staff explained that 15 projects were selected in each category and described how the board’s tiebreaker process was used to finalize the recommendations. Members asked about the asset preservation pool, specifically whether institutions receive a blanket appropriation or must identify projects. Staff explained that the Council on Postsecondary Education serves as the gatekeeper after appropriation, reviewing institution-submitted uses to ensure they meet criteria for maintaining and improving existing facilities rather than new construction. Staff also outlined revisions to the draft plan, including updated summary data, revised wording for clarity, an updated maintenance pool policy recommendation based on Pew research, and a change to cross-reference major state-funded construction project status information rather than listing it directly. During discussion, one member praised the work on the plan and commented on the budget reserve trust fund, noting disagreement with Pew’s suggestion that the process should be in statute because Kentucky has long used the budget bill to govern deposits and uses. The board then moved to final action and unanimously adopted the draft 2026–2032 statewide capital improvement plan, with authority for staff to make final technical and editorial revisions and insert the comprehensive project list before publication. The chair thanked members for their work, noting it was the final meeting of the year, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• artificial intelligence bills?
• <00:03:56.799> artificial when they're um drafting artificial when they're um drafting artificial
• intelligence<00:03:57.920> bills.
• Do y'all see the intelligence bills.
• Uh Mississippi Senate Bill hears it.

Keywords: AIR Task Force - Room 409, 13 January, 2026; 3:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The January meeting of the AIR Task Force focused on reviewing a draft report on artificial intelligence and discussing how to move forward with future work. Ted Booth and Matthew Holmes explained that the report is intended to lay a foundation by describing AI-related challenges, what Mississippi has already done, and possible steps for future reports, since the task force will continue meeting in coming years. Members were invited to suggest edits and improvements, including on how the group communicates by email and how to keep the process efficient given everyone’s schedules. A major topic was whether the task force should recommend a statutory definition of artificial intelligence. The chair said a bill needed to be filed quickly and asked members to review the definition on page five of the report. Booth read the definition, which tracks federal language describing a machine-based system that makes predictions, recommendations, or decisions using machine and human inputs. Members generally agreed the definition was solid and noted that it could be amended later as the field evolves. The task force also discussed the broader legislative approach to AI. Members said the issue is fluid and that they do not want to regulate too early or duplicate existing law. They noted that current criminal statutes, including recent changes related to morphed images, appear to cover AI-related crimes for now, and the attorney general’s office reported no current loopholes or need for tweaks. Homeland Security likewise had no recommendations for new legislation. The chair said the report would be submitted to leadership if there were no objections, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the legislature, a bill draft is, you know, I think like Senator Mathern said, A bill draft is, you
• You know, I see that there is a bill draft for a resolution, but you know how fast...
• Chairman, what bill draft number are we on currently? I don't know if I have a printout of it.
• And so I would suggest Legislative Council draft a bill that has that model.
• This bill draft is... ...within the Indian Affairs Commission, I believe.

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues. A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded. The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, these bills pass as committee bills. Okay. These bills pass as committee bills. All right.
• The reason they are two bills is because our drafting software does not support bills that are this length
• bill.
• Some of the key points that I'd like to highlight are the enforcement that this draft bill does.
• So this draft bill would permit an auto insured to exempt personal injury protection coverage if a vehicle

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:03:43.520> Bill<02:03:44.000> 302 Next bill is House Bill 302 regarding medical
• Another bill. Hi. Chair, we have a bill. Another bill. Good.<02:24:46.240> Congratulations.
• We have one bill on the agenda, House Bill 735, House draft 2, Senate draft 1, relating to wastewater
• This bill um...
• We are voting to pass House Bill 735, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1. I vote aye.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we're on STR 120, Senate Draft 1, requesting the auditor and we just finished that.
• I appreciate the opportunity to testify on this bill.
• Voting on STR 16. and you know, we have u House Bill 250. and you know, we have u House Bill 250.
• Um, members, we're going to take this one on to a House Draft 1.
• <00:42:47.520> uh moving on to 1118 Senate draft one. uh moving on to 1118 Senate draft one

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health met on April 11, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of Senate concurrent and Senate resolution measures focused on health system oversight, workforce standards, and access to care. Topics included an auditor study on mandated insurance coverage for intravenous ketamine therapy for depression (SCR 8 SD1), a working group on prior authorization reform (STR 10 SD2), a task force on minimum professional standards for community health worker training (STR 16 SD1), a pharmacy benefit manager reform working group (SCR 69 SD1), a pharmacy reimbursement working group (STR 70 SD1), an aeromedical services working group (STR 86 SD1), a catchment-water feasibility study for business use (STR 118 SD1), an auditor study on mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitors (STR 120 SD1), and a resolution encouraging reduced use of disposable surgical equipment and more sustainable health care practices (STR 194 SD1). Testimony was generally supportive across the measures, with several agencies and organizations noting the need to address complex health policy issues and improve access, transparency, and sustainability. For STR 16 SD1, community health worker advocates strongly supported the resolution but asked for amendments to include the Hawaii Community Health Worker Association on the task force and to require that at least half of the task force members be community health workers. For the PBM-related measures, SHPDA said it was willing to convene the work group and described the issue as complex, while the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association asked that PBMs be included in the working group. For STR 10 SD2, SHPDA supported the effort to reduce prior authorization burdens and said the process is a "black box" that needs reform; the chair later noted the administration’s commitment to the issue. For STR 86 SD1, the Department of Health supported the aeromed working group, and the chair proposed a House Draft 1 with technical changes and added representation from independent provider operators. In decision making, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on all measures considered. SCR 8 SD1 was passed as is. STR 10 SD2 was deferred. STR 16 SD1, STR 70 SD1, STR 118 SD1, STR 120 SD1, and STR 194 SD1 were passed as is. SCR 69 SD1 was passed with amendments, and STR 86 SD1 was passed with amendments. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Its title having been changed by the committee on bills and third reading, the bill is read a third time
• Its title having been changed by the committee on bills and third reading, the bill is read a third time
• Its title having been changed by the Committee on Bills and Third Reading, the bill is read a third time
• Its title having been changed by the Committee on Bills and Third Reading, the bill is read a third time
• . ...Its title having been changed by the Committee on Bills and Third Reading, the bill is read a third

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate session began with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial welcomes, including recognition of the 2025 Duxbury Girls Soccer Team, the MIAA Division II state champions, and the Medfield Girls Soccer Team, the Division III state champions. Senators offered congratulatory remarks highlighting each team’s season records, championship wins, coaches, and standout performances. The chamber then took up several procedural matters and local bills. The Senate adopted a House order establishing a special joint committee on initiative petitions, passed to be enacted a bill providing for the recall of elected officers in the Town of Sharon, and adopted resolutions congratulating Oxford Fire Chief Lawrence R. McDonald on 45 years of public service. It also advanced multiple local measures for Bridgewater, Cambridge, and Natick, including bills on town council structure, temporary absence of the town manager, appointment powers, a Cambridge employment and job training trust, and a Natick home rule charter amendment. The Senate also acted on several House amendments and Ways and Means reports. It concurred in a House-amended bill on protections for individuals with disabilities after adopting a further Senate amendment with an emergency preamble, ordered a sick leave bank bill for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee to third reading, and adopted orders placing bills on the Orders of the Day for future second reading, including measures on consumer protections, CPA licensure pathways, and fair housing. The session concluded with adjournment orders and moments of silence in memory of Jim Parker and Kimberly Parker, with the Senate set to reconvene the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the next one is Senate Bill 223.
• Um, so Senate Bill, excuse me, House Bill 340, uh, you have in your emails, uh, I draft legislation and
• I think it was 3028 when they did that. so Senate Bill, excuse me, House Bill so Senate Bill, excuse
• <00:06:23.840> legislation draft legislation draft legislation and and and that's<00:06:29.360
• <00:08:07.840> That bill went back and forth. That bill went back and forth.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to compliment your staff for having produced this draft.
• I also want to compliment your staff for having produced this draft.
• salient now that the governor's come out with her bill.
• Yes, and Senator Barrett, as you say, this is a draft.
• On three subject matter recommendation drafting groups.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting was the final session of the Special Commission on Agriculture in the 21st Century, convened to adopt its final report. The chairs described the report as the product of extensive public engagement, research, and collaboration, focused on challenges and opportunities for Massachusetts agriculture, including climate resilience, farmland access, workforce development, food security, and farm viability. Several members and stakeholders thanked the chairs and staff for the multi-year process and emphasized the value of hearing directly from farmers and industry participants. Senator Barrett offered a detailed set of draft corrections and concerns for the record, including the report title, outdated references, repeated definitions of MDAR, the need to better reflect suburban communities, and a possible tension between recommendations supporting anaerobic digestion and a governor’s proposal affecting the alternative portfolio standard. The chairs noted that comments had been circulated for written review and said substantive feedback would be considered, while also indicating the document was nearing finalization. The commission then held a roll call vote and unanimously voted to adopt the final report, with all members present voting yes. The chairs said the final report would be formatted, published online, and distributed to stakeholders and the public, with a public rollout and media briefing planned for the fall. They also noted that the report was intended to support related legislation already filed or expected to be filed in the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• We strongly support this bill.
• support of this bill.
• in the bill.
• in the bill.
• in the bill.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and arts-related measures. HB 307 on special member plates drew written support from Protect Ohana, and HB 531 on a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center specialty plate received strong support from the Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society, both emphasizing cancer research, patient care, outreach, and public awareness. HB 706 would require skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets, and HB 1231 would expand red light photo enforcement; both drew support from transportation and safety advocates, while the Judiciary raised concerns about citation volume, staffing, manual processing, and the need for consultation and a phased rollout. The committee also discussed HB 54, which increases penalties for repeated excessive speeding offenses; the Attorney General’s office supported the enforcement rationale and fingerprinting language, while the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it adds harsh penalties and jail time despite broader efforts to reduce excessive punishment. For the camera-enforcement bills, the Department of Transportation said the red-light and speed-camera programs would be expanded gradually, with existing intersections converted first and additional locations added over time, and noted that the system would require about $2 million and significant automation for the Judiciary. The Judiciary repeatedly asked for more time, public input on camera locations, and effective dates that would allow staffing and system changes. On HB 1166, which funds the automated speed enforcement program, DOT proposed technical amendments to make the citations non-moving violations and to align the statute with the red-light program; the Judiciary again said it had no position on the policy but needed time and consultation to absorb the workload. HB 235, a North Shore red-light imaging bill, drew similar Judiciary concerns and support from a testifier who said enforcement would improve compliance and reduce crashes. The committee also heard HB 1159 on commercial harbor evacuations, with Hawaii Emergency Management Agency supporting the bill as a way to give harbor masters enforceable authority to order vessels out during emergencies. The discussion focused on whether the measure would affect all commercial harbor users, including smaller fishing vessels, and whether it would conflict with Coast Guard authority; the bill’s proponents said it would let the state enforce orders already issued by the captain of the port and protect cargo lanes during crises. Finally, HB 17 on the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority was described by HCDA as a housekeeping and structural bill that would update its purposes, allow it to assist other agencies, and replace multiple county boards with a single program reporting to the 17-member board. DHHL supported the bill because of potential transit and infrastructure benefits for Kapolei and nearby homestead developments, and committee members discussed future financing tools such as improvement districts, TIF, and other mechanisms to fund infrastructure early in the development process.

Transcript Highlights:

• 477 HD1, House Bill 871 HD1, House Bill 951 HD2, House Bill 102 HD1, House Bill 1017 HD1, House Bill
• Representative Todd: Madam Speaker, I move that said House bills with Senate drafts as listed on pages
• On page four, House Bill 477, Senate Draft 2, House Draft 1...
• > Senate<01:18:59.679> draft<01:19:00.080> 2, four, House Bill 477, Senate draft
• 2, four, House Bill 477, Senate draft 2, House<01:19:00.719> draft<01:19:01.120> 1.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill as currently drafted requires that the administration is completed by the patients or the
• So this bill as currently drafted requires that the administration is completed by the patients or the
• So this bill as currently drafted requires that the administration is completed by the patients or the
• So this bill as currently drafted requires that the administration is completed by the patients or the
• So this bill as currently drafted requires that the administration is completed by the patients or the

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 3025, relating to medical debt, with multiple organizations and individuals, including the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Queens Health Systems, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Aloha Care, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction, Hawaii Data Collaborative, and Hawaii Appleseed, all speaking in support. No opposition was heard, and the member present had no questions. The committee then took up SB 3199, which would establish a mental health emerging therapies task force. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers including veterans, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy groups describing personal experiences with PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and treatment-resistant conditions, and arguing that Hawaii should prepare for regulated access to emerging therapies such as MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine. The Department of Health and some medical organizations provided comments, and one opposition witness was called but not present. The chair noted broad support, especially from veterans, and no vote was taken during the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 3324, relating to Medicaid. The Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Care, and numerous care-provider and aging/disability organizations testified in support, while one witness was in opposition and several others offered comments. The discussion then moved to SB 2563, relating to homelessness, where the Department of the Attorney General offered comments on specific sections and recommended adopting suggested amendments if the bill proceeds. Additional testimony on SB 2563 began with support from several individuals, including Shelby Pikachu, who emphasized the severity of homelessness and related social problems in the community.

Transcript Highlights:

• You all have in your packet discussion drafts of these bills.
• So, I won't actually spend a ton of time on the bill drafts themselves.
• So the first—and your bill drafts are in the order of the blurb.
• And I think that's it for this bill. As you can tell, it's a much longer draft. Than that.
• I also want to say I appreciate very much the safeguards in the draft bill against potential...

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's escalated a little bit since the bill has been drafted.
• bit since the the bill has been drafted.<00:27:45.600> Um<00:27:45.840> to<00:27:46.080
• Any other discussion on that bill? bill? bill?
• The second half of this bill, again, is it was drafted with the assistance of the Department of Education
• again is it was second half of this bill again is it was draft<01:14:42.239> or<01:14:42.400>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of House Bill 698, Senate Draft 2, relating to animal cruelty.
• :59.839> Senate<00:14:00.160> draft<00:14:00.480> 2 of House Bill 1155 Senate draft
• 2 of House Bill 1155 Senate draft 2 relating<00:14:01.040> to<00:14:01.199> procurement.
• Third reading of House Bill 1482, Senate Draft 3, relating to controlled substances.
• draft reading of House Bill 1482, Senate draft 3,<00:14:53.760> relating<00:14:54.079> to<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so, um, I drafted this bill because basically I am mindful of Clark, and that's the reason why
• this bill is drafted to refer to joint custody between the Department of Health and DCR.
• <00:07:43.319> this<00:07:43.560> bill back okay so um I drafted this bill back okay
• Okay, Senate Bill 228, recommendation is to pass the Senate draft. Four members are present.
• Okay, Senate Bill 228, recommendation is to pass the Senate draft. Four members are present.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.