Transcript Highlights:

• <00:57:25.680><c> and</c><00:57:25.839><c> opposition</c><00:57:26.960><c> via</c><00:57:27.359><c> Zoo
• </c> testimony and opposition via Zoo. Hi. testimony and opposition via Zoo. Hi.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• :41.760><c> kis</c><00:37:42.760><c> in</c><00:37:43.040><c> opposition</c><00:37:43.599><c> in</c> zoo
• 48.920><c> chair</c><00:37:49.240><c> ilon</c><00:37:50.040><c> and</c><00:37:50.280><c> committee</c> zoo
• thank you chair ilon and committee zoo thank you chair ilon and committee members<00:37:51.000><c> my

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's bill is about common sense and I'll try not to make more than a pet.
• This bill updates Florida's pet dealer laws by strengthening requirements for transparency and consumer
• Program, requiring dealers to maintain records for 7 years instead of 3, and amends the definition of pet
• But I want to commend you on what you do for your pets.

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• When I check out, and I'm asked with All Roundup to support, I don't know, homeless people or pets that
• When I check out, and I'm asked with All Roundup to support, I don't know, homeless people or pets that
• need rescuing, I feel homeless people or pets that need rescuing.
• We don't have an answer to this in the CSA, but is a website for a Virginia-based pet rescue that has

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Transcript Highlights:

• Courts immunity from liability, donations of pet supplies, judicial proceedings.
• from liability, courts immunity from liability, donations<00:13:05.920><c> of</c><00:13:06.160><c> pet
• </c><00:13:06.480><c> supplies,</c><00:13:07.120><c> judicial</c> donations of pet supplies, judicial
• donations of pet supplies, judicial proceedings. proceedings. proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill corrects that failure, including pets in protective orders, recognizing animal abuse as a component
• victims in our state don't leave their abuser because they don't want to leave their family member, their pet
• women in domestic violence shelters were 11 times more likely to report their partner hurt or killed a pet
• Violence Hotline... 97% of callers to the National Domestic Violence Hotline said that keeping their pets

Bills: S0212 , S0656 , S0682 , S0810 , S0812 , S0890 , S0892 , S0900 , S0928 , S1084 , S1284

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1084, which exempts certain identifying and location information for non-legal support staff in state attorneys’ offices from public records requests, was supported by prosecuting attorneys and reported favorably. SB 212, as amended, created new restrictions related to sexual offenders and predators, including a 200-foot restricted presence provision near certain locations and updated notification/supervision requirements; it drew strong opposition from researchers, advocates, and affected families who argued it lacked evidence and would increase homelessness, but it was reported favorably. SB 682, addressing domestic violence, coercive control, strangulation, animal abuse, injunctions, and related training and enforcement issues, received emotional survivor testimony and support from animal welfare and law enforcement groups and was reported favorably. SB 656, creating and renaming FDLE Internet Crimes Against Children funding and grant programs, was amended and reported favorably and unanimously. The committee also considered SB 810 on sealing criminal history records, which would expand eligibility for some non-conviction records and one low-level misdemeanor conviction after waiting periods and judicial review; supporters said Florida is unusually restrictive, while one senator raised concerns about the scope, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 890, creating a standalone battery by strangulation offense applicable outside domestic relationships, was reported favorably after the sponsor said it would close a gap in current law. SB 892, revising habitual offender and violent career criminal sentencing procedures and notice requirements, was reported favorably, with defense lawyers supporting the clearer pretrial notice. SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction of certain dangerous crimes, was amended to include computer pornography/child exploitation offenses and reported favorably after a family member of the namesake victim testified in support. Later, SB 1284 modernized arrest and search warrant statutes, expanding judicial summons options for some misdemeanors and broadening warrant/arrest authority in certain DUI, injunction, domestic violence, and misdemeanor force cases; defense lawyers supported the judicial-discretion portions but raised concerns about DUI/BUI arrests, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 812, a technical companion to SB 810 updating public records treatment for sealed criminal history records, was amended to clarify prosecutorial access for later cases and reported favorably. Several bills were supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups, while others drew opposition from civil liberties, treatment, homelessness, and criminal defense advocates. The meeting adjourned after members recorded additional votes on selected tabs.

Transcript Highlights:

• dog, service pet, or emotional animal for yourself, is going to do damage to the home.
• I allow pets to be in my homes, but I have safeguards.
• We're not talking about pets here.
• We're not talking about pets housing.
• And if that's someone like a nut allergy, someone who cannot be around pets, who is actually dangerous

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so currently pet vendors need to uh anyone who is selling pets as defined in statute needs if they
• </c> which is relative to lensure as pet which is relative to lensure as pet vendor. vendor. vendor.
• ><c> uh</c><02:37:18.640><c> as</c> anyone who is selling uh pets uh as anyone who is selling uh pets
• Um, we also did away with hobby farmers or hobby pet people at that time.
• or hobby hobby pet people at that<02:40:50.800><c> time.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• These predators, such as mountain lions, bears, and wolves, are killing livestock, pets, and people.
• Kim Delphina, with Defenders of Wildlife California and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in support

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• EACH steps in to keep pets with their families and ease the strain on clinics and the shelter already
• </c><01:13:15.520><c> to</c> available but huge for Maui pets to available but huge for Maui pets to
• nets for their pets and service animals.<01:13:44.000><c> Each</c><01:13:44.239><c> steps</c><01:13:
• Each steps in to keep pets with animals.
• Mahalo for considering our request pets.

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• The poisons leech out onto our yards where our kids play and where our pets roam, and sometimes our pets
• And they're not only lethal to pets and wildlife; rodenticides are a leading cause of pet poisoning,
• </c> household pets, and wildlife. household pets, and wildlife.
• And they're not only lethal to pets and wildlife; rodenticides are a leading cause of pet poisoning,
• </c> leading cause of pet poisoning. leading cause of pet poisoning. causing<02:10:12.000><c> internal

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> The bill before you create an efficient, effective regulatory framework for pet insurance that benefits
• bill is good for consumers, industry this bill is good for consumers, industry participants and the pet
• >> Donovan Brown with the North American Pet Health Insurance Association waiving in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Hampshire if they have them as pets Hampshire if they have them as pets already<01:50:53.320><c>
• All this allows for is for someone who has a raccoon or gray squirrel as a pet in a state that allows
• that, if they are moving to New Hampshire, they can bring their pet with them.
• </c> New Hampshire they can bring their pet New Hampshire they can bring their pet with<01:52:22.960>
• </c> danger of trying to keep them as pets danger of trying to keep them as pets and<03:01:47.399><c>

Summary: The meeting covered two main items. First, the solid waste subcommittee reviewed draft language for HB 707, focusing on landfill siting and permitting standards. Members and the Department of Environmental Services discussed replacing repeated references to “aquifer” with “drinking water well,” clarifying that aquifer is a broad term, and considering whether a statutory definition was needed. They also debated the bill’s setback and time-of-travel provisions, including the 10^-5 standard, a 1,500-foot distance, and whether the bill should rely more on performance-based criteria than prescriptive distances. Another major topic was permit denial language tied to applicants with significant histories of repeated serious violations or landfill-related litigation; the department said it already has related authority in current rules, but noted some wording was still too vague and could be tightened. No vote was taken, and the chair closed the hearing with plans to continue work later. The second item was a work session on HB 424, which would direct the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food to create forms for businesses to request information about service animals and establish a study committee on fraudulent or untrained service animals. Several members said the problem raised by the bill was real but expressed concern that the legislature may be limited by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Others argued that a study committee would likely not produce a workable solution and might conflict with leadership’s direction to avoid unnecessary study committees. Members discussed whether the bill should be retained, amended, or instead replaced with a letter or resolution to the federal delegation. The committee appeared to lean toward ITL and possibly pursuing a letter to federal officials, but no final vote is reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's not lung cancer; the only way they would have caught it again would have been if they were doing PET
• scans, and they weren't doing PET scans.
• cancer, you know, the only way they would have caught it, again, would have been if they were doing pet
• scans, and they weren't, they weren't doing pet scans.
• So the follow-up tests might include PET scans, like you mentioned, follow-up CT scans, biopsies, things

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124 on lung cancer screening awareness. The author and supporters said the bill would require CDPH signage about lung cancer screening eligibility at tobacco point-of-sale locations to address low awareness and low screening rates. Support came from medical students, physicians, and the California Academy of Family Physicians, while retailers raised concerns about sign size, retailer notification, and implementation. Committee members generally supported the bill and noted the need to work through those concerns. SB 1150 sought to require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author described the bill as a response to inconsistent notification practices and privacy concerns, and the chair and other members shared personal stories about learning they or family members were in the registry without knowing it. Cancer registry and university stakeholders expressed appreciation for amendments but continued to have concerns or wanted more time to review the language. The bill was discussed as a patient-awareness measure rather than a change to reporting requirements. The committee also heard SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1094 on biosimilar substitution and health plan policies, SB 1314 on smoke shop regulation and nitrous oxide restrictions, and SB 1309 on eliminating cost-sharing for medically necessary follow-up after lung cancer screening. SB 1400 and SB 1314 drew support from local officials, labor, and public health advocates, with members emphasizing youth protection and local oversight. SB 1094 passed after extensive debate over pharmacist substitution authority and notification requirements, with a 6-0 vote and opposition from biotechnology and physician groups. SB 1309 also passed after members discussed the cost of follow-up care and the value of early detection, despite opposition from health plans over premium impacts; it received a 7-0 vote and was placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• not lung cancer; the only way they would have caught it, again, would have been if they were doing PET
• scans, and they weren't doing PET scans.
• cancer, you know, the only way they would have caught it, again, would have been if they were doing pet
• scans, and they weren't, they weren't doing pet scans.
• So the follow-up tests might include PET scans, like you mentioned, follow-up CT scans, biopsies, things

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124, which would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to raise awareness of a screening that many eligible Californians do not know exists; retailers raised concerns about signage size, distribution, and notice to stores. The bill was presented while the committee lacked quorum, so no vote was taken at that time. Members then heard SB 1150, which would require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author and committee chair emphasized patient awareness and privacy, while registry and university stakeholders said they appreciated the amendments and would continue working on the language. SB 1400 followed, proposing changes to Alameda Health System governance to give Alameda County more flexibility and direct oversight; county and labor supporters said the current structure is too rigid for today’s health care environment, and no opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 1094, which would expand substitution of biosimilars and generics to lower prescription drug costs. Supporters, including health plans and Sharp Health Care, said the bill would reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs, while opponents from biotechnology and rheumatology groups raised concerns about pharmacist substitution, patient switching, and therapeutic equivalence. After quorum was established, SB 1094 passed 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1314, which would create a statewide definition for smoke shops, impose a 600-foot buffer from sensitive sites, and restrict nitrous oxide sales; it drew broad support from local government, pediatric, and law enforcement groups and passed 6-0 on call. SB 1309, which would eliminate cost-sharing for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care, also passed 7-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations after testimony from clinicians, advocates, and insurers. Finally, SB 1199 was introduced to ban copay accumulators, with the sponsor and author arguing it would ensure patient assistance counts toward out-of-pocket maximums and improve medication access.

Transcript Highlights:

• lung cancer; you know, the only way they would have caught it again would have been if they were doing PET
• scans, and they weren't doing PET scans.
• cancer, you know, the only way they would have caught it, again, would have been if they were doing pet
• scans, and they weren't, they weren't doing pet scans.
• So the follow-up tests might include PET scans, like you mentioned, follow-up CT scans, biopsies, things

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• art and history museums, historical societies, science and technology centers, botanical gardens, zoos
• facilities, nonprofit organizations, and institutions such as natural history museums, California's zoos

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and creative industries in California. Chair Ben Allen, Vice Chair Chris Ward, and other members described the moment as a crisis, citing proposed or implemented cuts to the NEA, NEH, and IMLS, grant terminations, leadership removals, and budget proposals to zero out major cultural agencies. Members emphasized that arts and humanities are both culturally essential and economically significant, and they framed the hearing as a chance to hear impacts on the ground and consider state and federal responses. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA highlighted the scale of the problem. Harky said federal rescissions and policy changes are causing immediate financial harm, forcing hiring freezes, program cancellations, and emergency fundraising, while disproportionately hurting rural, immigrant, elder, and small community organizations. She noted California’s creative economy generates hundreds of billions of dollars and urged support for restoring state arts funding, museum grants, and legislation such as SB 456 and AB 3149, along with federal measures like the Charitable Act and Performing Arts Tax Parity Act. Fisher focused on film and television production, saying runaway production, outdated tax rules, and weak federal IP protections are harming workers and local businesses; she urged federal production incentives, tax parity for performers, and stronger protections against AI misuse of artists’ voices and likenesses. State agency leaders Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council described direct impacts from federal funding disruptions. Noguchi said California Humanities lost NEH support immediately, putting grants and documentary projects at risk and prompting possible litigation and appeals. Lucas said the State Library initially faced a major IMLS funding loss but has since had part of the money restored, though still with a reduced amount that will limit local assistance. Purcell said the California Arts Council is assessing terminated grants and fielding urgent calls from grantees, while continuing to distribute state arts funds and track the damage. Members asked about bipartisan support, business coalition-building, economic measurement, AI threats to creative work, and the implications of federal leadership changes; no votes were taken, but the hearing ended with calls for continued advocacy, legal action, and possible state investment to stabilize the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation also explores practical uses of these harvested fish, including in the pet and animal
• Fortunately, they are completely safe for inclusion in pet food industry.
• within the NOAA Chesapeake Bay office to facilitate a market for Chesapeake Bay blue catfish in the pet
• </c><05:04:26.680><c> The</c><05:04:26.800><c> MAWS</c><05:04:27.160><c> Act</c> pets nationwide.
• The MAWS Act pets nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some people at my job call me the animal whisperer, so working at a veterinarian or Maybe at a zoo would

Transcript Highlights:

• wanted to start off by saying today is January 14th, and it just happens to be National Dress Up Your Pet
• You have a pet? I don't have a pet. I don't have a pet.

Bills: SB5871 , SB5919

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: motor vehicle, glass repair, insurance claims, consumer protection, regulations, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures