Transcript Highlights:

• 02:13.160><c> happens</c><02:02:13.520><c> if</c><02:02:13.680><c> you</c><02:02:13.760><c> think</c>
• </c> you're first you're first first<02:02:16.240><c> position,</c><02:02:16.960><c> you're</c><02:02
• , you're always second position<02:02:17.880><c> to</c><02:02:18.000><c> the</c><02:02:18.080><c> town
• </c> You<02:02:21.240><c> know,</c> You know, You know, with<02:02:22.280><c> your</c><02:02:22.440><
• </c><02:02:23.200><c> We</c><02:02:23.680><c> we</c><02:02:24.080><c> right.

Summary: The meeting began with introductions, approval of the March 6 minutes as amended to add an attendee list, and a brief overview of the day’s agenda. The committee heard two presentations from carbon project developers, with the first from Dylan Jenkins of Finite Carbon. He described Finite Carbon’s work in improved forest management projects, its role in developing carbon methodologies and protocols, and its experience with projects in New England, Appalachia, Alaska, and Canada. He also outlined the difference between compliance and voluntary carbon markets, the role of registries and intermediaries, and the types of buyers in the market, including large corporate buyers and long-term off-take partners. A major focus of the presentation was how forest carbon projects are structured and how credits are monetized. Jenkins distinguished between removals and reductions, explaining that removals come from new forest growth while reductions are tied more closely to baseline assumptions and standing stock. He said improved forest management projects can generate both types of credits, and that removals generally command higher prices because they are easier for buyers to understand and verify. He also emphasized that carbon project commercialization can occur before, during, or after credit issuance, and that landowners may be paid through a variety of structures, including leases, advance fees, per-unit payments, or off-take agreements. Jenkins then addressed the committee’s tax-related questions, saying House Bill 123 appeared intended to treat carbon credit sales similarly to timber sales for local tax purposes. He argued that carbon credits are a forest product and that taxing them can be reasonable in principle, but he stressed that lawmakers should distinguish between commoditization and commercialization when deciding what event to tax. He noted that credits may be created but never sold, and that in some programs landowners retain timber and carbon rights while in others the developer has deeper control over those rights. In response to questions, he said the industry uses protocols, verification, and third-party oversight to address baseline and quality concerns, but acknowledged that baseline setting remains a major point of debate in the market.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; the<00:02:16.920><c> line</c><00:02:17.200><c> You</c><00:02:17.320><c> were</c><00:02:17.400
• ><c> huh,</c><00:02:19.080><c> back</c><00:02:19.280><c> in</c><00:02:19.360><c> the</c><00:02:19.440
• </c> Back<00:02:25.440><c> in</c><00:02:25.560><c> the</c><00:02:25.640><c> day,</c><00:02:25.920><c>
• Uh<00:02:29.520><c> but</c><00:02:29.680><c> no,</c><00:02:29.800><c> no,</c><00:02:29.960><c> I</c><
• Um<00:02:31.040><c> one</c><00:02:31.200><c> of</c><00:02:31.280><c> the</c><00:02:31.360><c> things<

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The Committee on Government Operations met on April 14, 2026, to consider Governor’s Message 784, a nomination for the 911 Board: Terrence Gomez for a term ending June 30, 2030. The chair noted that the committee had received written testimony in support from Davelyn Racadio, EMS Dispatch Coordinator for the Maui Police Department, and invited Gomez to testify by Zoom. Gomez said he wanted to serve because of his public safety background and his desire to strengthen emergency communications and support community and first responder safety. He said he has 27 years of law enforcement experience, including work with dispatchers and the emergency operations center. The chair asked about the board’s role in helping counties upgrade PSAP systems, but Gomez said he was not familiar with that issue and had no specific thoughts at the time. After questions concluded, the chair recommended advising and consenting to the nomination, saying Gomez’s county police experience would be an asset to the board. The committee voted yes by members present, with Senator Gabbard excused, and the nomination was approved. The chair congratulated Gomez and adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.399><c> that</c><00:02:00.560><c> in</c><00:02:00.799><c> your</c><00:02:00.960><c> area</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:03.280><c> So</c><00:02:03.600><c> over</c><00:02:03.920><c> time</c><00:02:04.719><c> uh<
• > as</c><00:02:11.120><c> evolves</c><00:02:11.840><c> as</c><00:02:12.080><c> well</c><00:02:12.239>
• ><c> know</c><00:02:13.120><c> as</c><00:02:13.440><c> you</c><00:02:13.680><c> all</c><00:02:13.840>
• ><c> a</c><00:02:21.200><c> huge</c><00:02:22.000><c> uh</c><00:02:22.160><c> influx</c><00:02:22.720

Bills: SB95 , HB322 , SB95 , HB322

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: underground facilities, excavation safety, One-Call Notification System, utility protection, public safety, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, pipeline protection, utility management, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, director compensation, municipality, electricity supply, board of directors, postpartum depression, postnatal care, maternal mental health, perinatal depression, postpartum screening

Transcript Highlights:

• now we<01:02:01.839><c> simply</c><01:02:02.240><c> don't</c><01:02:02.559><c> know</c><01:02:03.319
• 01:02:08.200><c> of</c><01:02:08.279><c> a</c><01:02:08.400><c> two-step</c><01:02:09.000><c> process
• ><01:02:20.880><c> but</c><01:02:21.039><c> we</c><01:02:21.200><c> also</c><01:02:21.480><c> need</c
• c> uh</c><01:02:40.559><c> but</c><01:02:40.720><c> happy</c><01:02:40.920><c> to</c><01:02:41.039><c
• 02:58.319><c> usawa</c><01:02:59.079><c> may</c><01:02:59.359><c> be</c><01:02:59.559><c> on</c><01:02

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.079><c> going</c><00:02:00.240><c> to</c><00:02:00.320><c> be</c><00:02:00.479><c> taken</c><00:02
• This<00:02:06.479><c> is</c><00:02:06.640><c> something</c><00:02:06.880><c> where</c><00:02:07.200><
• <00:02:09.119><c> by</c><00:02:09.440><c> all</c><00:02:09.679><c> of</c><00:02:09.840><c> the</c><00
• ><c> and</c><00:02:13.920><c> put</c><00:02:14.080><c> it</c><00:02:14.239><c> on</c><00:02:14.319><c
• :02:33.760><c> we</c><00:02:34.000><c> sent</c><00:02:34.160><c> to</c><00:02:34.319><c> the</c><00:02

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:02:09.920><c> line</c><02:02:10.239><c> six</c><02:02:10.679><c> here</c><02:02:11.520><c> um</c>
• :02:17.119><c> is</c><02:02:18.119><c> yes</c><02:02:18.360><c> thank</c><02:02:18.520><c> you</c><02
• <02:02:19.400><c> theory</c><02:02:19.920><c> is</c><02:02:20.239><c> a</c><02:02:21.159><c> concept<
• ><02:02:39.360><c> we</c><02:02:39.480><c> know</c><02:02:39.760><c> was</c><02:02:40.400><c> uh</c><
• that came<02:02:45.000><c> out</c><02:02:45.239><c> of</c><02:02:45.719><c> uh</c><02:02:45.960><c>

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And<02:02:07.840><c> for</c><02:02:08.080><c> this</c><02:02:08.239><c> one,</c><02:02:08.480><c> I'd
• </c><02:02:08.719><c> like</c><02:02:08.880><c> to</c><02:02:09.040><c> adopt</c><02:02:09.360><c> the
• ><c> to</c><02:02:12.560><c> distribute</c><02:02:12.960><c> the</c><02:02:13.280><c> grants</c><02:02
• And<02:02:19.760><c> um</c><02:02:20.639><c> those</c><02:02:20.960><c> are</c><02:02:21.199><c> my</
• &gt;&gt; Vice<02:02:26.000><c> Chair</c><02:02:26.159><c> for</c><02:02:26.320><c> the</c><02:02:26.400

Bills: HB2488 , HB2456

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cuz I I believe<00:02:16.160><c> we</c><00:02:16.280><c> provide</c><00:02:16.800><c> some</c><00:02:
• </c><00:02:23.959><c> I</c><00:02:24.000><c> could</c><00:02:24.200><c> probably</c><00:02:24.680><c>
• </c><00:02:26.040><c> You</c><00:02:26.160><c> know,</c><00:02:26.280><c> we</c><00:02:26.440><c> put
• Yeah.<00:02:45.560><c> I</c><00:02:45.640><c> mean,</c><00:02:45.920><c> that's</c><00:02:46.320><c>
• </c><00:02:50.640><c> I'm</c><00:02:50.800><c> just</c><00:02:51.080><c> curious</c><00:02:51.600><c>

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:02:03.360><c> bill</c><02:02:03.560><c> House</c><02:02:03.760><c> Bill</c><02:02:03.920><c> 1171
• </c><02:02:05.079><c> the</c><02:02:05.159><c> University</c><02:02:05.520><c> of</c><02:02:05.639><c
• ><c> never</c><02:02:08.599><c> has</c><02:02:08.800><c> to</c><02:02:09.079><c> issue</c><02:02:09.480
• :14.199><c> to</c><02:02:14.360><c> do</c><02:02:14.560><c> so</c><02:02:15.520><c> um</c><02:02:16.000
• ><c> do</c><02:02:26.280><c> is</c><02:02:26.440><c> just</c><02:02:26.599><c> make</c><02:02:26.800>

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Bachman Hall and heard testimony on several UH-related bills. HB 542 would expand the Hawaiʻi Promise Program to provide unmet-need scholarships at four-year UH campuses. UH system officials, the UH Student Caucus, and a Honolulu Community College student testified in support, emphasizing college affordability, student retention, and workforce needs. Committee members asked about current program data, eligibility, transfer patterns, and cost; UH said it had data available, noted about 10% of current Hawaiʻi Promise students transfer to four-year campuses, and estimated the full expansion would cost about $12 million. UH also suggested a possible alternative of focusing on transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year campuses. The committee then heard HB 840, which concerns athletics appropriations for UH. UH Mānoa and UH Hilo supported the bill. UH officials said the funding would help cover recurring athletics operating costs, women’s sports travel and recruiting, Austin Awards, and a new nutrition fueling station, while Hilo said the money would help with travel, per diem, and conference-related costs. Members asked about the history of the athletics funding, the difference between Austin Awards and special talent waivers, NIL planning, and whether the appropriation should be restored to the base budget. UH explained that a $4 million athletics appropriation was originally made in 2018 or 2019, later removed from the base, and has been reappropriated annually since then. Finally, the committee heard HB 842, which would fund three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions at UH Mānoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center. UH supported the bill, and Academic Labor United and a high school student testified in favor, citing student stress, overwork, and the need for more counseling access. In questions, members discussed the current counselor-to-student ratio, recruitment challenges in a tight labor market, and strategies for hiring, including looking at candidates on soft-money grants who may be seeking stable employment. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:00:45.840><c> So</c><02:00:46.000><c> the</c><02:00:46.159><c> f</c><02:00:46.480><c> 6.1</c>
• So the f 6.1 the table<02:00:47.840><c> 6.1</c><02:00:48.480><c> right</c><02:00:48.719><c> we</c><02
• </c><02:06:36.880><c> So</c><02:06:37.199><c> if</c><02:06:37.440><c> I</c><02:06:37.599><c> do</c><02
• <02:07:16.639><c> part</c><02:07:17.360><c> um</c><02:07:17.440><c> of</c><02:07:17.679><c> my</c><02
• <02:10:05.840><c> or</c><02:10:06.159><c> a</c><02:10:06.320><c> new</c><02:10:07.040><c> um</c><02:10

Summary: The committee first handled roll call and approved the prior meeting minutes. Members discussed attendance and substitutions, then moved to the DHS commissioner’s update, which focused on New Hampshire’s Medicaid 1115 waiver and the new community re-entry initiative for people leaving correctional facilities. The presenter explained that the waiver lets the state cover certain services not normally covered under Medicaid, including substance use disorder treatment, serious mental illness services, adult dental benefits, and the new community re-entry component. She also noted that a separate youth re-entry component is federally required, with youth defined up to age 21 and foster-care-related coverage extending to age 26. The update described how the adult re-entry program works for incarcerated individuals with behavioral health needs, providing up to 45 days of pre-release services, care coordination with managed care organizations and DOC staff, telemedicine assessments, discharge prescriptions, insurance cards, and connections to community mental health, primary care, and substance use providers. For youth, the program includes more intensive case management, 30 days of pre-release services, and 30 days of post-release care coordination, with a stronger emphasis on screening, diagnosis, and holistic assessment. The presenter said New Hampshire received the adult waiver in July 2024, has implemented the program in state correctional facilities, and is beginning work at the youth center. Members and the presenter discussed why the program is structured as a waiver rather than a standard Medicaid benefit, with the explanation that CMS is allowing this as a newer policy area and that states generally pursue waivers for certain services. The chair and others emphasized the need for real cost and outcome data, and the presenter said an independent evaluator and evaluation plan are required under the 1115 waiver. Early results cited included 30 adults enrolled so far, 10 released, five youth enrolled with one released, and anecdotal early successes such as housing, employment, and better continuity of medication and treatment. The committee did not take any additional votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• point<00:02:05.399><c> on</c><00:02:05.960><c> they</c><00:02:06.079><c> would</c><00:02:06.280><c>
• have</c><00:02:06.360><c> to</c><00:02:06.479><c> make</c><00:02:06.640><c> a</c><00:02:06.799><c> new
• :02:17.200><c> examiners</c><00:02:18.200><c> uh</c><00:02:18.400><c> from</c><00:02:19.080><c> that<
• c><00:02:22.959><c> from</c><00:02:23.120><c> a</c><00:02:23.560><c> doctor</c><00:02:24.560><c> um</
• 00:02:30.040><c> um</c><00:02:30.440><c> in</c><00:02:30.599><c> New</c><00:02:30.800><c> York</c><00

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up House Bill 662, relating to personally identifiable information. Representative John Blanton explained that the bill would let judges, including federal and state judges, request redaction of their personal and immediate family information from public records, but that the protection would end if they later made identifying information public themselves. He also said the bill would restrict access to certain medical examiner information tied to insurance-company examinations, while still allowing doctors and hospitals access to know who is reviewing the information. The chair noted a committee substitute with a small change on page 3, line 12, removing name and license number language. After discussion, the sponsor agreed to proceed with the substitute. Senator Nemes moved adoption of the committee substitute, seconded by Senator Carroll, and it was adopted without opposition. The committee then voted on the bill itself. Senator Nemes moved passage, Senator Carroll seconded, and the roll was called. House Bill 662 was reported favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:02.960><c> So</c><00:02:03.280><c> what</c><00:02:03.520><c> we</c><00:02:03.680><c> want<
• :02:05.200><c> rates</c><00:02:06.240><c> and</c><00:02:06.640><c> keep</c><00:02:06.799><c> the</c>
• </c><00:02:07.759><c> to</c><00:02:08.959><c> uh</c><00:02:09.280><c> make</c><00:02:09.520><c> sure<
• year and if we need<00:02:13.599><c> money</c><00:02:13.840><c> for</c><00:02:14.000><c> a</c><00:02:
• there.<00:02:16.080><c> So,</c><00:02:16.800><c> um,</c><00:02:17.200><c> that's</c><00:02:17.599><c>

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> including</c><00:02:13.040><c> where</c><00:02:13.200><c> there</c><00:02:13.360><c> is</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:22.400><c> So</c><00:02:22.640><c> again</c><00:02:23.040><c> I</c><00:02:23.280><c> will<
• ><c> um,</c><00:02:35.200><c> I'll</c><00:02:35.360><c> take</c><00:02:35.519><c> a</c><00:02:35.680>
• </c><00:02:42.480><c> All</c><00:02:42.560><c> in</c><00:02:42.720><c> favor</c><00:02:42.959><c> say
• &gt;&gt; We're<00:02:46.239><c> going</c><00:02:46.319><c> to</c><00:02:46.400><c> do</c><00:02:46.560

Summary: The committee met to begin work on three impeachment petitions: one against Ballard County Jailer Eric Copus, one against family court judge Stephanie Pllo, and one against Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwin. Before moving into executive session, the chair announced that John Blandon would chair any discussion of the Goodwin petition and that the chair would recuse himself from that matter. The chair then read a formal recusal letter into the record, explaining that he was stepping aside from the Goodwin petition because he had received a lawful campaign contribution from the citizen who filed it. He said the recusal was intended to avoid any appearance of impropriety and to preserve public confidence in the impeachment process, while making clear he would continue to preside over the other impeachment matters. The committee then voted to go into executive session to discuss and adopt rules of procedure. The motion was made by Mr. Blandon, seconded by Mrs. Deckard, and approved after roll call. The committee announced it would retire to executive session in room 125.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:45.199><c> So,</c><02:02:45.440><c> how</c><02:02:45.599><c> does</c><02:02:45.760><c> that</c><02
• </c><02:02:48.000><c> Uh,</c><02:02:48.960><c> where</c><02:02:49.599><c> um</c><02:02:50.080><c> people
• Uh, where um people retain<02:02:50.800><c> their</c><02:02:51.040><c> rights</c><02:02:51.360><c> to
• </c> So<02:02:56.080><c> I'll</c><02:02:56.320><c> start</c><02:02:56.480><c> this</c><02:02:56.800><
• 58.239><c> address</c><02:02:58.480><c> this</c><02:02:58.719><c> in</c><02:02:58.800><c> more</c><02

Summary: The commission met with a quorum, approved the agenda, and approved the November 12 minutes after a motion, second, and unanimous voice/online consent. The chair said the meeting would include two presentations—one from Noah Herman of Fortress Global and one from John Kicko and team from Hedera—followed by discussion of the commission’s next steps and public comment. The chair also noted he was still seeking a clerk for note-taking. Herman’s presentation focused on stablecoins, blockchain use cases, and operational considerations for states and other institutions. He described Fortress as an enterprise crypto-wallet and treasury platform serving corporates, governments, and nonprofits, and used examples such as Save the Children and a large global commodities firm to illustrate custody and treasury management on blockchain rails. He said stablecoins are designed to maintain a U.S. dollar peg, are increasingly backed by treasuries and subject to greater transparency, and are being adopted by major firms and payment companies because they can improve speed, reduce cost, and simplify payments. He also highlighted market growth, including claims that stablecoins now represent a significant share of on-chain activity and are a major holder of U.S. Treasuries. He identified custody as a key issue for state and institutional use, outlining qualified custody, managed custody, and self-custody models. He said the main practical challenge for the commodities client was moving funds safely and quickly across global time zones and that blockchain rails could solve problems that traditional banking rails could not. He framed the broader trend as one of accelerating institutional adoption, citing recent acquisitions and product launches by Visa, Stripe, Citi, and PayPal as evidence that stablecoin infrastructure is becoming mainstream.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<01:02:00.559><c> That's</c><01:02:00.960><c> way</c><01:02:01.280><c> greater</c><01:02:01.599><c>
• </c><01:02:04.400><c> And</c><01:02:04.559><c> it</c><01:02:04.799><c> has</c><01:02:04.960><c> to</c
• <01:02:10.240><c> all</c><01:02:10.400><c> of</c><01:02:10.559><c> you</c><01:02:10.799><c> know</c><
• </c><01:02:23.520><c> of</c><01:02:23.760><c> all</c><01:02:23.920><c> of</c><01:02:24.079><c> our</c
• Mahalo<01:02:26.000><c> for</c><01:02:26.960><c> listening</c><01:02:27.440><c> and</c><01:02:27.680>

Bills: HB1183 , HB1656 , HB1658 , HB1661 , HB1663 , HB1664 , HB1859 , HB2116 , HB2271 , HB2276 , HB2335 , HB2360 , HB2387 , HB2472 , HB1805 , HB2469 , HB1815 , HB1860 , HB2117 , HB2118 , HB2437 , HB2438 , HB2604 , HB1590 , HB2156 , HB2268

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:07.600><c> okin</c><00:02:08.200><c> as</c><00:02:08.360><c> well</c><00:02:08.560><c> as<
• Education<00:02:12.440><c> uh</c><00:02:12.560><c> please</c><00:02:12.920><c> hold</c><00:02:13.160
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• 00:02:21.120><c> Miyaki</c><00:02:21.560><c> if</c><00:02:21.640><c> you</c><00:02:21.760><c> could</
• rise<00:02:22.879><c> so</c><00:02:23.080><c> we</c><00:02:23.200><c> know</c><00:02:23.959><c> who<

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• </c><00:02:04.719><c> which</c><00:02:04.840><c> is</c><00:02:05.000><c> going</c><00:02:05.119><c> to
• room</c><00:02:08.319><c> 123</c><00:02:09.319><c> to</c><00:02:09.520><c> take</c><00:02:09.759><c>
• um some<00:02:10.959><c> uh</c><00:02:11.120><c> negotiated</c><00:02:12.080><c> uh</c><00:02:12.360
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• </c><00:02:18.400><c> co-chair</c><00:02:18.840><c> long</c><00:02:19.080><c> and</c><00:02:19.200><c

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• > kind</c><02:02:00.960><c> of</c><02:02:01.040><c> relief</c><02:02:01.360><c> they</c><02:02:01.599
• I understand<02:02:02.320><c> the</c><02:02:02.560><c> can</c><02:02:02.719><c> of</c><02:02:02.880><
• c> see</c><02:02:06.880><c> HHRF</c><02:02:08.000><c> continuing</c><02:02:08.560><c> to</c><02:02:08.719
• :02:09.920><c> from</c><02:02:10.239><c> 90</c><02:02:10.480><c> to</c><02:02:10.960><c> 140</c><02:02
• have lower<02:02:19.360><c> and</c><02:02:19.599><c> lower</c><02:02:19.920><c> risk</c><02:02:20.400

Summary: The joint committees held an informational briefing on efforts to expand insurance capacity in Hawaii’s property market, especially for condominium and homeowners coverage. The Insurance Commissioner reviewed the background: a legislative task force, the governor’s emergency proclamation in August 2024, and Senate Bill 1044 in May 2025 led to new condo insurance products. He said the work over the past two and a half years was producing positive results and introduced representatives from HPIA and HHRF/HHR to provide updates. HPIA’s board chair and its administrator described the organization’s history, structure, and current products. HPIA said it was created in 1991 as a residual market for homeowners insurance, now writing four residential products: HO2 homeowners, renters, HO6 condo unit owners, and dwelling fire. They reported policy counts have grown again as admitted-market carriers tightened underwriting, and they discussed financial pressure from reinsurance costs, though those costs had declined in 2025 after different purchasing decisions. They also said the market has become more favorable overall, with some capacity returning and deductibles beginning to ease. Members focused much of their questioning on HPIA’s proposed higher dwelling limits. HPIA explained that the current $450,000 limit for homeowners and dwelling fire was set in 2023, but agents are now asking for a higher limit in the $650,000 to $750,000 range because construction costs have risen and many policies are not being submitted when the limit is too low. HPIA said it has the authority to raise the limit through a filing with the Insurance Division and expects more submissions if the cap increases. They also discussed the shift in the book of business from roughly 70% lava-zone coverage to closer to a 50/50 split between lava and non-lava risks. HPIA outlined strategic initiatives: a new policy administration system that went live October 1 and now allows online payments, online claims reporting, and electronic notices; a filed request to raise the homeowners and dwelling fire limit to $650,000 effective March 1 for new business and April 1 for renewals; an increase in the HO6 condo unit owners limit from $5,000 to $100,000; and a planned commercial property all-other-perils-excluding-hurricane condo product targeted for filing by January 31. No votes were taken, and the meeting was informational only.

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• .<00:02:01.080><c> Their</c><00:02:01.320><c> salary</c><00:02:01.880><c> goes</c><00:02:02.200><c> up
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• Your<00:02:16.959><c> salary</c><00:02:17.600><c> would</c><00:02:17.800><c> go</c><00:02:18.040><c>
• So,<00:02:23.760><c> it's</c><00:02:23.880><c> a</c><00:02:23.959><c> lot</c><00:02:24.280><c> of</c>
• :02:58.959><c> it</c><00:02:59.080><c> to</c><00:02:59.160><c> this</c><00:02:59.360><c> board.

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

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• us on<00:02:30.240><c> certain</c><00:02:30.520><c> issues</c><00:02:30.800><c> and</c><00:02:30.920
• :02:31.920><c> issues</c><00:02:32.360><c> and</c><00:02:32.480><c> really</c><00:02:32.680><c> try</
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• And speaking<00:02:37.160><c> of</c><00:02:37.280><c> kind</c><00:02:37.480><c> of</c><00:02:38.000><
• <00:02:39.280><c> The</c><00:02:39.360><c> bonding</c><00:02:39.880><c> committee</c><00:02:40.200><c