Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:21:47.760><c> Um,</c><00:21:48.480><c> and</c><00:21:48.720><c> today</c><00:21:49.919><c> I've<
• Um, and today I've been with the<00:21:50.720><c> department</c><00:21:51.039><c> a</c><00:21:51.200>
• the department a couple years and director<00:21:52.720><c> Wyman</c><00:21:53.360><c> for</c><00:21:
• 54.000><c> like</c><00:21:54.320><c> four</c><00:21:54.640><c> years</c><00:21:54.880><c> and</c><00:
• don't<00:21:55.440><c> believe</c><00:21:55.679><c> there's</c><00:21:56.000><c> been</c><00:21:56.159

Summary: The committee convened after briefly waiting for a quorum, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and then moved through several agency rule items. The Department of Transportation’s outdoor advertising rule filing was approved after staff noted the department had addressed substantive comments, though the rules had been expired since 2021 and the agency said it had been operating under statute. Members asked about a denied digital sign proposal, and DOT said that decision was based on statute rather than the rule. The Department of Safety’s administrative license suspension item was postponed with a waiver so the agency could submit conditional approval materials and resolve issues between its forms and rules. The Board of Architects item was conditionally approved, with the condition that the board later approve updated incorporation-by-reference materials at its April 3 meeting or the matter would return as a preliminary objection. The Department of Agriculture’s expired rules prompted extended discussion. Staff and committee members questioned why the department was seeking to adopt rules that had been expired for many years and whether the statutes already provided enough authority to operate without them. Agriculture officials said they were working through a broader modernization effort, focusing on statutes that use mandatory language and updating outdated rules to match current practices, federal standards, and current products such as apples, cider, eggs, and other agricultural commodities. They said the rules before the committee were part of that effort and recommended approval, but members remained concerned about whether some rules were unnecessary. The committee ultimately granted a waiver and postponed the agriculture item for one month so staff could review the underlying statutes and determine whether rulemaking is actually required. Under other business, the committee took up an emergency Department of Safety rule to update DMV forms to reflect statutory fee changes enacted in the 2025 budget. DMV officials said the new fees were already in effect, but the corresponding forms still showed old amounts, causing confusion for customers and elected officials who were fielding complaints. They argued the forms needed immediate updating because the affected forms are widely used, and they said the department had already tried to treat the changes as editorial before being told full rulemaking was required. The department emphasized it was trying to follow the process while avoiding continued use of incorrect fee forms, and asked the committee to allow the emergency rule to proceed.

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.039><c> there</c><00:21:01.240><c> are</c><00:21:01.559><c> I</c><00:21:01.640><c> think</c><00:21
• c><00:21:28.799><c> s</c><00:21:29.320><c> 1</c><00:21:29.720><c> 2</c><00:21:30.120><c> six</c><00:21
• 9 as well as the<00:21:33.480><c> uh</c><00:21:33.640><c> newly</c><00:21:34.000><c> added</c><00:21
• Services judges uh in 2024<00:21:49.000><c> uh</c><00:21:49.799><c> chapter</c> 2024 uh chapter 2024
• uh chapter 48040<00:21:52.240><c> was</c><00:21:52.679><c> created</c><00:21:53.840><c> um</c><00:21

Bills: HF1379 , HF1596 , HF2260 , HF1429

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: nonopioid directive, opioid refusal, opioid-free care, pain management, health care directive, advance directive, patient autonomy, informed consent, substance use disorder, opioid epidemic, prescriber immunity, provider liability, emergency medical services, EMS, health record, Minnesota Department of Health, health care agent, medical power of attorney, Metropolitan Council, Minnesota government data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> building</c><00:21:02.960><c> more</c><00:21:03.200><c> of</c><00:21:03.400><c> these</c><00:21:
• </c><00:21:11.919><c> ponds</c><00:21:12.600><c> some</c><00:21:12.799><c> from</c><00:21:13.039><c>
• ><c> back</c><00:21:20.360><c> on</c><00:21:20.520><c> it</c><00:21:21.200><c> um</c><00:21:21.440><c
• /c><00:21:25.240><c> the</c><00:21:25.400><c> reason</c><00:21:25.880><c> I</c><00:21:26.000><c> went
• ><c> up</c><00:21:48.559><c> to</c><00:21:48.880><c> what</c><00:21:49.000><c> they</c><00:21:49.120>

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :21:14.640><c> lakes</c><00:21:15.760><c> in</c><00:21:16.080><c> Ohio,</c><00:21:17.280><c> Iowa,</c
• ><c> and</c><00:21:20.880><c> some</c><00:21:21.039><c> of</c><00:21:21.120><c> the</c><00:21:21.280>
• </c><00:21:29.039><c> They</c><00:21:29.360><c> put</c><00:21:29.520><c> them</c><00:21:29.600><c> in
• 00:21:36.960><c> lakes</c><00:21:37.520><c> and</c><00:21:37.760><c> they</c><00:21:37.919><c> sell</
• > and</c><00:21:39.440><c> in</c><00:21:39.600><c> turn</c><00:21:40.400><c> the</c><00:21:40.720><c>

Committee: Joint Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

Transcript Highlights:

• Division two: 21.
• Section 30 of Chapter 23 of the General Laws, as amended by Section 120 of Chapter 7 of the Acts of 2003
• Amendment number 21. Mr.
• First division, 21.
• First division, 21.

Summary: The House considered House No. 57, a $425 million supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 to fund the emergency shelter/emergency housing assistance system and related activities. The bill, as described by the chair of Ways and Means, included major policy changes requested by the Governor: immediate residency verification at intake, limits on eligibility, required criminal history disclosures and CORI checks, a reduced maximum shelter stay from nine months to six months with hardship waivers, temporary respite sites for 30 days, and a cap on system capacity. Supporters argued the changes were needed to preserve the right-to-shelter system amid fiscal strain and federal inaction; opponents said the bill still did not go far enough or, in some cases, went too far and risked harming families and children. The House debated and voted on numerous amendments, mostly focused on tightening eligibility or changing shelter operations. Several Republican amendments to reduce funding, impose a one-year residency requirement, require broader background checks, limit eligibility to homelessness caused within Massachusetts, and require cooperation with ICE were rejected, often after roll call votes. A point of order was sustained on multiple amendments as beyond the scope of the bill, including proposals affecting court officers, law enforcement, and ICE-related provisions. The House also rejected amendments to cut the appropriation from $425 million to $200 million and to add other restrictions on eligibility and administration. Some amendments were adopted. A redrafted Amendment 27, offered by Rep. Decker, was adopted 25-25 on a tie vote and expanded protections to children under age six and added related hardship/extension language. A subsequent amendment by Rep. Consalvo was adopted unanimously to add disability-related protections and extend benefits in certain cases. Another amendment by Rep. Finn was adopted to modify language about seeking federal reimbursement, and Amendment 9 was adopted to require competitive bidding for certain service funds. After debate and roll call, the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 126-26. The House then observed a moment of tribute for Doug Selfick and adjourned to meet again Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• 33, Section 1; Laws 2025, Section 1; Laws 2028, Chapter 303, Section 1; and Laws 2020, Chapter 305,
• 2025, Chapter 235, Section 1; Mining Laws 2035, Section 8; and Laws 2024, Chapter 21, Section 1, as
• amended by Laws 2025, Chapter 211, Section 1, and Laws 2025, Chapter 21-C, Section 2.
• By last 2012, Chapter 21, Section 2, and last 2018, Chapter 199, Section 3, opening monies to a team
• , 326-12, and 40-30, 21-26, 21-20, 20-21, 20-20, 2-30, 21-30, relating to state boards and agencies,

Summary: The meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a guest introduction for Deputy Frank Sloop. The Senate then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations after brief explanations and, in several cases, floor amendments. Topics included public records, capital outlay review, local government, taxation, state budget implementation, higher education appropriations, utility regulation, towing regulation, homeowners association disclosures, nursing board regulation, veteran services, criminal justice, human services, K-12 education, state property management, and the continuation of the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Several bills were amended on the floor before receiving favorable recommendations. House Bill 2114 on motorcycle-related provisions was amended to require that at least one registered owner be legally licensed to operate a motorcycle in Arizona. House Bill 2397 on HOA/condominium disclosures was amended to change disclosure timing and fee rules and make other conforming changes. House Bill 2408 on nursing board regulatory action was amended to remove a clear-and-convincing-evidence burden in disciplinary matters and clarify complaint-sharing procedures. House Bill 2957 on driver’s license/handheld provisions, House Bill 2305 on towing regulation, and House Bill 2321 on DCS-related reporting also received amendments before do-pass recommendations. The largest item was Senate Bill 1847, the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act. Senators offered extensive floor amendments affecting agriculture, corrections, criminal justice, school safety, law enforcement equipment, vehicle theft task force funding, liquor licensing, and other budget items. During third reading and debate on the budget, Democratic senators praised negotiated gains such as funding for aging services, food assistance, civil legal aid, school meals, heat relief, and a three-year moratorium on new data center tax incentives, while criticizing border-related funding, ESA/voucher policy, and cuts to higher education and adult education. One member’s remarks were ruled dilatory after repeated off-topic comments, and the ruling of the chair was sustained by a 16-12 vote. The transcript ends with additional budget-related explanation of votes continuing after the budget’s third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:09.240><c> And</c><00:21:09.760><c> I</c><00:21:09.840><c> had</c><00:21:10.040><c> some</
• Um Um Um and<00:21:16.520><c> I</c><00:21:16.600><c> kind</c><00:21:16.800><c> of</c><00:21:16.880><c
• > picked</c><00:21:17.040><c> her</c><00:21:17.160><c> brain</c><00:21:17.440><c> a</c><00:21:17.480>
• Um<00:21:25.120><c> the</c><00:21:25.200><c> different</c><00:21:25.480><c> levels</c><00:21:25.880><
• 21:27.880><c> be</c><00:21:28.000><c> involved</c><00:21:28.480><c> in</c><00:21:28.560><c> this</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:21:07.360><c> urge</c><00:21:07.600><c> you</c><00:21:07.880><c> to</c><00:21:08.000><c> support
• I<00:21:10.720><c> thank</c><00:21:10.920><c> you</c><00:21:11.000><c> for</c><00:21:11.120><c> your<
• <c> answer</c><00:21:12.320><c> any</c><00:21:12.440><c> questions</c><00:21:12.880><c> you</c><00:21
• Uh<00:21:20.000><c> members,</c><00:21:20.280><c> just</c><00:21:20.400><c> for</c><00:21:20.520><c>
• :21:21.920><c> bill</c><00:21:22.160><c> is</c><00:21:22.280><c> to</c><00:21:22.400><c> vote</c><00:

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:08.720><c> So,</c><00:21:08.880><c> the</c><00:21:09.120><c> more</c><00:21:09.200><c> we<
• ><00:21:10.159><c> the</c><00:21:10.320><c> more</c><00:21:10.480><c> we</c><00:21:10.720><c> can</c>
• get consumers<00:21:11.919><c> over</c><00:21:12.159><c> that</c><00:21:12.400><c> upfront</c><00:21
• , you know, advocacy<00:21:20.400><c> is</c><00:21:20.640><c> about</c><00:21:20.799><c> is</c><00:21
• </c><00:21:22.720><c> over</c><00:21:23.039><c> that</c><00:21:23.360><c> hurdle,</c><00:21:23.919><c

Bills: SB2033 , SB2487 , SB2497 , SB2471 , SB2829

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee first reconvened on SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons. After discussion with the Attorney General’s office and a prior Q&A period, the chair said the committee would defer decision-making again, with the intent to return with amended versions of both bills that could gain support from the administration and its lawyers. The measures were deferred to Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Conference Room 229 at 9:30 a.m. The committee then took up SB 2180, relating to deposits of public funds. Members noted late testimony from the prior day’s joint hearing with the Housing Committee and moved to pass the bill out with amendments, including a defective effective date. The motion carried unanimously among those voting: the chair, vice chair, Senator Lamosao, and Senator Awa voted aye; Senator McKelvey was excused. The measure was adopted. A joint hearing followed on SB 2033, relating to renewable energy and a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. The PUC supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the time, resources, and stakeholder input needed to establish the proposed process, and asked for clarification of terms such as “grid-ready homes” and the role of HERA. Hawaiian Electric said it supported the intent but opposed the proposed process and HERA funding use. The Hawaii Solar Energy Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that faster interconnection is needed to meet rooftop solar goals and lower costs over time. Testimony totaled 27 in support, two in opposition, and four with comments. Members questioned costs, consumer protections, and whether the bill would burden low- and moderate-income households; the bill’s supporters said amendments could clarify the definition of grid-ready homes and add guardrails, while acknowledging that upfront costs and interconnection costs would still need to be addressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; I<00:21:13.039><c> think</c><00:21:13.120><c> the</c><00:21:13.360><c> question</c><00:21:13.520
• I<00:21:23.039><c> wanted</c><00:21:23.360><c> to</c><00:21:23.919><c> get</c><00:21:24.240><c> information
• </c><00:21:46.640><c> I</c><00:21:46.880><c> just</c><00:21:47.120><c> want</c><00:21:47.200><c> to</
• &gt;&gt; Um<00:21:52.720><c> just</c><00:21:52.880><c> line</c><00:21:53.120><c> by</c><00:21:53.440>
• ><c> tax</c><00:21:55.280><c> structure</c><00:21:55.600><c> of</c><00:21:55.840><c> the</c><00:21:56.240

Bills: HB1719 , HB1742 , HB1737 , HB2049 , HB1725 , HB1726 , HB1738 , HB1799 , HB1700

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The joint public hearing covered several housing-related bills and one building-code measure. HB 1719 would make manufactured homes a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots in the urban district, HB 1742 would authorize self-contained relocatable housing units with restrictions, and HB 1737 would clarify that a farm dwelling in an agricultural district may include an accessory employee housing structure. Testimony on these bills was overwhelmingly supportive from groups including Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Modular Building Institute, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and others, with a few agencies offering comments. No one testified in opposition on HB 1719 or HB 1742, while HB 1737 drew one opposition and one comment in addition to broad support. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 2049, which restructures the conveyance tax into a marginal-rate system and changes how the revenue is allocated, including funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the rental housing revolving fund, while also affecting the legacy land conservation fund. Supporters, including DHHL, Hawaii Appleseed, Aahu Youth Action Board, Hawaii YIMBY, and others, argued the bill would help Native Hawaiian housing and, for most transactions, function as a tax cut. Opponents, including NAP Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Land Trust, Mhai Land Trust, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, objected to using conveyance tax as a revenue-generating tool and raised concerns about higher upfront costs and reduced funding for other housing uses. Committee members and staff discussed the bill’s revenue estimates, the reduced percentage but higher cap for the land conservation fund, the effect on rental housing funding, and the bill’s cost-of-living adjustment language; staff said a line-by-line comparison of the current and proposed tax structure would be provided before decision-making. The hearing also took up HB 1725, which would extend the state building code adoption cycle from two years to six years, apply the IRC to triplexes and fourplexes, allow counties to adopt more or less stringent amendments, and appropriate funds for code adoption work. Most testimony supported the bill, with advocates saying the current process is unmanageable, too resource-intensive, and creates confusion because state and county codes can diverge; supporters said a longer cycle would improve clarity and allow more focused review. The International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers opposed the measure, warning that delaying adoption could have negative consequences and urging the committee to let an existing statewide code-adoption strategy proceed first. Members asked about sequencing, county implementation, and whether the longer cycle would create catch-up problems, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have Lauren Akit, who's the Maui president of the Maui chapter and also the University of Hawaiʻi
• we have Sonia Toma who's Maui chapter we have Sonia Toma who's the<00:02:26.319><c> public</c><00:02
• the motion is carried on pages 13 to 16, standing committee report numbers 805 to 826, and on page 21
• standing committee report numbers to 21 standing committee report numbers 40<00:05:08.400><c> 849</c
• No vote for Senator Richards. 21 ayes, 2 noes. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate convened, called the roll, approved the previous day’s journal, and heard several introductions recognizing staff, visiting students from Do Middle School participating in Working Families Day, and advocates from organizations including H-CAN, Hawaii Workers Center, Aloha Care, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the American Association of University Women Hawaii. The clerk then reported gubernatorial messages withdrawing several nominations to boards and commissions, transmitting one nomination to the State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, and House communications sending House bills to the Senate for first reading and committee referral. The chamber adopted multiple groups of standing committee reports, including reports requiring 48-hour notice and one-day notice, and then took up third reading of Senate bills. Several bills passed third reading by unanimous consent or near-unanimous votes, including measures relating to water pollution, spaying and neutering animals, condominiums, marine life conservation districts, mental health, geothermal resources, the University of Hawaiʻi, and aircraft. Senate Bill 841 SD1 and SB 1042 SD1 each passed 22-1, SB 1197 SD1 passed 21-2, and SB 319, relating to marijuana, failed on third reading with 11 ayes and 12 noes. The Senate also granted a waiver of referral for Senate Bill 1621 SD1 to the Committee on Ways and Means so it could meet the first taking deadline, and gave one day’s notice for third reading. The session concluded with a motion adopted to leave the journal open until 11:00 p.m. for additional committee reports and to recess until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• :46.720><c> city</c><00:21:47.039><c> with</c><00:21:47.159><c> a</c><00:21:47.559><c> population</c>
• with a population under 50,000 when<00:21:50.039><c> air</c><00:21:50.520><c> uh</c><00:21:50.799><c>
• when</c><00:21:51.120><c> property</c><00:21:51.480><c> is</c><00:21:51.600><c> leased</c><00:21:52.000
• :52.559><c> uses</c><00:21:53.200><c> the</c><00:21:53.360><c> property</c><00:21:53.679><c> is</c><00
• <c> population</c><00:21:58.039><c> of</c><00:21:58.159><c> Greater</c><00:21:58.640><c> than</c><00:

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• :21:05.280><c> explore</c><00:21:05.600><c> the</c><00:21:05.760><c> depths</c><00:21:06.080><c> of</
• science<00:21:07.120><c> or</c><00:21:07.360><c> get</c><00:21:07.520><c> hands-on</c><00:21:08.080>
• c><00:21:36.480><c> many</c><00:21:36.720><c> students</c><00:21:37.039><c> who</c><00:21:37.200><c>
• Be<00:21:40.080><c> it</c><00:21:40.240><c> further</c><00:21:40.480><c> resolved</c><00:21:40.799><c
• </c> $21<00:44:34.560><c> million.</c> $21 million. $21 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• The<00:21:06.000><c> other</c><00:21:06.240><c> is</c><00:21:06.880><c> the</c><00:21:06.960><c> place
• </c> &gt;&gt; This<00:21:17.600><c> is</c><00:21:17.679><c> a</c><00:21:17.840><c> friendly</c><00:21
• </c><00:21:19.840><c> That</c><00:21:20.320><c> just</c><00:21:20.480><c> takes</c><00:21:20.640><c>
• &gt;&gt; We<00:21:27.360><c> going</c><00:21:27.440><c> to</c><00:21:27.520><c> wait</c><00:21:27.679
• ><c> and</c><00:21:28.799><c> then</c><00:21:29.760><c> I</c><00:21:30.640><c> have</c><00:21:30.799>

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:

• So's district, the Plateau<00:21:40.320><c> Valley</c><00:21:40.880><c> FFA</c><00:21:41.520><c> chapter
• </c><00:21:42.080><c> that</c><00:21:42.400><c> come</c> Plateau Valley FFA chapter that come Plateau
• Valley FFA chapter that come from<00:21:42.960><c> Coburn,</c><00:21:43.520><c> they</c><00:21:43.679
• ><c> are</c><00:21:43.840><c> right</c><00:21:44.080><c> over</c><00:21:44.320><c> here.
• Thank<00:21:44.960><c> you</c><00:21:45.120><c> and</c><00:21:45.360><c> welcome</c><00:21:45.840><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• and</c><00:21:18.280><c> the</c><00:21:18.400><c> total</c><00:21:18.680><c> amounts</c><00:21:19.040
• ><c> to</c><00:21:23.840><c> do</c><00:21:24.160><c> is</c><00:21:24.360><c> start</c><00:21:24.840><
• ><c> over,</c><00:21:32.960><c> the</c><00:21:33.040><c> whole</c><00:21:33.200><c> packet</c><00:21:
• you look at<00:21:43.160><c> each</c><00:21:43.600><c> section,</c><00:21:44.720><c> it's</c><00:21:
• </c> Does<00:21:55.720><c> everyone</c><00:21:55.910><c> [snorts]</c><00:21:56.040><c> see</c><00:21:

Transcript Highlights:

• districts<00:21:03.200><c> and</c><00:21:03.440><c> many</c><00:21:03.760><c> other</c><00:21:04.039
• :21:06.320><c> think</c><00:21:06.640><c> of</c><00:21:06.799><c> as</c><00:21:06.960><c> political</
• <00:21:10.080><c> any</c><00:21:10.320><c> entity</c><00:21:10.799><c> created</c><00:21:11.279><c> by
• by the state<00:21:12.679><c> that</c><00:21:12.880><c> has</c><00:21:13.120><c> the</c><00:21:13.480
• c><00:21:15.320><c> that</c><00:21:15.440><c> includes</c><00:21:15.799><c> many</c><00:21:16.120><c>

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:02.000><c> help</c><00:21:02.200><c> the</c><00:21:02.360><c> discussion</c><00:21:02.720><c>
• </c><00:21:09.240><c> was</c><00:21:09.480><c> made</c><00:21:09.760><c> available</c><00:21:10.240><
• > and</c><00:21:19.320><c> thank</c><00:21:19.440><c> you</c><00:21:19.520><c> for</c><00:21:19.679><
• :37.360><c> Cal</c><00:21:37.760><c> and</c><00:21:37.880><c> we</c><00:21:38.039><c> just</c><00:21:
• 38.279><c> make</c><00:21:38.440><c> sure</c><00:21:38.760><c> that</c><00:21:39.039><c> we</c><00:21

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• :10.880><c> Anyone</c><00:21:11.200><c> from</c><00:21:11.360><c> the</c><00:21:11.520><c> public</c>
• If<00:21:17.679><c> you'll</c><00:21:17.840><c> make</c><00:21:18.000><c> your</c><00:21:18.080><c> way
• way to the testifying<00:21:18.880><c> table,</c><00:21:19.120><c> we'll</c><00:21:19.360><c> give</
• table, we'll give you about 45<00:21:20.400><c> seconds</c><00:21:20.720><c> or</c><00:21:20.880><c>
• so</c><00:21:21.039><c> to</c><00:21:21.280><c> share</c><00:21:21.440><c> your</c><00:21:21.600><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:08.640><c> I</c><00:21:08.799><c> just</c><00:21:08.960><c> can't</c><00:21:09.120><c> get
• :21:22.000><c> the</c><00:21:22.320><c> I</c><00:21:22.559><c> am</c><00:21:22.799><c> president</c>
• :35.760><c> section</c><00:21:36.080><c> of</c><00:21:36.240><c> the</c><00:21:36.400><c> chapter,</c
• ><00:21:37.120><c> we've</c> this section of the chapter, we've this section of the chapter, we've talked
• </c> chapter 712A. chapter 712A.

Bills: SB2040 , SB2248 , SB2530 , SB2732 , SB2871 , SB2919 , SB3076 , SB3300 , SB3301

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2248 would expand financial disclosure requirements to certain gubernatorial nominees subject to Senate confirmation. The State Ethics Commission supported the measure, saying disclosures should be filed before confirmation so the public and interested parties can review them in advance. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with 22 supporters, no opposition, and one comment. SB 2530 would broaden Hawaii’s campaign contribution ban for state and county contractors to include officers and immediate family members, and would extend the ban to certain grantees and their officers and family members, with specified contract thresholds. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is its own proposal and would align the thresholds with procurement guidelines. Testimony was entirely favorable, with 30 in support, no opposition, and two comments. Members asked about conforming amendments and how the existing prohibition on soliciting contributions applies; CSC said the calendar-day language clarifies current practice and that the solicitation ban already applies to contractors, with the bill extending the same standard to officers and immediate family members. SB 2732 would require courts to consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail, including excluding public benefits from income calculations and clarifying the 40-hour affordability benchmark for those above 150% of the federal poverty level. The Office of the Public Defender, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that unaffordable bail creates wealth-based disparities, contributes to jail overcrowding, and can cause severe collateral consequences for people not yet convicted. There was one opposition testimony and 18 supporters. Committee discussion focused on when the 40-hour period should begin, how income would be verified, and whether misrepresentation could affect bail; the Public Defender said the measure should be read to start from initial appearance and that judges could address false statements through existing remedies. SB 2871 would prohibit discrimination based on perceived characteristics, association with someone who has or is perceived to have protected characteristics, and intersectional combinations of characteristics. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked for clear definitions, while the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the bill does not add new protected classes and simply codifies the Lamb v. University of Hawaii decision on intersectional discrimination. LGBTQ+, civil rights, ACLU, and other advocacy groups testified in support, with one opposition testimony and a total of 27 in support, two opposed, and one comment. The committee then heard SB 2919, which appropriates funds for one full-time public deputy public defender position. The Public Defender’s Office said the position would provide statewide legal support and a centralized resource on constitutional, appellate, and immigration-related issues; several advocacy groups supported the measure, and committee questions focused on how the new position would complement existing training and keep staff updated on changing law.