Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of standing committees.
• Without objection, reports of standing committees is listed on the calendar and will be read.
• This one stands to cost our state $1.2 billion. This one stands to cost our state $1.2 billion.
• That's why we had a joint committee hearing of both the House and Senate tax committees yesterday.
• , in the Ways and Means Committee last night, in the Committee of the Whole this morning.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, recognized the Doctor of the Day, and welcomed several guest groups, including JAG students and students from Heila Ben High School. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider HB 2153, the annual tax conformity bill, which was described by supporters as aligning Arizona tax law with recent federal changes and providing relief through no tax on tips and overtime, a larger child tax credit, a new child care expense deduction, and a deduction for certain retirement income. Opponents argued the measure would primarily benefit wealthy individuals and corporations, reduce state revenue, and leave some seniors out because the retirement-income deduction is tied to retirement accounts. Members also discussed the Department of Revenue’s already-issued tax forms and the need for certainty for filers. After extended debate, the Committee of the Whole gave HB 2153 a do pass recommendation by a vote of 31-26, and the House adopted the report and sent the bill to engrossing. The House then took up the Senate mirror bill, SB 1106, substituted for HB 2153, and after floor explanations of vote, passed it 31-27 with 2 not voting. Supporters said the bill would help working families, seniors, and small businesses and prevent filing confusion, while opponents repeated concerns about cost, fairness, and impacts on public services. The bill was transmitted to the Senate. Following the tax vote, members made several announcements, including birthday wishes and a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and committee chairs announced upcoming cancellations. The House then recessed and reconvened for first reading and referral of a long list of new bills covering topics such as elections, health care, education, transportation, public safety, taxation, housing, and appropriations. The session ended with a motion to adjourn until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Olive, and stay standing, stay standing if you would.
• Committee substitute Senate Bill 467.
• They get no help and no standing.
• get to this standing issue standing comes from the the open courts part of the Texas Constitution right
• order to have standing, correct?

Bills: SJR59 , SCR30 , SCR46 , SB31 , SB127 , SB324 , SB401 , SB407 , SB467 , SB482 , SB506 , SB529 , SB584 , SB619 , SB636 , SB646 , SB647 , SB659 , SB715 , SB732 , SB735 , SB771 , SB784 , SB800 , SB801 , SB816 , SB1013 , SB1026 , SB1049 , SB1055 , SB1065 , SB1137 , SB1169 , SB1181 , SB1383 , SB1395 , SB1410 , SB1433 , SB1524 , SB1531 , SB1568 , SB1640 , SB1666 , SB1681 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB1757 , SB1972 , SB1980 , SB2004 , SB2007 , SB2041 , SB2046 , SB2050 , SB2075 , SB2076 , SB2154 , SB2173 , SB2206 , SB2225 , SB2253 , SB2268 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2314 , SB2322 , SB2330 , SB2351 , SB2366 , SB2371 , SB2392 , SB2398 , SB2476 , SB2533 , SB2540 , SB2544 , SB2589 , SB2610 , SB2623 , SB2660 , SB2662 , SB2693 , SB2707 , SB2717 , SB2722 , SB2742 , SB2753 , SB2779 , SB2807 , SB2843 , SB2844 , SB2858 , SB2877 , SB2880 , SB2885 , SB2920 , SB2938 , SB2986 , HJR4 , HCR35 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB5 , SB260 , SB1786 , SB914 , SB963 , SB1197 , SB1415 , SB1437 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR84 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR46 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SCR30 , SCR3 , SB2023 , SB1433 , SB2322 , SB2877 , SB407 , SB1718 , SB1395 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB619 , SB1122 , SB732 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB529 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB2253 , SB584 , SB1085 , SB2314 , SB2046 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB1137 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB1055 , SB2660 , SB2662 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB647 , SB1721 , SB2268 , SB2366 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2371 , SB2383 , SB646 , SB1169 , SB1754 , SB2779 , SB2004 , SB2119 , SB2448 , SB1777 , SB1283 , SB2392 , SB2076 , SB2786 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2225 , SB1540 , SB2920 , SB2929 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB2742 , SB2595 , SB2217 , SB715 , SB2330 , SB1383 , SB500 , SB1640 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB2722 , SB506 , SB2514 , SB2623 , SB2753 , SB2398 , SB1241 , SB2927 , SB2173 , SB2538 , SB898 , SB467 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB1531 , SB2846 , SB2476 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2864 , SB31 , SB2880 , SB1359 , SB2386 , SB771 , SB2844 , SB2550 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2807 , SB2351 , SB410 , SB659 , SB816 , SB2776 , SB2693 , SB2580 , SB1980 , SB1886 , SB1234 , SB739 , SB482 , SB456 , SB127 , SB1666 , SB2843 , SB2801 , SB800 , SB2055 , SB784 , SB2986 , SB735 , SB1012 , SB324 , SB2926 , SB2938 , SB2007 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB2615 , SB1049 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB1568 , SB2841 , SB2885 , SB3016 , SB2858 , SB2610 , SB2139 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB2308 , SB2306 , SB2041 , SB1528 , SB1681 , SB1141 , SB2401 , SB2530 , SB2375 , SB547 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB1467 , SB2069 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB2544 , SB672 , SB904 , SB2695 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB2543 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB457 , SB2357 , HJR4 , HB135 , HB 1109 , HCR35 , HCR64 , SB2721 , SB243 , SB1285 , SB2568 , SB1959 , SB1442 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB1237 , SB1844 , SB1586

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Children's Action committee.
• </c> I stand in strong support. Thank you. I stand in strong support. Thank you.
• I'm Judith Clark, a the committee.
• We stand in strong support of this bill and are here to answer any questions the committee might have
• <c> the</c><01:02:03.040><c> committee</c> report that uh the committee report that uh the committee

Bills: HB2116 , HB1879 , HB2214 , HB2310 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB2560 , HB1596 , HB2197 , HB2498 , HB2167

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to human services, homelessness, transit, and family supports. HB 2116 HD1, concerning grants from the Office of Community Services to nonprofits providing training and volunteerism opportunities, drew strong support from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and multiple organizations in written testimony. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable people affected by federal program changes and cuts by connecting them to reintegration and support services. HB 1879 HD1, establishing a subsidized youth transit program coordinated with counties, received extensive testimony in support from the Department of Health, Department of Taxation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii State Youth Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, and others. Testifiers emphasized equity, school attendance, reduced transportation costs, climate benefits, and broader access for youth. Several witnesses urged amendments to make the program universal rather than means-tested, and committee discussion noted implementation questions for neighbor islands and rural areas. HB 2214, creating a refundable diaper tax credit for low-income families with children age four and under, was supported by the Hawaii Diaper Bank, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and several other organizations. The Department of Taxation recommended making the credit non-refundable and clarifying definitions to aid administration, while supporters argued refundability was important for low-income families who may owe little or no income tax. HB 2310, an emergency appropriation to replenish DHS funds used to provide SNAP benefits during a federal shutdown, also drew broad support from DHS, Catholic Charities, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Aloha United Way, and others; witnesses praised the state’s rapid response and said the appropriation would prepare DHS for future emergencies. The committee also heard HB 2168 HD1 and HB 2427 HD1 on education for students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied homeless youth; the Attorney General recommended technical amendments to avoid conflicts with existing law and to clarify McKinney-Vento-related definitions, while advocates stressed the need for school access, transportation, meals, and other supports for homeless and runaway youth.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee reports.
• </c> committee report. committee report.
• Will you please stand? State University. Will you please stand?
• meet</c> committee, full committee will meet committee, full committee will meet tomorrow.<00:32:10.640
• You're standing The eyes have it. You're standing recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was proud to stand for our election laws and to stand with President Trump.
• </c> for our election laws and to stand with for our election laws and to stand with President<00:43:
• It was a long day, but a day when patriots began to stand. Stand now or kneel forever.
• </c><01:18:34.080><c> Stand</c> day when patriots began to stand.
• Stand day when patriots began to stand.

Bills: HR780 , HR976 , HR975 , HR974

Keywords: gridlock, policy priorities, House resolution, legislative process, procedural motion, house meeting hours, legislative schedule, government procedure, House of Representatives, quorum, business proceeding, legislative procedure, government functionality, Congress, notification, Presidential communication

Transcript Highlights:

• committee.
• committee.
• committee.
• Uh, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee, uh, on behalf of Director James Tokyo, we stand on our
• Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee stand. Thank you.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're just passing with technical amendments only in that language in the standing committee report
• I’d like to move this out as is and include in the standing committee report that this committee believes
• So I actually am not going to amend the bill, but I would like to include in the standing committee report
• Um, yeah, so just include the standing committee report about our timeline.
• c> our</c> standing committee report about our standing committee report about our timeline.<02:30:11.439

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2592, which would clarify the powers of the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority regarding land use on Mauna Akea and related property transfers. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the rural property transfer but objected to language transferring conservation district use permits, saying CDUPs normally run with the land rather than being assigned to specific telescopes or observatories. The University of Hawaiʻi and the observatories generally supported the bill but urged clearer language, especially on the transfer of real property assets, related obligations and liabilities, and the inclusion of milestones for the transition. Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill’s overall intent but warned that some language could be overbroad and might improperly waive future beneficiary claims. Several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it ignored DHHL lands and beneficiary rights, while others supported it as a way to clarify the authority’s role. Members questioned DLNR about the practical effects of transferring CDUP responsibility, and the committee emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on specific land. The committee then took up House Bill 2593, which would authorize the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to 10 years. The authority explained that the bill does not itself extend any lease, but instead gives the authority discretion to initiate a transparent public process if extensions are needed. The University of Hawaiʻi supported the concept but said the timing of any extension matters and noted possible legal requirements under state law. The observatories also supported the bill, describing it as a flexible tool during a broader transition process and noting that the authority has held many public planning workshops. Opponents, including Native Hawaiian and community testifiers, argued that the conservation lands should receive the highest protection, that the community had not consented, and that the observatories have had decades to plan ahead. One testifier urged the bill be deferred or killed for lack of clarity. In response to questions, the committee clarified that the bill only authorizes a process and does not itself extend leases, and that any extension would require public participation. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 2047, relating to the AHAPU advisory committee. The discussion focused on the committee’s administrative relationship to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and whether DLNR should oversee basic legal compliance issues such as Sunshine Law and legislative reporting. DLNR explained that the committee is administratively attached to the department, which provides support on human resources, procurement, and legal questions, but that the committee itself generally handles its own operations. The department said it would route compliance questions to its attorneys and implement their advice. The hearing then moved on to House Bill 2231, which would transfer appointment authority for island burial council members from the governor and Senate to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees. OHA said it generally supported the change for geographic moku representatives, since it already nominates candidates for those seats, but expressed concern about taking on appointment authority for the large landowner seats because that role is less directly tied to its statutory duties.

Transcript Highlights:

• > committee</c><00:01:35.280><c> report</c> On page four, standing committee report number 1350 for adoption
• President, I move for the adoption of standing committee report number 1350. Senator DeCorte. Mr.
• and adoption of standing committee reports on Senate concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions moving
• </c><00:07:12.639><c> committee</c><00:07:13.039><c> reports</c> adoption of standing committee reports
• adoption of standing committee reports and<00:07:13.759><c> Senate</c><00:07:14.160><c> concurrent</

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Beginning on page two, standing committee report numbers 1139 to 1177 are before the Senate for
• Senator Wakai moved for the adoption of standing committee reports numbers 1139 to 1177.
• Senator Wai moved for the adoption of said standing committee reports.
• :28.240><c> 1137</c> Standing committee report numbers 1137 Standing committee report numbers 1137 and
• </c><00:19:35.840><c> committee</c> the adoption of said standing committee the adoption of said standing

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> written</c> department stands on and written department stands on and written testimony<00:02:06.240
• </c> stand in strong support of this measure. stand in strong support of this measure.
• Wayne Takoy, members of the committee.
• Uh, we stand in strong...
• Uh, we stand in strong support of this measure, and I just want to mahalo the committee for considering

Bills: SB2093 , SB2095 , SB2046 , SB2096 , SB2127 , SB2155 , SB2243

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The joint Senate Agriculture and Environment and Health and Human Services hearing opened with SB 2093, which would require the fuel tank advisory committee to meet at least quarterly and provide funding. The Department of Health offered written testimony, and multiple supporters, including the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Sierra Club, and a public member of the advisory committee, said more frequent meetings were needed to keep Red Hill cleanup, water testing, and public engagement front and center. Senators asked about public participation and whether the bill should also require meetings outside business hours; testifiers urged at least one evening or weekend meeting to improve access. No vote was taken during the discussion shown. The committee then heard SB 2095, creating a PFAS working group within the Department of Health to study PFAS and related chemicals and report to the Legislature. DOH supported the concept but requested amendments and funding, while the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity deferred to DOH. The Board of Water Supply supported the measure and asked to be included in the working group. Members asked about the bill’s reference to “other residuals,” and DOH explained it could refer to remaining PFAS components in soil, water, or other media. The discussion emphasized the widespread and long-lasting nature of PFAS contamination. Next, the committee considered SB 2046 on underground storage tanks and Red Hill-related cleanup. DOH and the Board of Water Supply testified, and a long list of community and environmental groups supported the bill. Testifiers argued the Navy caused the problem and should be held accountable for cleanup, while one witness said the bill was necessary because the Navy had delayed meaningful remediation. Senators asked whether the bill’s “large landowner” language could include the state or counties under existing statutes; DOH said it would check and later explained that cleanup responsibility generally falls first on the responsible party, then on large landowners if no responsible party exists, with the Navy currently understood to own Red Hill. The hearing then moved to SB 2096 on wastewater management, which the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported, noting PFAS can harm marine resources, and DOH’s wastewater branch offered comments. SB 2127 on water pollution drew support from Agra Business Development Corporation and opposition from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others. The main debate centered on runoff, NPDES permitting, and whether the bill could unfairly affect agricultural and public entities; senators and witnesses discussed how heavy rainfall, cesspools, and mixed land uses complicate responsibility and compliance. The transcript ends with the committee still in discussion on SB 2127, with no final votes or actions shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee.
• President, Senator Chain, I have a committee... uh committee amendment.
• Committee...
• Committee amendment pending. Senator Committee amendment pending.
• We stand adjourned.

Bills: HJR 98 , HB 142 , HB 912 , HB 2525 , SCR 19 , SB 66 , SB 128 , SB 209 , SB 250 , SB 317 , SB 383 , SB 393 , SB 397 , SB 517 , SB 571 , SB 612 , SB 614 , SB 715 , SB 731 , SB 801 , SB 865 , SB 867 , SB 872 , SB 905 , SB 913 , SB 945 , SB 946 , SB 986 , SB 1013 , SB 1015 , SB 1071 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1113 , SB 1117 , SB 1181 , SB 1212 , SB 1241 , SB 1250 , SB 1263 , SB 1278 , SB 1285 , SB 1444 , SB 1483 , SB 1525 , SB 1528 , SB 1553 , SB 1556 , SB 1588 , SB 1660 , SB 1708 , SB 1802 , SB 1833 , SB 1844 , SB 1854 , SB 1957 , SB 1965 , SB 1999 , SB 2056 , SB 2082 , SB 2119 , SB 2133 , SB 2138 , SB 2203 , SB 2221 , SB 2337 , SB 2340 , SB 2373 , SB 2419 , SB 2422 , SB 2452 , SB 2477 , SB 2487 , SB 2501 , SB 2533 , SB 2586 , SB 2587 , SB 2615 , SB 2622 , SB 2633 , SB 2675 , SB 2681 , SB 2690 , SB 2713 , SB 2717 , SB 2753 , SB 2781 , SB 2782 , SB 2835 , SB 2841 , SB 2857 , SB 2891 , SB 2929 , SB 2933 , SB 2994 , SB 3016 , SJR 3 , SB 5 , SB 29 , SB 72 , SB 326 , SB 494 , SB 509 , SB 530 , SB 616 , SB 769 , SB 783 , SB 963 , SB 985 , SB 1143 , SB 1172 , SB 1238 , SB 1267 , SB 1271 , SB 1273 , SB 1506 , SB 1759 , SB 1786 , SB 1967 , SB 2312 , SB 2361 , SB 1 , SB 260 , SB 1506 , SB 1637 , HJR 98 , HJR 99 , HJR 2 , HJR 1 , HB 1109 , HB 1392 , HB 22 , HB 2525 , HB 3093 , HB 517 , HB 912 , HB 1130 , HB 142 , HB 1689 , HB 2018 , HB 136 , HB 2884 , HB 1393 , HB 2730 , HB 1399 , HB 1244 , HB 467 , HB 331 , HB 2559 , HB 29 , HB 26 , HB 166 , HB 353 , HB 2000 , HB 2756 , HB 3248 , HB 3513 , HB 3204 , HB 3135 , HB 3012 , HB 2763 , HB 2523 , HB 2457 , HB 2415 , HB 2198 , HB 2143 , HB 1708 , HB 1672 , HB 767 , HB 1327 , HB 2723 , HB 451 , HB 140 , HB 109 , HB 3096 , HCR 6 , HCR 12 , HCR 29 , HCR 50 , HCR 55 , HCR 56 , HCR 58 , HCR 70 , HCR 71 , HCR 74 , HCR 78 , HCR 80 , HCR 107 , HCR 116 , HCR 117 , SJR 36 , SJR 50 , SJR 63 , SJR 59 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SCR 48 , SCR 19 , SB 2023 , SB 1844 , SB 2533 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 847 , SB 284 , SB 854 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 1505 , SB 583 , SB 507 , SB 1434 , SB 1772 , SB 2016 , SB 1163 , SB 1122 , SB 731 , SB 397 , SB 508 , SB 1436 , SB 287 , SB 261 , SB 1882 , SB 393 , SB 1791 , SB 209 , SB 2429 , SB 1999 , SB 511 , SB 2309 , SB 510 , SB 1085 , SB 1975 , SB 2717 , SB 1262 , SB 636 , SB 2056 , SB 884 , SB 517 , SB 1200 , SB 1845 , SB 2681 , SB 2458 , SB 801 , SB 3014 , SB 3013 , SB 758 , SB 1013 , SB 2797 , SB 2076 , SB 2876 , SB 2929 , SB 715 , SB 1640 , SB 2538 , SB 1449 , SB 986 , SB 1181 , SB 1359 , SB 410 , SB 1234 , SB 2926 , SB 2138 , SB 2615 , SB 2972 , SB 2841 , SB 3016 , SB 1856 , SB 1528 , SB 1373 , SB 672 , SB 2891 , SB 1854 , SB 317 , SB 2539 , SB 2532 , SB 1250 , SB 2082 , SB 2203 , SB 1285 , SB 1454 , SB 2520 , SB 1237 , SB 1586 , SB 2819 , SB 629 , SB 2342 , SB 2903 , SB 2477 , SB 3029 , SB 1957 , SB 375 , SB 250 , SB 777 , SB 2367 , SB 2703 , SB 2608 , SB 2965 , SB 2521 , SB 865 , SB 2165 , SB 2501 , SB 2675 , SB 2452 , SB 2835 , SB 872 , SB 1212 , SB 1278 , SB 1588 , SB 1602 , SB 1704 , SB 1723 , SB 1833 , SB 1858 , SB 1946 , SB 2009 , SB 2177 , SB 2460 , SB 2785 , SB 2373 , SB 1660 , SB 614 , SB 867 , SB 1608 , SB 1525 , SB 905 , SB 640 , SB 2487 , SB 1698 , SB 383 , SB 705 , SB 748 , SB 1113 , SB 1117 , SB 1802 , SB 2340 , SB 2586 , SB 2680 , SB 2690 , SB 2994 , SB 2747 , SB 1950 , SB 913 , SB 1071 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1483 , SB 1444 , SB 1553 , SB 1556 , SB 1703 , SB 2133 , SB 2297 , SB 2298 , SB 2622 , SB 2955 , SB 3059 , SB 2782 , SB 2781 , SB 2637 , SB 2633 , SB 2337 , SB 2334 , SB 1861 , SB 2043 , SB 1367 , SB 946 , SB 945 , SB 2857 , SB 128 , SB 571 , SB 1263 , SB 3058 , SB 612 , SB 2221 , SB 2587 , SB 2044 , SB 2363 , SB 2713 , SB 2311 , SB 1986 , SB 2565 , SB 2943 , SB 1888 , SB 2417 , SB 3048 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3036 , SB 3057 , SB 3056 , SB 3043 , SB 3037 , SB 3050 , SB 3063 , SB 3047 , SB 3035 , SB 2446 , SB 466 , SB 2611 , SB 2794 , SB 2105 , SB 2017 , SB 1790 , SB 1778 , SB 1730 , SB 2995 , SB 2847 , SB 205 , SB 2619 , SB 1903 , SB 203 , SB 3061 , SB 1581 , SB 2600 , SB 2799 , SB 2790 , SB 2688 , SB 2515 , SB 1230 , SB 876 , SB 2522 , SB 2639 , SB 2137 , SB 2519 , SB 2403 , SB 2459 , SB 3051 , SB 2655 , SB 2251 , SB 2764 , SB 2878 , SB 1884 , SB 111 , SB 582 , SB 2617 , SB 1835 , SB 2751 , SB 2959 , SB 250 , SB 614 , SB 865 , SB 872 , SB 905 , SB 986 , SB 1113 , SB 1212 , SB 1278 , SB 1525 , SB 1588 , SB 1660 , SB 1802 , SB 1833 , SB 2487 , SB 2586 , SB 2675 , SB 2690 , SB 2929 , HB 912 , HB 2525 , SB 1844 , SB 2533 , SB 1957 , SB 1999 , SB 2138 , SB 2615 , SB 3016 , SR 469 , SB 29 , SB 326 , SB 494 , SB 530 , SB 769 , SB 783 , SB 1238 , SB 1967 , SB 2312 , SB 1506 , HJR 34 , HB 42 , HB 198 , HB 247 , HB 367 , HB 449 , HB 632 , HB 668 , HB 677 , HB 766 , HB 1105 , HB 1160 , HB 1169 , HB 1592 , HB 1778 , HB 1781 , HB 1868 , HB 2017 , HB 2038 , HB 2128 , HB 2240 , HB 2316 , HB 2510 , HB 2516 , HB 2563 , HB 2582 , HB 2663 , HB 2712 , HB 2715 , HB 2760 , HB 2788 , HB 3010 , HB 3069 , HB 3112 , HB 3120 , HB 3146 , HB 3157 , HB 3305 , HB 3348 , HB 3464 , HB 3474 , HB 3505 , HB 3512 , HB 3560 , HB 3597 , HB 3686 , HB 3783 , HB 3860 , HB 4063 , HB 4081 , HB 4214 , HB 4215 , HB 4224 , HB 4273 , HB 4325 , HB 4361 , HB 4386 , HB 4395 , HB 4665 , HB 4783 , HB 5032 , HB 5180 , HJR 34 , HB 42 , HB 198 , HB 247 , HB 367 , HB 449 , HB 632 , HB 668 , HB 677 , HB 766 , HB 1105 , HB 1160 , HB 1169 , HB 1592 , HB 1778 , HB 1781 , HB 1868 , HB 2017 , HB 2038 , HB 2128 , HB 2240 , HB 2316 , HB 2510 , HB 2516 , HB 2563 , HB 2582 , HB 2663 , HB 2712 , HB 2715 , HB 2760 , HB 2788 , HB 3010 , HB 3069 , HB 3112 , HB 3120 , HB 3146 , HB 3157 , HB 3305 , HB 3348 , HB 3464 , HB 3474 , HB 3505 , HB 3512 , HB 3560 , HB 3597 , HB 3686 , HB 3783 , HB 3860 , HB 4063 , HB 4081 , HB 4214 , HB 4215 , HB 4224 , HB 4273 , HB 4325 , HB 4361 , HB 4386 , HB 4395 , HB 4665 , HB 4783 , HB 5032 , HB 5180

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, without objection, these stand reviewed.
• Seeing none, this item stands for review. Seeing none, this item stands reviewed without objection.
• These are filed for committee information. Members, any questions?
• Without objection, this item stands reviewed. Takes us to reports.
• Any other business before the committee? Seeing none, this meeting stands adjourned.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to the committee.
• Committee. It's a sub.
• Members of the committee, J.D.
• We stand in support. Thank you. Good morning, Chair, members of the committee.
• With that, Madam Chair, members of the committee, we stand for questions. Thank you very much.

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Report of select committees. committees. committees.
• Report of standing committees. We have reports on the calendar, Mr. Speaker.
• adjournment today. a committee e of appropriation a five a committee e of appropriation a five minutes
• House stand adjourned 2 p.m. tomorrow. house stand adjoin until 2 p.m. house stand adjoin until 2 p.m
• House stand adjourn 2 p.m. have it. House stand adjourn 2 p.m. Tomorrow.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to stand... going to do about it. We cannot sit this one out. We have to stand up.
• Stand with the Constitution. Stand with the voters who put that provision out there.
• Did you stand on the side of power? Will you stand on the side of power?
• Or would you stand on the side of the people? I'm voting no, because I'm standing with the people.
• and should stand and does stand.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D / House Bill 1D, which would establish Florida’s congressional districts. The sponsor, Sen. Gates, explained that the Governor had transmitted a redistricting plan two days earlier and argued that mid-decade redistricting is legally permissible, citing population growth and the Governor’s view that race-based districting is unconstitutional. Much of the floor time was spent in extended questioning about the process, the lack of public hearings compared with prior redistricting cycles, the use of population estimates from the Census/EDR/ACS, compactness scores, and whether the Governor’s office used partisan data or outside consultants. Gates repeatedly said he was relaying the Governor’s proposal and legal theory rather than offering his own legal opinion, and he said any constitutional challenge would be for the courts. A major portion of the debate focused on the U.S. Supreme Court’s newly issued Calais decision and its implications for the Fair Districts Amendment and the Voting Rights Act. Senators questioned whether the decision struck down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, whether it affected Florida’s constitutional ban on partisan gerrymandering, and whether the Legislature should postpone action to review the ruling. A motion to temporarily postpone the bill failed by voice vote and then by recorded vote, 12 yeas to 23 nays. Senators also raised concerns that the proposed map cracked minority communities, including Latino and Black populations in Central Florida and Tampa Bay, and that it would produce a heavily Republican-leaning map despite the state’s voter registration mix. After debate on the Senate bill, the chamber substituted the identical House companion bill, read it a third time, and proceeded to final debate. Opponents argued the map was an illegal partisan gerrymander, was based on assumptions rather than verified data, and would likely lead to litigation. Supporters maintained that the Governor had authority to propose a congressional map, that the plan was race-neutral, and that the Legislature could accept, reject, or amend it. The transcript ends during continued debate on House Bill 1D, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to stand... Going to do about it. We cannot sit this one out. We have to stand up.
• Stand with the Constitution. Stand with the voters who put that provision out there.
• Did you stand on the side of power? Will you stand on the side of power?
• Or would you stand on the side of the people? I’m voting no, because I’m standing with the people.
• and should stand and does stand.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here for a joint committee hearing with the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection and
• the Committee on Water and Land.
• </c><00:11:26.640><c> Deputy</c> members of the committee. Deputy members of the committee.
• </c> to stand up to fossil fuels. Mahalo. to stand up to fossil fuels. Mahalo.
• We stand in and supporters statewide. We stand in strong<02:12:41.280><c> support.

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures. SB 1602 would appropriate funds to DLNR for monitoring wells for the Koho aquifer system; DLNR and HHFDC supported it, and written testimony from several organizations and individuals was also in support. Members asked whether monitoring wells are a statewide function rather than a county function, and staff confirmed they are done statewide. The second bill was an administration measure clarifying that criminal water pollution enforcement remains with the Department of Health rather than DLNR. The Attorney General’s office said it was a cleanup clarification and that DOH has stronger enforcement powers and better testing capability; DOH and DLNR supported it, and there was no opposition noted. The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1074 on environmental impact statements. The bill would let previously authorized or permitted commercial activities continue for up to one year while an agency determines whether environmental review applies after a challenge, and would allow permit renewals during that review. DLNR said it stood on written comments and suggested aligning the bill with similar House language. Supporters, including several ocean tourism and Maui business representatives, argued the bill would provide certainty and keep families and small operators working while environmental review is completed, especially in the wake of the Lahaina fires and ongoing business losses. Some supporters said the measure should be narrowed with a sunset or limited to recently renewed permits. Opponents, including the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could weaken HEPA/NEPA-style environmental review, especially for fisheries and other commercial activities. They said the bill could be used as a “Trojan horse” to avoid review and that DLNR could resolve the underlying disputes more quickly through settlement or existing exemption processes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Report of select committees. We have none, Mr. Speaker. Report of standing committees.
• </c> committees. We have none, Mr. Speaker. committees. We have none, Mr. Speaker.
• Report<00:04:20.959><c> of</c><00:04:21.079><c> standing</c><00:04:21.680><c> committees.
• Pages, if you would stand up.
• Stand, long term friend, David Dabbs. Stand, David. David. David.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> So could you just educate the committee So could you just educate the committee on<00:15:45.920>
• We stand in support of this bill.
• 10.480><c> written</c> department stands on it written department stands on it written testimony<00:20
• </c> stands on its written testimony. Mahalo. stands on its written testimony. Mahalo.
• that in the committee report.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 18, 2026, and heard four bills. HB 2519 would shift University of Hawaii funding toward block appropriations, a stabilization fund, limited procurement and fiscal exemptions, performance-based metrics, and annual reporting. UH supported the bill, saying line-item budgeting hampers systemwide efficiency across its 10 campuses; the State Procurement Office commented on the procurement exemption. The chair proposed amendments to address concerns from Budget and Finance and procurement, including capping UH’s retained funds at 10%, requiring lapse after three fiscal years, removing CIP-to-operating transfers, narrowing procurement exemptions while keeping Chapter 103B principles, shifting performance metric-setting to the Board of Regents, and requiring annual reporting. The committee then voted to pass HB 2519 with amendments. HB 2409 would establish the Hawaii Geological Survey in Hilo and designate its director as the state geologist. UH Hilo supported the concept but said it would need sufficient general-fund support, estimating roughly $200,000 to start. DLNR and the Attorney General offered comments, with the AG calling it a matter of statewide concern. The chair said the DNR testimony raised public safety concerns and that UH Hilo had not identified a firm funding amount, so the committee voted to defer the bill. HB 2141 HD1 concerned state enterprise zones and would expand eligible business activities and allow DBED to designate up to two areas as enterprise zones with gubernatorial approval. DBED, the Tax Foundation, and other organizations submitted support or comments. After discussion, the chair said the current version no longer fit the higher education committee’s focus and recommended reverting to the original bill, which would limit the zone to Kakaʻako Makai for a biomedical health innovation hub near JABSOM and the Queen’s Cancer Center, with a defective date. The committee voted to pass HB 2141 HD1 with amendments. HB 2233 HD1 would appropriate funds to continue the SNAP-Ed program through UH and the Department of Health. DOH supported the bill and said it had been working on nutrition education and environmental changes; it estimated about $600,000 each for DOH and SEAR, or $1.2 million total. Testimony in support also came from several organizations and individuals, including a senior advocate who described the program’s practical benefits. The chair said the committee would reflect the $600,000-per-entity estimate in its report, and the committee voted to pass HB 2233 HD1 as is before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Standing<00:05:43.640><c> Committee</c><00:05:43.920><c> Report</c><00:05:44.280><c> numbers</c><00:05
• :44.920><c> 3836</c> Standing Committee Report Nos. 3836 to 3840, for one-day notice. >> So ordered.
• Beginning on page 27, Standing Committee Report Nos. 3812 to 3835 on Governor's messages for adoption
• Standing Committee Report No. 3811 on Senate Resolution 25 for adoption. Senator Wakai. Mr.
• President, I move for the adoption of said Standing Committee Reports and Senate Resolutions.

Bills: HB20 , HB463 , HB469 , HB649 , HB963 , HB1163 , HB1334 , HB1481 , HB1509 , HB1511 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB1516 , HB1518 , HB1519 , HB1523 , HB1524 , HB1546 , HB1548 , HB1550 , HB1553 , HB1573 , HB1574 , HB1576 , HB1588 , HB1591 , HB1618 , HB1619 , HB1628 , HB1642 , HB1643 , HB1656 , HB1658 , HB1664 , HB1667 , HB1679 , HB1682 , HB1688 , HB1692 , HB1696 , HB1700 , HB1705 , HB1707 , HB1710 , HB1711 , HB1713 , HB1716 , HB1718 , HB1721 , HB1728 , HB1737 , HB1740 , HB1741 , HB1749 , HB1752 , HB1753 , HB1768 , HB1782 , HB1800 , HB1804 , HB1810 , HB1823 , HB1839 , HB1842 , HB1854 , HB1858 , HB1864 , HB1870 , HB1875 , HB1881 , HB1886 , HB1888 , HB1890 , HB1894 , HB1897 , HB1898 , HB1920 , HB1929 , HB1946 , HB1959 , HB1961 , HB1962 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2001 , HB2005 , HB2020 , HB2021 , HB2022 , HB2023 , HB2062 , HB2078 , HB2093 , HB2095 , HB2096 , HB2097 , HB2101 , HB2137 , HB2152 , HB2207 , HCR137 , HCR181