Transcript Highlights:

• You will hear about challenges and barriers, but how we have prevailed.
• challenges and barriers, but how<07:58:37.840><c> we</c><07:58:38.320><c> have</c><07:58:39.040><c> prevailed
• </c><07:58:40.240><c> When</c><07:58:40.478><c> I</c><07:58:40.638><c> think</c> how we have prevailed
• When I think how we have prevailed.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• particular case this is something that is, this individual liberty is something where in this case it prevails
• liberty is something where in this case liberty is something where in this case it<04:45:34.718><c> prevails
• </c><04:45:35.200><c> However,</c><04:45:35.600><c> in</c><04:45:35.840><c> other</c> it prevails.
• However, in other it prevails.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a radical departure from the prevailing rule in American jurisdictions.
• this is a radical departure<00:33:59.880><c> from</c><00:34:00.320><c> the</c><00:34:00.519><c> prevailing
• </c><00:34:01.000><c> rule</c><00:34:01.840><c> in</c> departure from the prevailing rule in departure
• from the prevailing rule in American<00:34:02.480><c> jurisdictions</c><00:34:03.200><c> for</c><00:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He asked that the wisdom of the committee prevail and determine the bill as expedient to legislate.
• matter we ask that the wisdom of this matter we ask that the wisdom of this committee<01:10:04.920><c> Prevail
• </c><01:10:05.840><c> and</c><01:10:06.120><c> determine</c><01:10:07.120><c> this</c> committee Prevail
• and determine this committee Prevail and determine this bill<01:10:07.679><c> as</c><01:10:07.880><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education to require objective, science-based evidence for pedagogical methods. The prime sponsor said the bill is a verbatim reintroduction from the prior session and argued that current federal definitions are too vague, allowing subjective surveys and other weak evidence to justify teaching methods. He said the bill is limited to pedagogy, not subject matter, and is intended to improve student outcomes, reduce fad-driven practices, and potentially save money by limiting unnecessary retraining and new materials. Members asked repeatedly about the bill’s scope, including whether it would affect classroom teachers, curriculum content, and existing instructional approaches such as phonics versus whole language or queuing. The sponsor said the bill applies to state and local education bodies and educator training policies, not individual teachers in their classrooms, and that teachers would retain flexibility. He also said standardized testing could be part of a scientific study but is not itself a study, and that textbook providers could be asked to furnish the studies supporting instructional guidance included in their materials. Several members raised concerns about the fiscal note and possible cost shifts to local districts and taxpayers. The sponsor disputed the idea that the bill would necessarily create major new costs or require additional staff, saying any costs would likely be limited and that the department is already applying federal evidence-based rules. He also said if some current methods are not science-based, updating them would be justified even if there were some initial expense. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Bills: SB2138 , SB2054 , SB2987 , SB2908 , SB2702 , SB2924 , SB3248 , SB2635 , SB3127 , SB3001 , SB2294 , SB2037 , SB2797 , SB2765 , SB2961 , SB2210 , SB2948 , SB3108 , SB3240 , SB2045 , SB2675 , SB2338 , SB2451 , SB2552 , SB2553 , SB3089 , SB3176 , SB3285 , SB2234 , SB2219 , SB2312 , SB2336 , SB2343 , SB2849 , SB2928 , SB2930 , SB3332 , SB2927 , SB2983 , SB2906 , SB2353 , SB2848 , SB2340 , SB2845 , SB3246 , SB3077 , SB3254 , SB2934 , SB2571 , SB2248 , SB2471 , SB2298 , SB2413 , SB2425 , SB3045 , SB2843 , SB2595 , SB2907 , SB3204 , SB2311 , SB2532 , SB2528 , SB2313 , SB3300 , SB2530 , SB2693 , SB2010 , SB3156 , SB2697 , SB2991 , SB3153 , SB2812 , SB2527 , SB2376 , SB3081 , SB3218 , SB3219 , SB3333 , SB2232 , SB2192 , SB2378 , SB2070 , SB3011 , SB2676 , SB2957 , SB2434 , SB2673 , SB3301 , SB2247 , SB2453 , SB2457 , SB2075 , SB2811 , SB2601 , SB2258 , SB2612 , SB3263 , SB3261 , SB3334 , SB2613

Keywords: SB2138, Hawaii National Guard, state tuition assistance, STAP, graduate degree, graduate education, tuition assistance, University of Hawaii, UH, Department of Defense, adjutant general, enlisted personnel, warrant officers, company grade officers, military education, veterans benefits, higher education, state residency, professional development, retention

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our own minimum wage laws as we're all aware of. We have child labor regulations.
• We have our own minimum wage laws as we're all aware of. We have child labor regulations.
• We have our own minimum wage laws as we're all aware of. We have child labor regulations.
• We have our own minimum wage laws as we're all aware of. We have child labor regulations.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment two strikes the labor and wage provisions from the bill. There is no fiscal impact.
• </c><00:57:18.360><c> the</c><00:57:18.440><c> labor</c><00:57:18.720><c> and</c><00:57:18.840><c> wage
• </c> Amendment two strikes the labor and wage Amendment two strikes the labor and wage provisions<00:

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• another person, that person would recover their attorney fees and any expenses as well as their lost wages
• </c><03:34:47.760><c> as</c><03:34:48.160><c> their</c><03:34:49.040><c> lost</c><03:34:49.439><c> wages
• </c> expenses as well as their lost wages. expenses as well as their lost wages.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Generous leave times of 6 to 12 months and wages have been awarded an entire generation of Europeans.
• </c><02:03:05.520><c> 12</c><02:03:05.760><c> months</c><02:03:06.159><c> and</c><02:03:06.400><c> wages
• </c><02:03:06.880><c> have</c><02:03:07.119><c> been</c> of 6 to 12 months and wages have been of 6 to
• 12 months and wages have been awarded<02:03:08.000><c> an</c><02:03:08.320><c> entire</c><02:03:08.880

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• brighter than ever with the economic policies of the One Big Beautiful Bill to lower costs, increase wages
• brighter than ever with the economic policies of the One Big Beautiful Bill to lower costs, increase wages
• brighter than ever with the economic policies of the One Big Beautiful Bill to lower costs, increase wages
• brighter than ever with the economic policies of the One Big Beautiful Bill to lower costs, increase wages

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, wage inflation in those spaces in the United States has been significantly higher than what you know
• technologies<01:47:04.880><c> the</c><01:47:05.600><c> uh</c><01:47:06.239><c> uh</c><01:47:06.400><c> wage
• </c><01:47:06.800><c> inflation</c><01:47:07.199><c> in</c> technologies the uh uh wage inflation in
• technologies the uh uh wage inflation in those<01:47:07.679><c> spaces</c><01:47:08.080><c> in</c><01

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, would you like uh represent R I just want to wage my opposition to this.
• represent R I just So, would you like uh represent R I just want<00:16:38.079><c> to</c><00:16:38.480><c> wage
• </c><00:16:40.560><c> I</c> want to wage my opposition to this.
• I want to wage my opposition to this.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Marriott Hotel Services, the Supreme Court of Hawaii validated a bill relating to wages and tips of employees
• of Hawaii validated a bill<02:07:40.520><c> relating</c><02:07:40.840><c> to</c><02:07:41.040><c> wages
• </c><02:07:41.559><c> and</c><02:07:41.880><c> tips</c><02:07:42.480><c> of</c> bill relating to wages
• and tips of bill relating to wages and tips of employees<02:07:43.159><c> in</c><02:07:43.280><c> the

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 1324, which would require the Judiciary to contract for legal services for residential tenants in landlord-tenant disputes and allow attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide those services, with an appropriation. The Department of the Attorney General recommended removing reference to Hawaii Public Housing Authority tenants because HPHA eviction proceedings are administrative and could conflict with the bill. Hawaii Appleseed and other testifiers strongly supported the measure, citing studies showing much higher tenant retention when counsel is available, and suggested adding notice of the right to counsel at key points such as rent increases, eviction notices, and lease signing. The committee adopted amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested change and a technical amendment, and passed the bill out with a recommendation to move it forward; members voted aye, with one member voting with reservations and several excused. The committee then heard House Bill 126 on property forfeiture, which would increase transparency and accountability in civil asset forfeiture by clarifying covered property, changing disposition rules, and removing language requiring liberal construction of the forfeiture act. The Attorney General said forfeiture remains an important law enforcement tool and that the bill would not impair its use. The Office of the Public Defender supported the measure but argued civil forfeiture is broadly problematic because many people cannot meaningfully challenge it and are not entitled to counsel. Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, saying forfeiture is useful in fighting illegal activity and that added procedures would delay enforcement and reduce operational funding from forfeiture proceeds. Community Alliance on Prisons, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and other supporters urged reform or abolition of civil forfeiture, citing transparency concerns and the risk of abuse. No vote on HB 126 was taken in the portion provided. The final measure discussed was House Bill 166, which would require the state to defend professionally licensed or certified state employees in certain civil actions, allow employees to hire their own counsel at their own expense, and set a process for the Attorney General to transfer or withdraw representation if the state declines to defend. Testimony from the Hawaii Association for Justice and labor representatives was in strong support, describing the bill as a negotiated clarification that balances employee protections with accountability and noting it had passed previously but died in conference. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on HB 166.

Transcript Highlights:

• from our friends in yellow here that they're dealing with burnout, stress, moral issues, and besides wages
• from our friends in yellow here that they're dealing with burnout, stress, moral issues, and besides wages
• from our friends in yellow here that they're dealing with burnout, stress, moral issues, and besides wages
• So I do have to say that, you know, we definitely are competitive with our wages.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committees on Health and Labor heard testimony on HB 1244, a measure relating to labor standards at health care facilities and nursing staff ratios. Committee members opened by explaining hearing procedures, including a suggested two-minute testimony limit and Zoom rules. The bill drew extensive testimony from hospitals, nursing organizations, unions, and individual nurses, with the central debate focusing on whether staffing ratios should be set by statute or left to collective bargaining and unit-level staffing decisions. Opponents included the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Straub Benioff Medical Center, Hawaii Pacific Health, Kapiolani Medical Center, and Queen’s Health Systems. They argued that fixed ratios are too rigid for the changing conditions of hospital care, could worsen workforce shortages, and should be handled through labor negotiations, staffing committees, and existing agreements. Several also pointed to investments in nursing education, loan repayment, and workforce development as better solutions. Queen’s said it had recently reached an agreement with nurses after more than 40 meetings that included a staffing framework, and Kapiolani and others emphasized the need for flexibility in emergencies and specialty care. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Pride at Work Hawaii, the Hawaii Nurses Association/American Nurses Association chapter, Hawaii Nurses Association Local 50, UNAC/UHCP, and individual nurses, said unsafe staffing levels contribute to burnout, turnover, errors, and patient harm. Testifiers described chronic short staffing, emotionally and physically exhausting workloads, and situations in which nurses were responsible for too many patients at once. Supporters argued that safe ratios are necessary to protect both patients and nurses, and that collective bargaining has not been enough to ensure safe conditions statewide, especially in facilities without unions. No vote or final committee action was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, CMS directs dates to factor Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data when rate setting.
• The current CFI rate would not support paying the Bureau of Labor Statistics wage.
• The current CFI rate would not support paying the Bureau of Labor Statistics wage.
• The current CFI rate would not support paying the Bureau of Labor Statistics wage.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If a plaintiff prevails, the fees are mandatory.
• If the defendant prevails, the fees are only paid if the claim is found to be frivolous.
• If a plaintiff prevails, the fees are mandatory.
• If the defendant prevails, the fees are only paid if the claim is found to be frivolous.
• If a plaintiff prevails, the fees are mandatory.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But after 25 years of underfunding by the state of Minnesota, our wages and benefits have not kept up
• When bargaining, the district comes to the table and says, "This is your budget, wages or health insurance
• Not everyone takes the insurance, but everyone takes the wages.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• page, when clients make errors, they forget to inform us if they have a change in employment, minimum wage
• page, when clients make errors, they forget to inform us if they have a change in employment, minimum wage
• page, when clients make errors, they forget to inform us if they have a change in employment, minimum wage

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, 54 million would allow us to get people off a DD waiver list and pay those providers a better wage
• Well, 54 million would allow us to get people off a DD waiver list and pay those providers a better wage
• Well, 54 million would allow us to get people off a DD waiver list and pay those providers a better wage

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:52:24.480><c> I'm</c><00:52:24.800><c> willing</c><00:52:25.040><c> to</c><00:52:25.200><c> wage
• </c> So, but I'm willing to wage that battle. So, but I'm willing to wage that battle.

Keywords: 1183, house