Transcript Highlights:

• support my hall individual and support support my hall individual and support on Zoom<00:15:19.360> Al
• 20.600> chair<00:15:21.040> Vice<00:15:21.279> chair<00:15:21.639> and Zoom Al
• guys chair Vice chair and Zoom Al guys chair Vice chair and members<00:15:22.040> of<00:15:22.160

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a wide range of housing-related bills. HB 295 on Hawaiian homelands drew support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and individual testifiers who described long waits for DHHL housing, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands offered comments noting that lowering the Native Hawaiian blood quantum from 50% to 25% would require multiple legal and federal review steps. The committee also heard testimony on several Hawaii Public Housing Authority measures, including HB 99, HB 1096, HB 1097, HB 1095, HB 1093, and HB 1094, which generally received agency support and little or no public opposition during the hearing. HB 1094 prompted questions about the handling and sale or donation of seized property, and the agency said it lacked capacity to manage that work directly and would need to consult the Attorney General on liability concerns. The committee then heard HB 1056 and HB 1467, both related to a proposed Hawaii Homes or housing resiliency program. DCCA, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported HB 1056, while the Attorney General requested clarification on fund language. The Insurance Commissioner said DCCA was willing to run the program and that strengthening homes would help keep insurance available in Hawaii. For HB 1467, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Climate Advisory Team also supported the measure, with the Attorney General raising concerns about delegation, the special fund, and extension authority. Testimony on both bills emphasized hurricane retrofits, with some witnesses urging harmonization of the two similar proposals and one witness warning that the bills could conflict with efforts to reduce building-code minimum standards. Other measures included HB 1013 on important agricultural lands, which received support from HHFDC, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT, the Agri-Business Development Corporation, and Purple Maiʻa Foundation, with some agencies offering comments. HB 1294 on agricultural workforce housing drew comments from the Attorney General, who said commissions may be established by law rather than by the department itself, along with support from OHA, a council member, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus. HB 89 on teacher housing received support from OHA and education groups, while the Attorney General said the bill may have constitutional issues and suggested amendments to set standards for voucher applications. HB 276 on condominiums and HB 528 on residential leases also drew support, with no testimony in opposition. HB 415 on public safety and fire sprinklers generated the most clear split in testimony: the State Fire Council, a fire department representative, and an individual supported the bill, arguing sprinklers improve safety and can prevent major losses, while BIA Hawaii, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, NAAP Hawaii, Gentry Holmes, and DR Horton Hawaii opposed it, saying the added cost would worsen housing affordability and that existing codes already address safety. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly closed each bill after testimony and questions, and the hearing moved through the agenda without recorded committee votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• contractor<00:21:15.120> so<00:21:15.440> he<00:21:15.600> can<00:21:16.240> ALS
• <00:21:16.600> he go to the contractor so he can ALS he go to the contractor so he can ALS

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee met on February 4, 2025, for decision making on previously heard measures, then later held hearings on additional bills. Early action focused on several measures that were amended and advanced, including SB 161 on state project exemptions from county permitting, which was heavily revised to allow programmatic or project-specific agreements with counties, require public reporting of exempted projects, and create a working group to study broader permitting and construction coordination issues. The committee also advanced SB 635 on energy efficiency with changes shifting survey leadership to the Hawaii State Energy Office, SB 700 on resilience hubs after narrowing it to focus on emergency-service-capable hubs and removing distributed energy language, SB 869 on community outreach boards with a technical amendment, SB 1081 on a legislative budget office by converting it to a feasibility study, SB 711 on gubernatorial appointments with a salary threshold change, SB 405 on neighborhood board agendas with a committee-report note about OIP concerns, SB 381 with privacy issues deferred to Judiciary, SB 2 as a two-year pilot for fruit tree planting in selected districts, SB 239 on disaster preparedness with sheltering revisions, and SB 998 as introduced with a cost estimate for site selection work. Several measures were deferred or not advanced, including SB 615, which was deferred indefinitely, SB 1132, which the chair said would be set aside in favor of another childcare bill, and SB 111, which was not taken up further because of confusion during an earlier hearing. During the later hearing portion, SB 1175 on procurement drew testimony from the State Procurement Office, which supported the bill but corrected its estimated database revision cost from $7,500 to $30,000; the Department of Transportation also appeared, while the General Contractors Association submitted opposition. Committee members questioned whether the past-performance database should include more detailed quality information and whether a one-year post-completion review would be useful, but no amendment was adopted at that time. SB 1587 on retainage received written support from the Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and no opposition in the room. SB 1543 on government accountability, which would require justification for outside consultants and cap consultant spending, drew opposition from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii, which argued it could slow procurement, reduce flexibility, and worsen delays given existing vacancies and limited in-house expertise. The Public First Law Center supported the related transparency bill discussed in the hearing, arguing it would close a loophole by making contractor-created records used in government functions subject to disclosure under UIPA, while the Attorney General’s office opposed it. The transcript ends with that testimony still underway, and no final vote is shown for the later hearing bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Someone would say, 'Well, Al Green, you may not come back to Congress if I don't come back.'
• <03:01:27.399> would<03:01:27.560> say<03:01:27.800> well<03:01:27.920> Al
• Al Green you<03:01:29.080> may<03:01:29.319> not<03:01:29.520> come<03:01:29.720
• Someone would say, but Al, don't you know that all lives matter?
• because they do someone would say but Al because they do someone would say but Al don't<03:05:09.640

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, February 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al Austin with the Machinists Council 57 in full support. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills, beginning with SB 1166 by Senator Arreguín, which would allow AC Transit and its employees to use the Public Employment Relations Board to resolve unfair labor practice charges instead of the courts. The author and union supporters said PERB would provide a faster, fairer, and more specialized process, while no opposition testified. The committee members expressed support, and SB 1166 was approved on a due pass motion and re-referred to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 1024, SB 1207, and SB 1444, which were moved on consent and placed on hold for absent members. Later, SB 1083 by Senator Perez was heard; it would refine last year’s school misconduct database law by adding an administrative law judge review process for classified employees, requiring stronger employer notification and record-sharing procedures, and extending vetting requirements to certain contracted workers. Supporters, including classified employees and labor groups, argued the bill adds due process and fairness while preserving student safety. Opponents, including school administrators, school districts, and liability organizations, argued it could create gaps in misconduct records, increase liability, and weaken protections for students. After discussion, the author said he was continuing to work with opponents on amendments and emphasized the bill’s goal of balancing due process with child safety, referencing his own experience with grooming as a student. SB 1083 was passed on a due pass motion and re-referred to the Committee on Education. The chair then announced that all bills had passed and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Al Austin with the Labor Council 57 in full support. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the AL bill, and the recommendation is to pass with amendments adopting the proposed comments

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard House Bill 1481, which would require cemeteries, crematories, funeral establishments, HSI facilities, and mortuaries to dispose of human remains within 60 days after a burial transit permit or related affidavit is issued. The Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association and several funeral-related entities supported the bill, and the association said it had already implemented consistent cremation authorization language regarding notice and consent for recycling metal implants, effective January 1. The committee later recommended HB 1481 be passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; the vice chair voted with reservations, saying the prior version with Department of Health rulemaking was stronger consumer protection. The committee also considered several resolutions. SCR 96 and SR 91, on a status update for implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, were recommended for passage with amendments adopting the PUC’s requested changes. SCR 172 and SR 163, seeking a comprehensive analysis of ways to reduce costs and financial risks while meeting state goals, drew support from the PUC and Energy Office with comments, and the committee recommended passage with amendments removing a disputed whereas clause. SCR 109 and SR 102, on studying expanded mail-order pharmacy use, drew mixed testimony: the Insurance Division and HMSA supported a study, while the Hawaii Pharmacist Association and others raised concerns about patient outcomes, rural access, and community pharmacy sustainability; the committee amended the resolutions to require broader agency cooperation and evaluation of community pharmacy impacts, then recommended passage. In additional decision-making, the committee deferred SCR 193 and SR 1802 on trust transparency due to no testimony. It recommended passage with amendments on several bills, including HB 1782 after clarifying terminology with the Attorney General’s Office, HB 1514 on workers’ compensation, HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure, HB 1643 on pharmacy, HB 1721 on housing, HB 1864 on insurance, HB 1946 on timeshare registration, and HB 2475 on labeling requirements. HB 350 on energy was deferred for more work. The committee also reconsidered HB 2101 on commercial aquarium collection and recommended passage as amended after hearing from supporters and noting concerns about enforcement and statewide consistency.

Transcript Highlights:

• have not<00:08:05.120> only<00:08:05.280> has<00:08:05.599> the<00:08:05.840> al

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Al, thank you, Mr. Chair, to inquire.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Assembly Member Al-Hawari. Members, let us now observe a moment of silence.

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call, with the clerk calling the roll and a quorum eventually declared present. The day began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by routine procedural actions: the previous day’s journal was dispensed with, committee reports were deemed read, and several motions were approved, including unanimous consent to allow specified members to speak on adjournments in memory and to let Assemblymember Ortega have guests in the rear of the chamber. The body also gave one-day notice to remove SB 25 from the inactive file. On the daily file, Assembly Bill 673 was read with amendments and the amendments were deemed adopted. Concurrent items 2 and 3, Governor’s vetoes in items 4 through 77, reconsideration items 79 through 81, and third-reading items 82 through 84 were passed and retained or continued as noted. No substantive floor debate occurred on legislation during the session, which was described as a very short session. Most of the meeting was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Members honored Monica Lynn Martinez Hayes, a Capitol scheduler and artist; Edwin Silva Brazil, a dairyman and community leader; Grand Master Deng Huiduk, a martial arts instructor and mentor; victims of a Stockton shooting, including four young people; and the victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Several members spoke about the fire victims by name and emphasized recovery, resilience, and the need to support affected communities. A moment of silence was observed, the names were ordered printed in the journal, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congressman Al Green, who we all know has been making good trouble, has been speaking truth to power,

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:56:13.440> and<00:56:13.599> and<00:56:13.839> certainly<00:56:14.160> al
• and and certainly al but let me<00:56:15.280> recognize<00:56:15.920> recognize<00:56:
• And also joining us in the gallery from the great and sovereign state of Mobile, Al County, the Alabama
• 58.960> Alabama<00:56:59.520> Iron<00:56:59.760> and<00:57:00.000> Steel Al
• County, uh the Alabama Iron and Steel Al County, uh the Alabama Iron and Steel Council,<00:57:01.200

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:27.680> Aling<00:10:28.160> just<00:10:28.480> uh<00:10:28.720> ask
• Aling just uh ask open up >> Thank you Mr.
• Aling just uh ask open up the<00:10:30.480> floor<00:10:30.720> for<00:10:30.959> one
• <00:10:35.440> Aling<00:10:35.760> at<00:10:35.920> this on.
• Aling at this on. Any questions for Mr. Aling at this time? time? time?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Al Fulcino, resident of Hollis, New Hampshire.
• reform that this bill presents will help improve and safeguard New Hampshire's electoral process. >> Al
• My name is Al Fulcino, resident of Hollis, New Hampshire.
• My name is Al Fulcino, resident of Hollis, New Hampshire.
• reform that this bill presents will help improve and safeguard New Hampshire's electoral process. >> Al

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Further questions, Dr. ... sorry, Senator Al?
• Further questions, Dr. ... sorry, Senator Al?
• Further questions, Dr. ... sorry, Senator Al?
• Further questions, Dr. ... sorry, Senator Al? Yes, yes, it is.
• Further questions, Dr. ... sorry, Senator Al?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The David Thomason ALS Research Grant—um, we got one-time money of $20 million to do a competitive grant
• to fund research in ALS.
• contract out to get experts to help do the review and competition for that process because we are not ALS
• 43:17.239> to<01:43:17.560> we<01:43:17.960> really<01:43:18.159> do you Al
• your testimony to we really do you Al your testimony to we really do appreciate<01:43:18.840> it<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And their ALE has been exhausted. Recovery after a disaster takes time.
• There are financing issues and insurance delays when ALE runs out.
• And their ALE has been exhausted.
• There are financing issues and insurance delays when ALE runs out.

Bills: HCR93, HCR14, HR85

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Al will take this one out.
• Senator<00:41:34.400> Al<00:41:34.800> will<00:41:34.960> take<00:41:35.119>
• <00:41:35.920> I Senator Al will take this one out. I Senator Al will take this one out.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• charge nurse in the Fairview intensive coronary care unit, where she receives training biannually in ALS
• receives training unit where she receives training bianually<00:54:10.160> in<00:54:10.400> ALS
• which<00:54:12.000> is<00:54:12.160> assisted<00:54:12.640> life bianually in ALS
• which is assisted life bianually in ALS which is assisted life support<00:54:13.359> training

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al. Thank you, Mr. Garcia. Any members voting? No. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.
• <01:48:50.639> Al. >> Thank you, Mr. Al. >> Thank you, Mr. Al.

Bills: SB2275, SB2390, SB2540, SB3142, SB2414, SB2340, SB2848

Keywords: Medicaid, disability, buy-in program, workers with disabilities, income eligibility, premium structure, biomarker testing, health insurance, medical coverage, state law, health maintenance organization, juvenile justice, youth penalties, minors, court fees, court costs, fines, surcharges, restitution, fee waiver

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to New Al this weekend. Go Tigers.
• we're<00:15:34.360> going<00:15:34.519> to<00:15:34.639> new<00:15:34.839> Al
• ><00:15:35.160> this<00:15:35.319> weekend<00:15:35.880> go we're going to new Al
• this weekend go we're going to new Al this weekend go Tigers<00:15:37.519> uh<00:15:38.160>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all