Transcript Highlights:

• This is the hearing of the Assembly Education Committee.
• One bill has been pulled from the hearing.
• I have had an opportunity to hear from Mr.
• I have had an opportunity to hear from Mr.
• hear from them.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard AB 84, a charter school accountability measure focused on non-classroom-based charter schools and fraud prevention. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to respond to the A3 charter fraud case and related scandals by strengthening audits, transparency, authorizer oversight, and funding determination rules, while ensuring public education dollars are used for public education. Supporters included FCMAT, CSEA, CTA, and CSBA, who argued the bill would improve oversight and protect taxpayers. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, Green Dot, many charter parents, educators, and charter operators, said the bill was too broad, would impose major new costs and bureaucracy on all charter schools, and could reduce options for families, especially those using flexible, homeschool, or special-needs charter programs. After extensive testimony and committee discussion, the bill passed on a 5-1 vote and was sent to Appropriations, with the item left open for additional votes. The committee then approved a consent calendar of 11 education bills, including AB 542, AB 563, AB 731, AB 753, AB 784, AB 964, AB 988, AB 1034, AB 1233, AB 1255, and AB 1381, all moving to Appropriations. The consent calendar passed unanimously. Later, the committee heard AB 1454, a literacy and reading instruction bill authored by Assembly Members Rubio and Revis. The bill would require the state to create professional development resources for evidence-based literacy instruction, update English language arts and English language development instructional materials, and revise administrator preparation standards to include literacy training. The authors and a broad coalition of supporters, including CTA, EdVoice, Families in Schools, Decoding Dyslexia, school administrators, and parent advocates, described the measure as a compromise aimed at improving reading outcomes and addressing California’s literacy crisis. There was no opposition testimony at the hearing, and members voiced strong support for the bill and its collaborative approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the members is having trouble hearing. Sure, thank you.
• It would probably take up several committee hearings if we were to hear each of them individually.
• </c><00:52:05.760><c> that</c> so basically what what I'm hearing that so basically what what I'm hearing
• </c><01:25:24.840><c> exactly</c> from prepare and prosper hear exactly from prepare and prosper hear
• I think we're hearing AG-related bills on Thursday.

Bills: HF2274 , HF1932

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: taxation, income tax, property tax, corporate tax, homestead credit, local government aid, tax credits, economic development, taxpayer assistance, tax credit outreach, tax preparation, free tax help, IRS, Department of Revenue, general fund appropriation, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, volunteer income tax assistance, VITA, low-income taxpayers

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you again for hearing this bill.
• Thank you so much for hearing it.
• Thank you so much for hearing it.
• Mahalo, thank you. is one of the things that we hear from is one of the things that we hear from all<
• I appreciate you're hearing me.

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• dress and decorum: I expect committee members to dress professionally, especially during public hearings
• I've scheduled some public hearings for next Tuesday.
• or after the public hearing.
• I ask that you ask all questions during a public hearing through the chairman.
• Next Tuesday we're starting public hearings. I scheduled, I believe, eight hearings.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you hear me?
• </c> hear that all the time. hear that all the time.
• </c> up because what we're hearing up because what we're hearing is<00:53:20.040><c> the</c><00:53:20.160
• Hearing none, all in Uh any discussion?
• </c> to hear to hear what's<01:13:21.080><c> happening</c><01:13:21.440><c> in</c><01:13:21.520><c> front

Bills: HF4094 , HF3390 , HF3813 , HF3583 , HF3751 , HF4324 , HF4789 , HF3596 , HF4033 , HF4424 , HF4053

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: Crosby, local sales tax, bonding authority, community projects, voter approval, Owatonna, use tax, special law, community center, municipal finance, capital project, sales and use tax, local option tax, city tax, public facility, general election, bond referendum, debt limit, levy limit, Minnesota local government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now? &gt;&gt; Perfect. &gt;&gt; Perfect.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Can you hear me now? &gt;&gt; Can you hear me now?
• Can you guys hear me? >> Yeah, we can hear you. >> All right.
• </c> guys hear me? All right. guys hear me? All right.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Yeah, we can hear you. &gt;&gt; Yeah, we can hear you.

Bills: SF0099 , SF0116 , SJ0006

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: easement, electricity delivery, public utility, prescriptive easement, landowner rights, surface water, drainage utilities, municipality, elections, environmental management, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, measure or in opposition? Hearing none, measure is<00:19:56.880><c> adopted.
• We can't hear you. Can you check your mic, please? >> Can you hear me now, sir?
• We can't hear you. Can you check &gt;&gt; Cindy. We can't hear you.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Can you hear me now, sir? &gt;&gt; Can you hear me now, sir?
• Hearing none, measure is objections? Hearing none, measure is adopted. adopted. adopted.

Bills: SB2045 , SB2354

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: combat sports, boxing, mixed martial arts, health regulations, safety standards, licensing, event regulation, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 2071 on rent-to-own housing. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and Hawaii Realtors, but Sierra Club of Hawaii and others opposed the bill unless it was amended to exclude ceded lands from the 99-year lease provision. Members discussed the scope of ceded versus non-ceded lands and whether an inventory exists. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including HHFDC’s proposal to make the fixed-price period flexible by tying it to an option period and Sierra Club’s language limiting the program to non-ceded state or county land. They then heard SB 2191 on limited profit housing associations. HHFDC supported the measure, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Office of the Auditor urged caution about tax exclusions and asked for clearer, more targeted limits and measurable outcomes. The committees adopted amendments to add a statement of purpose, include measurable metrics, apply the tax provisions to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and delay the effective date to allow for administrative changes. SB 2191 was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also considered SB 2197, which would have replaced the five-year fixed-price period in rent-to-own housing with an option period set by HHFDC, but deferred it indefinitely because its issues were addressed in SB 2071. SB 2180 on deposits of public funds drew comments from the Hawaii Bankers Association questioning definitions and noting banks are already subject to Community Reinvestment Act requirements; decision-making was deferred to the next day in the CPN committee and to a later date for the housing committee. Finally, SB 2210 on housing discrimination received support from disability advocates and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, which asked for one additional investigator; the committees passed it with amendments adding a blank appropriation for one full-time position and planned to notify Ways and Means for possible re-referral.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for hearing House File 1366.
• Hearing none. All in favor discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say<00:18:46.799><c> I.
• So, just was refreshing to hear that.
• Um, you'll hear from my in the state.
• </c> Um, but you'll also hear their concerns. Um, but you'll also hear their concerns.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• While chair for hearing this bill today.
• Um, this is the first I'm hearing of that.
• So, um, it if it when hearing of that.
• Thank you, Senator having this hearing.
• Thank thank you for hearing the bill.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're hearing that everywhere, and you know what we hear a lot is that those choices really aren't as
• But to hear from actual homeowners, to hear what experiences they had, what challenges and difficulties
• from actual homeowners to um but to hear from actual homeowners to hear<00:29:42.799><c> what</c><00
• We hear the conversations on the ground, we hear the stories, we hear a lot of pieces, but we really
• We hear the conversations on the ground, we hear the stories, we hear a lot of pieces, but we really

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, do I hear a motion for a favorable report?
• Hearing none, these are approved in mass. Now moving on to the Alabama workforce.
• Do I hear a motion to approve Mr. Brandon to the Alabama Workforce?
• Hearing none, do I hear a motion? Senator Williams moves, seconded by Senator Smitherman.
• Hearing none, they are approved. Thank you all. None. They are approved.

Committee: Senate Confirmations

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are hearing it today again.
• I hear concerns about what's the content of it. I see, I hear from your testimony.
• Chalk, can you hear me? I can hear you. Okay. Can you speak up?
• </c> &gt;&gt; can you hear me? &gt;&gt; can you hear me?
• </c> &gt;&gt; I can hear you. &gt;&gt; I can hear you.

Bills: HB1769

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: criminal justice reform, rehabilitation, private prisons, racial equity, Native Hawaiians, community well-being, mass incarceration, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1769, which would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally reduce the number of people incarcerated in private out-of-state correctional institutions. The DCR director opposed the bill, saying the department does not control overall prison population levels because courts determine admissions, and arguing that Hawaiʻi’s in-state facilities are already over capacity, especially Halawa, which he said is 165% over design capacity. He said only a small portion of the population is under departmental control through furlough programs and argued that bringing people home would require building a new medium-security prison. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Public Defender’s office, and several individuals, argued the bill creates a phased, accountable path to reduce reliance on mainland prisons and bring people home. Supporters emphasized the harms of separating incarcerated people from ʻohana and culture, the disproportionate impact on Native Hawaiians, and the need for diversion, treatment, re-entry support, and fair sentencing. Several testifiers also said the department has more control than it claimed, pointing to underused furlough options, reclassification, and empty beds at some in-state facilities, while others urged clearer statutory language and guardrails. Members questioned the director about whether people could be reclassified or moved to available beds at facilities such as Kulani and Waiawa, and about whether the department could do more through staffing and contract changes. The director said some proposals had been sent to the Department of Human Resource Development, but that major facility changes would be costly and that minimum-security facilities would need substantial upgrades to house medium-security inmates. After discussion, the chair said the committee would defer HB 1769 to Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for decision-making and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did I hear you say that? Yes, that's my understanding.
• So I hear your concern, and maybe Dr.
• But too many patients never even hear about them.
• Chair hears none. The substitute is adopted.
• And I've been hearing about licenses all day.

Bills: HB3772 , HB1656 , HB4504 , HB1896 , HB4420 , HB4421 , HB4076 , HB3708 , HB2806 , HB3540 , HB1586 , HB5459 , HB4553 , HB4535 , HB3811 , HB3749 , HB4255 , HB4051 , HB5098 , HB3554 , HB4539 , HB5274

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> members and your willingness to hear members and your willingness to hear house<00:09:30.480><c>
• </c><00:43:10.720><c> none</c> file 2055 seeing none and hearing none file 2055 seeing none and hearing
• Chair, members, for hearing the bill.
• Chair, members, for hearing the bill.
• Um, members, for hearing the bill.

Bills: HF1262 , HF1741 , HF472 , HF1668 , HF2055 , HF1786 , HF1876 , HF1089 , HF1121 , HF509 , HF1545 , HF2027 , HF642

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: food truck, liquor license, temporary license, community events, catering, municipal regulations, food hall, St. Louis Park, on-sale, intoxicating beverages, food vendors, common seating area, HF472, Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato, MSU Mankato, Taylor Center, special liquor license, on-sale wine license, malt liquor license

Transcript Highlights:

• We really do value hearing from you.
• You’re going to hear people talking about statutory operating debt.
• I hear a lot about report cards.
• </c> we can't do it you're going to hear we can't do it you're going to hear people<00:19:06.559><c>
• Our next hearing will be Tuesday, January 28th at 3 p.m.

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing<00:14:21.120><c> none.
• Hearing none testify on House Bill 2345? Hearing none members<00:56:12.480><c> questions.
• Uh hearing none. Members, this measure? Uh hearing none.
• Um any discussion hearing? if needed. Um any discussion hearing?
• </c><01:55:03.760><c> Hearing</c> Any comments? Any discussion? Hearing Any comments?

Bills: HB1559 , HB2012 , HB2297 , HB2122 , HB2345 , HB2398 , HB2534 , HB2621

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: telecommunication devices, student use, public schools, student engagement, educational outcomes, confiscation policy, mental health, statewide policy, community literacy, education, Title I funding, reading proficiency, underserved communities, family engagement, tutoring, literacy support, adult education, community education, literacy programs, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> today's</c> hear, and understand today's hear, and understand today's proceedings,<00:04:23.440>
• Verbal outbursts, the hearing room.
• Our goal is to conduct hearing room.
• </c> just want to say uh very happy to hear just want to say uh very happy to hear that<00:40:27.680>
• I did not<02:07:17.520><c> hear</c><02:07:17.760><c> that.</c> not hear that. not hear that.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, to hearing some overview from our partners at DEED and, uh, Department of Labor.
• Love to hear that too. And, uh, welcome everybody. So, uh, Representative, go ahead.
• </c><00:10:07.760><c> a</c> of changes we're going to be hearing a of changes we're going to be hearing
• </c><01:11:11.360><c> this</c> well around the committee hearings this well around the committee hearings
• I'm glad to hear that a lot of that gap has been closed, and I guess I didn't hear from you a big need

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the chief hearings examiner for the Department of Safety, Bureau of Hearings, and let Sergeant Ventar
• Seeing none, we'll end the hearing.
• Seeing none, we'll end the hearing.
• </c> about came up there in public hearing about came up there in public hearing would<01:47:27.599><
• </c> anecdotal evidence but it's what I hear anecdotal evidence but it's what I hear from<01:59:00.119

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone here today must be hearing.
• </c> hearing room or at the testifiers table. hearing room or at the testifiers table.
• </c> decorum in the committee hearing room. decorum in the committee hearing room.
• Um, that is amazing to hear.
• That's very helpful to hear.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all