Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:06.240><c> Uh</c><00:02:06.479><c> we</c><00:02:06.640><c> are</c><00:02:06.799><c> still<
• </c><00:02:08.879><c> So</c><00:02:08.959><c> if</c><00:02:09.119><c> it's</c> Finn and Wam release.
• So if it's agreeable<00:02:09.679><c> to</c><00:02:09.759><c> you,</c><00:02:10.000><c> Senator,</c><
• :02:12.160><c> 3:30</c><00:02:12.640><c> in</c><00:02:12.879><c> room</c><00:02:13.200><c> 016.
• </c><00:02:15.440><c> Um</c><00:02:15.680><c> seeing</c><00:02:16.000><c> no</c><00:02:16.160><c> further

Summary: The joint House and Senate conference committee met on April 25 to consider several bills, mostly related to housing, transportation, school impact fees, and housing finance programs. HB 1294 HD2 SD1, relating to agricultural workforce housing, was deferred because final release was not yet available. HB 286 HD2 SD1, relating to the individual housing account program, was agreed to but also rolled over to a later 3:30 p.m. meeting pending final release. The committee then took up HB 1298 HD3 SD1, relating to housing, and HB 422 HD1 SD2, relating to school impact fees. HB 1298 was agreed to but postponed to later in the day pending final release. HB 422 was described as repealing the construction cost component of school impact fees, exempting government housing, affordable housing, and Hawaiian homeland housing from those fees, and requiring School Facilities Authority rules and a report to the legislature; the committee approved a CD1 with mostly technical amendments by unanimous vote, with one Senate member excused. Later, the committee reviewed additional measures including SB 662 on transportation, HB 1409 on transit-oriented development, SB 26 on affordable housing, HB 740 on housing, HB 432 on the rental housing revolving fund, SB 1229 on the dwelling unit revolving fund, and SB 944 on the low-income housing tax credit. Most of these bills had agreement on a CD1 or draft agreement but were deferred or rolled over to 3:30 p.m. in Room 16 because WAM, final, or web releases were still pending; HB 740 had no agreement yet, while HB 432 was said to need revisions. The meeting adjourned after scheduling the remaining items for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also find that NDSU is the number one state of choice for students in Minnesota, which is really
• You know, if you look at Minnesota today, nearly half of our student body here comes from Minnesota,
• optimization tool that we're working on right now: a student here at NDSU, Lewis Gaten, is from Glendon, Minnesota
• Forty-six percent of our Minnesota graduates accept their first job in North Dakota.
• Forty-six percent of our Minnesota graduates accept their first job in North Dakota.

Summary: The committee met at NDSU and approved the April 9 minutes. The main purpose of the meeting was an informational presentation from NDSU President David Stewart and university leaders on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research, commercialization, and use of New Horizons funding. Stewart emphasized a “One NDSU” approach, thanked legislators for past support, and said the university will focus on recruitment and retention, a new strategic plan, and growing research and tech transfer while serving North Dakota’s workforce needs. University leaders said NDSU is using tuition waivers more strategically and will work to reduce them over time through scholarship optimization. Provost Sherry Vale described academic portfolio reviews, program closures or consolidations, strategic hiring, and workload policies aimed at aligning resources with demand. They also highlighted student outcomes, including high completion rates, strong employment placement, and NDSU’s role in producing a large share of the state’s engineers, nurses, and agriculture graduates. Several students testified about how NDSU’s mentoring, internships, research, and support services helped them succeed. The committee also heard from partners on New Horizons-related collaborations: Gateway to Science described K-12 STEM outreach in rural and tribal areas, and Sanford Research discussed joint research efforts, including COBRE-related work, obesity and GLP-1 studies, and a joint biostatistics hire. Later speakers highlighted Governor’s School and NDSU’s research and commercialization efforts, including growth in research expenditures and invention disclosures. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• :21.560><c> the</c><00:02:21.680><c> motion</c><00:02:22.200><c> it's</c><00:02:22.360><c> been</c><00
• it's been moved and seconded<00:02:23.599><c> is</c><00:02:23.720><c> there</c><00:02:24.000><c> any
• is there any discussion any objections<00:02:26.280><c> hearing</c><00:02:26.680><c> none</c><00:02:
• numbers<00:02:30.879><c> 2</c><00:02:31.239><c> through</c><00:02:31.440><c> 7</c><00:02:31.760><c>
• clerk referrals<00:02:36.599><c> and</c><00:02:36.879><c> re-referrals</c><00:02:37.879><c> referrals

Transcript Highlights:

• and Wai<00:02:08.280><c> appreciate</c><00:02:08.800><c> your</c><00:02:09.440><c> your</c><00:02:09.679
• ><c> want</c><00:02:17.280><c> to</c><00:02:17.879><c> share</c><00:02:18.560><c> that</c><00:02:18.720
• uh</c><00:02:26.239><c> with</c><00:02:26.400><c> them</c><00:02:26.560><c> for</c><00:02:26.800><c>
• <c> especially</c><00:02:28.800><c> you</c><00:02:28.920><c> know</c><00:02:29.080><c> with</c><00:02
• 00:02:50.200><c> so</c><00:02:50.400><c> I</c><00:02:50.480><c> guess</c><00:02:50.640><c> to</c><00:

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The joint hearing focused primarily on Senate Bill 1409, which would cap county user fees charged to Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the measure, arguing it would reduce monthly housing-related costs for lower-income beneficiaries and help make homesteading more affordable. Several testifiers, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and some individuals, also submitted comments or support. County and city water and sewer agencies, including the County of Kauai Department of Water, the City and County of Honolulu Department of Facility Maintenance, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, and the City and County Department of Environmental Services, strongly opposed the bill, saying it would shift substantial costs to other ratepayers, create lost revenue, and could force fee increases for everyone else. They also raised concerns about the bill’s cap structure and potential misuse, while noting their systems are funded by user fees rather than taxes. During committee discussion, Honolulu Board of Water Supply officials estimated about 4,500 DHHL customers on Oʻahu and projected lost revenue of roughly $30 million to $36 million over five years, with larger cumulative impacts over time; they said any waiver would be absorbed by other customers. The County of Hawaiʻi representative estimated nearly 2,000 DHHL customers on the Big Island and about $2.4 million in annual lost revenue. DHHL responded that it is pursuing revenue-generating projects on unused lands, but members questioned whether the department should do more to generate its own revenue and suggested looking at other affordability mechanisms, including market rent on commercial properties or a similar cap on other beneficiary fees. After hearing the testimony and discussion, the committee chair announced the recommendation to defer SB 1409 indefinitely, and the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs agreed with that decision. The hearing then moved to Senate Bill 1408, a housekeeping measure. DHHL testified in support, saying the bill was part of an effort to lower housing costs through a modular manufacturing approach. DHHL described plans to use an unused hangar at Kalaeloa for a potential modular housing manufacturing plant, including discussions with the University of Hawaiʻi and a Denver-based company, and said it was also exploring a pilot project with Habitat for Humanity on Maui. No vote or final action on SB 1408 was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:22.640><c> on</c><00:02:22.800><c> our</c><00:02:23.040><c> 12:02</c> Arts, and Ways and Means on
• our 12:02 Arts, and Ways and Means on our 12:02 p.m.<00:02:23.760><c> agenda</c><00:02:24.160><c> on<
• /c><00:02:24.400><c> SB</c><00:02:24.879><c> 2001</c><00:02:25.440><c> relating</c><00:02:25.760><c>
• &gt;&gt; Uh<00:02:28.879><c> chairs</c><00:02:29.200><c> have</c><00:02:29.280><c> been</c><00:02:29.360
• Recommendation<00:02:30.160><c> on</c><00:02:30.319><c> this</c><00:02:30.480><c> is</c><00:02:30.640

Summary: The committees took up several measures, with most action focused on SB 3125 relating to income tax changes. The chair explained a proposed SD1 that would preserve standard deduction increases and keep tax relief for working- and middle-class households while removing future bracket adjustments for higher-income filers. The Department of Taxation estimated roughly a $122 million gain from the bracket changes, about a $600 million loss from extending certain credits, and about $145 million in claimed credits under the repeal provisions, for a rough net gain of about $250 million. Testimony was mixed: the Governor’s office and DOTAX supported the intent with technical corrections; the Hawaii State Energy Office and several advocates supported the revenue approach; while Grassroots Institute and others opposed rolling back promised tax relief. Renewable energy and solar representatives opposed repeal of credits affecting their industries, and nonprofit witnesses urged preserving state capacity to fund housing, education, food security, and other services. The chair recommended adoption of the proposed SD1 with additional amendments, and the recommendation was adopted with reservations noted by some members. The committees also acted on SB 3169 relating to coastal resilience, SB 2001 relating to the Banyan Drive Community Development District, and SB 3334 concerning deputy superintendent positions. SB 3169 was amended to incorporate Oceanit’s recommendation regarding native burrow sites, make technical changes, and delay the effective and repeal dates; the recommendation passed. SB 2001 was recommended to pass with HCDA amendments, a July 1, 2050 effective date, and additional technical changes, with the committee report to note continued desire for community engagement from descendants; one member expressed concern that lineal descendants should have a more direct role, and the measure was adopted with reservations. SB 3334 was reconsidered to add a blank general fund appropriation to establish two FTEs in the superintendent’s office for deputy superintendent positions; members raised reservations about the role of the Board of Education in evaluations, but the recommendation was adopted. Several other bills were moved with little or no discussion. SB 2338, SB 2431, SB 2438, SB 2593, and SB 2671 were each recommended to pass unamended and were adopted. SB 2662 was recommended to pass with technical amendments based on SPO testimony, with the committee report reflecting concerns raised by the Attorney General and ERS; it was adopted. SB 2563 was deferred indefinitely after testimony from the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions said similar existing programs could address the bill’s concerns and the measure was not needed at this time. SB 3296 was deferred because a House bill on the same subject was already moving over.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02.480><c> and</c><01:02:02.720><c> he</c><01:02:02.880><c> takes</c><01:02:03.040><c> out</c><01:02
• c><01:02:04.480><c> to</c><01:02:04.720><c> deal</c><01:02:04.880><c> with</c><01:02:04.960><c> the</
• </c><01:02:07.760><c> So,</c><01:02:07.839><c> we</c><01:02:08.000><c> get</c><01:02:08.160><c> a</c>
• Um and the<01:02:11.520><c> 233</c><01:02:12.240><c> has</c><01:02:12.400><c> been</c><01:02:12.960><
• So<01:02:24.960><c> that's</c><01:02:25.359><c> so</c><01:02:25.599><c> I</c><01:02:25.839><c> so</c>

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.840><c> date</c><00:02:01.039><c> of</c><00:02:01.200><c> the</c><00:02:01.320><c> measure</c><00
• :36.560><c> as</c><00:02:36.760><c> is</c><00:02:37.319><c> chair</c><00:02:37.599><c> votes</c><00:02
• /c><00:02:39.920><c> are</c><00:02:40.080><c> there</c><00:02:40.239><c> any</c><00:02:40.400><c> voting
• ><c> reservations</c><00:02:41.920><c> or</c><00:02:42.159><c> objections</c><00:02:43.159><c> hearing
• </c><00:02:50.040><c> next</c><00:02:50.200><c> measure</c><00:02:50.560><c> is</c><00:02:50.760><c>

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met in decision-making session and took up a series of previously heard bills. SB 21 on water carriers was passed with amendments to make the inflationary cost-indexed adjustment mechanism permissive rather than required, along with technical changes and a non-defective effective date. SB 133 on energy was passed with amendments adopting PUC recommendations and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 391 on recycling, creating an end-of-life lithium-ion battery management working group, was passed unamended. SB 532 on DOE medication administration in public schools was passed with amendments incorporating Hawaii State Center for Nursing proposals and a defective effective date. SB 230 on wild game meat donations was passed with technical amendments and a July 1, 2050 defective date. SB 1279 on pharmacists and telehealth supervision under the 340B program was also passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050. SB 1494 on optional hearing aid coverage was passed with technical amendments and a defective effective date of July 1, 2050. The committee deferred action on SB 588, which would allow self-certification for certain behind-the-meter solar systems and exempt them from FEA no-rise/no-impact declarations, citing the testimony submitted. It also deferred SB 281 on telehealth conformity with federal Medicare rules and SB 49 on prior authorization data reporting, both until Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Conference Room 229. SB 838 on health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors was passed with amendments adopting technical changes and Department of Human Services proposals, plus a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; one member noted support but urged future consideration of including Medicaid managed care. All measures acted on were adopted without objections or reservations, with Senator Richards excused from voting on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:04.000><c> changes,</c><00:02:04.479><c> funding</c><00:02:04.719><c> delays,</c><00:02:05.119
• This<00:02:10.399><c> is</c><00:02:10.560><c> the</c><00:02:10.720><c> fifth</c><00:02:10.879><c> brief
• <00:02:13.840><c> the</c><00:02:14.000><c> rule</c><00:02:14.239><c> of</c><00:02:14.400><c> law</c><
• <00:02:48.400><c> state</c><00:02:48.560><c> of</c><00:02:48.720><c> Hawaii</c><00:02:49.040><c> to</
• c><00:02:49.200><c> try</c><00:02:49.280><c> to</c><00:02:49.440><c> block</c><00:02:49.680><c> it</c

Summary: The Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment committees held an informational briefing on how recent federal policy changes, funding delays, cancellations, and layoffs are affecting Hawaii’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, and on the legality of some of those federal actions. Chair Carl Rhodes and Chair Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing it as part of an interim series on the rule of law and Hawaii’s response to federal actions. They noted there would be no public testimony, only invited presenters, and that questions would be held until the end. No votes or formal committee actions were taken. State climate change coordinator Leah Laramie described broad impacts from federal actions, including grant cancellations, litigation over terminated funding, staff cuts at NOAA and EPA, and the effect of the federal tax and spending law she said would raise energy costs, reduce grid reliability, and threaten renewable energy and transportation projects. She highlighted the loss or expiration of incentives for EVs and other clean-energy technologies, the termination of the Solar for All program and other rescissions, and the risk to major Hawaii projects such as Carbon Smart Commodities and other energy and land conservation programs. She also said the state’s attorneys general had taken numerous climate-related legal actions, including suits challenging federal cuts and the oil companies’ role in the climate crisis. Retired Justice Michael Wilson focused on the rule of law and climate justice, arguing that Hawaii is on the front line of climate change and that fossil fuel companies pose the greatest long-term threat. He said the state lacks a comprehensive climate protection plan despite the urgency of the crisis, cited UN and scientific warnings about a limited time horizon and severe warming, and pointed to projected local harms such as sea-level rise, beach loss, infrastructure damage, and major economic losses in Waikiki. His remarks emphasized the need for stronger planning and legal accountability, especially in light of federal rollbacks and the influence of fossil fuel interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• reverse repealer <00:02:10.150><c>addat </c><00:02:10.300><c>kak </c><00:02:10.450><c>too </c><00:02
• c><00:02:11.200><c>toh </c><00:02:11.350><c>yaanam </c><00:02:11.500><c>toh </c><00:02:11.650><c>taturtam
• </c><00:02:11.800><c>faxximta </c><00:02:11.950><c>toh </c><00:02:12.100><c>yaanam </c><00:02:12.250
• :30.960><c>elle </c><00:02:31.360><c>nan </c><00:02:31.760><c>ikke </c><00:02:32.160><c>ta </c><00:02
• <c>agat </c><00:02:53.092><c>caddol </c><00:02:53.758><c>iroh </c><00:02:54.424><c>tan </c><00:02:55.090

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division A

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:07.920><c> also</c><00:02:08.160><c> gives</c><00:02:08.399><c> authority</c><00:02:08.959><c> to
• Uh<00:02:17.599><c> and</c><00:02:17.760><c> hydrocodone</c><00:02:18.560><c> is</c><00:02:18.720><c>
• Uh also<00:02:23.920><c> cleans</c><00:02:24.239><c> up</c><00:02:24.400><c> some</c><00:02:24.640><c
• <00:02:28.800><c> to</c><00:02:29.040><c> register</c><00:02:29.840><c> with</c><00:02:30.160><c> Casper
• <00:02:33.120><c> is</c><00:02:33.280><c> no</c><00:02:33.519><c> fiscal</c><00:02:34.000><c> impact<

Summary: The committee first reviewed preferred administrative regulations and, hearing no concerns, considered them reviewed. It then took up House Bill 388, described as a Casper cleanup bill. The sponsor said it would exempt charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allow Casper data sharing with certain federal entities, update references to hydrocodone’s schedule status, clean up drafting errors, and clarify practitioner registration with Casper. The bill passed 9-0 and was then approved for consent. Next, House Bill 134 was presented as a follow-up to a prior study on shortages of sexual assault nurse examiners and SANE-ready hospitals. The sponsor and a representative from the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs said the bill would create a statewide SANE coordinator. The committee adopted a substitute, then passed the bill unanimously and sent it to consent. Senate Bill 147 was then heard as an administrative update to vital records, modernizing certified-copy requests, adjusting fees, and requiring the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to send the annual death report to the State Board of Elections by July 1 each year. It passed unanimously and was also moved to consent. House Bill 280, a Kentucky Board of Nursing cleanup bill, would let the board investigate out-of-state nurses applying for Kentucky licenses, clarify licensing language, and update school rescue medication provisions, including inhalers, nebulizers, glucagon, Solu-Cortef, and nasal epinephrine. A committee substitute narrowed the bill to glucagon updates, and one senator asked whether the bill also covered child care centers; the sponsor said it addressed school medications only but was open to further discussion. The bill passed 10-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, Senate Bill 77 drew extended testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued that ibogaine research and treatment could help address addiction, PTSD, and depression, citing studies, personal recovery stories, and a proposed public-private partnership funded through opioid settlement money. The committee substitute removed the bill’s appropriation request and emergency clause, and members asked questions about whether PTSD is an addiction, whether smoking was included, whether the bill was authorizing research rather than funding, and how the treatment works. The sponsor said the substitute was only creating a structure for research, not appropriating money, and supporters described ibogaine as a one-time, medically supervised treatment. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on Senate Bill 77 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:02:00.079><c> so</c><00:02:00.320><c> we're</c><00:02:00.560><c> standardizing</c><00:02:01.280
• Now I I I<00:02:07.600><c> hear</c><00:02:07.759><c> what</c><00:02:07.920><c> you're</c><00:02:08.160
• 00:02:10.239><c> but</c><00:02:10.479><c> let</c><00:02:10.720><c> me</c><00:02:10.800><c> just</c><00
• this<00:02:11.440><c> to</c><00:02:11.599><c> you</c><00:02:11.760><c> before</c><00:02:12.000><c> I
• </c><00:02:31.920><c> But</c><00:02:32.239><c> my</c><00:02:32.640><c> question</c><00:02:33.040><c>

Bills: HB329 , HB8 , HB353 , HB329 , HB8 , HB353 , HB50 , HB78 , HB225 , SB75 , SB209 , HB50 , HB78 , HB225 , SB75 , SB209

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, tobacco regulation, vaping, sales restrictions, youth protection, tobacco compliance, public health, education programs, electronic nicotine delivery systems, judicial compensation, salary adjustments, district attorneys, Judges, local officials, computer science, education reform

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:02:03.520><c> I</c><00:02:03.759><c> will</c><00:02:03.920><c> be</c><00:02:04.079><c> asking</c
• you is<00:02:05.680><c> uh</c><00:02:06.960><c> uh</c><00:02:07.119><c> if</c><00:02:07.360><c> you</
• c><00:02:07.520><c> would</c><00:02:07.840><c> just</c><00:02:08.239><c> let</c><00:02:08.479><c> us<
• <00:02:14.480><c> just</c> I'll<00:02:18.160><c> just</c><00:02:18.319><c> have</c><00:02:18.400><c>
• you</c><00:02:18.560><c> sit</c><00:02:18.800><c> down</c><00:02:19.040><c> for</c><00:02:19.280><c>

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met with a quorum, approved the June 3, 2026 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Mike Proctor of Evolve Kentucky on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Proctor described Evolve Kentucky as a nonprofit formed in 2016 to promote EV adoption and charger deployment, said the group has helped place more than 135 chargers at 65 locations, and reported that Kentucky EV registrations have grown rapidly but still represent about 1% of the state’s roughly 3 million vehicles. He also outlined the group’s view that EV drivers and charger operators already contribute to state revenue through annual vehicle fees, charger taxes, utility taxes, and related business taxes, and cited figures showing rising revenue collections as EV adoption increases. A major theme of the presentation was that EV owners are paying their “fair share” rather than being overcharged. Proctor said the current $126 annual EV fee is roughly comparable to the fuel tax a typical gasoline vehicle would pay, and noted that public charging can add additional tax burdens for drivers who cannot charge at home, such as those living in apartments or condos. He also argued that EVs provide broader benefits, including lower noise and air pollution, grid-stabilizing nighttime charging, tourism spending at destination chargers, and reduced road wear for passenger EVs compared with much heavier vehicles. Members questioned Proctor about whether EV owners are paying more than their fair share, how the fee compares with gasoline taxes, and whether apartment and condo residents are disproportionately affected because they rely on public chargers. Proctor responded that the fee was intended to bring EV owners into parity with gas vehicles, not to overcharge them, and said some public chargers are free while others are used by drivers who cannot charge at home. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond the minutes approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Senator</c><00:02:34.760><c> decoy</c><00:02:35.760><c> excuse</c><00:02:36.560><c> Senator</c><
• excuse Senator El hi Senator<00:02:39.560><c> Hashimoto</c><00:02:40.560><c> Senator</c><00:02:40.879
• Ino Senator kuha<00:02:42.920><c> hi</c><00:02:43.239><c> Senator</c><00:02:43.599><c> kidani</c><00
• <00:02:47.920><c> hi</c><00:02:48.280><c> Senator</c><00:02:49.280><c> excuse</c><00:02:50.280><c> and
• ><c> hi</c><00:02:52.200><c> adopted</c><00:02:52.800><c> thank</c><00:02:52.920><c> you</c>

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and the Committee on Ways and Means held a joint hearing on S.P. 1365, which concerns the interstate medical licensure compact. The bill would authorize the Hawaii Medical Board, as the state of principal license, to investigate and request criminal history records for qualified physicians seeking licensure through the compact. Testimony was strongly supportive. SHIPA, the Hawaii Medical Board, Queen’s Health Systems, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, HMSA, and the Hawaii Medical Association all supported the measure. The Hawaii Medical Association said the bill would help move the compact forward as part of Hawaii’s access-to-care strategy and noted that nearly 200 physicians have already come in through the compact. After brief discussion, no members raised questions or objections. The committees recommended passage of the measure unamended. The motion was adopted by vote, with several members voting aye and a few excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:02:07.360><c> I'll</c><00:02:07.520><c> ask</c><00:02:07.680><c> you</c><00:02:07.840><c> all<
• </c><00:02:13.200><c> I'm</c><00:02:13.440><c> the</c><00:02:13.680><c> CEO</c><00:02:14.000><c> and<
• Uh just here<00:02:18.400><c> on</c><00:02:18.640><c> behalf</c><00:02:18.959><c> of</c><00:02:19.440
• </c><00:02:24.480><c> Um</c><00:02:24.720><c> I</c><00:02:24.959><c> am</c><00:02:25.120><c> State</c
• And we're<00:02:32.800><c> here</c><00:02:32.959><c> today</c><00:02:33.280><c> to</c><00:02:33.599><

Summary: The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force opened its sixth meeting by approving the minutes and then taking up a presentation from University of Pikeville representatives and local leaders on an Eastern Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Speakers included Greg May, Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty, Lori Worth, and Laura Damron. They described repeated flooding and other disasters in eastern Kentucky, the lack of a single prepared relief location, and the need for a centralized, elevated site that could serve as a flood and broader natural-disaster hub. The presenters said the Bear Mountain property, about 530 acres and well above flood levels, could support a multi-use facility combining disaster response functions with university and community uses. Proposed features included a command and communications center, distribution space, emergency shelter, medical and clinic support, food service, restroom facilities, RV hookups, and an indoor track/distribution building. They emphasized that the project would help avoid disrupting existing venues such as the Pikeville Expo Center and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, while also supporting tourism and economic recovery. Committee members asked about community and emergency-management support, annual operating costs, and resilience standards such as tornado-related building codes. In response, the presenters said local stakeholders, including Appalachian Wireless, Pikeville Medical Center, Community Trust Bank, the city of Pikeville, and emergency management officials, had expressed support. They said the university planned to absorb some operating costs through multiple uses of the facility, community camps, and budgeted maintenance, and that construction documents were nearly complete with plans to begin building within months. After the presentation, the chair thanked the presenters and moved the committee into its recommendations discussion, noting the broader fiscal and humanitarian importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency and indicating that future legislation would likely follow from the task force’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm<00:02:33.680><c> Bob</c><00:02:33.920><c> Toyofuku</c><00:02:35.120><c> testifying</c><00:02:35.840
• in support of<00:02:37.080><c> Daniel</c><00:02:37.480><c> Gluck</c><00:02:37.840><c> for</c><00:02:
• And<00:02:39.720><c> I'll</c><00:02:39.840><c> just</c><00:02:40.080><c> add</c><00:02:40.280><c> a</
• I've<00:02:43.640><c> always</c><00:02:43.960><c> felt</c><00:02:44.320><c> that</c><00:02:44.560><c>
• ><c> academic</c><00:02:54.080><c> to</c><00:02:54.200><c> me</c><00:02:54.840><c> and</c><00:02:55.080

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Governor’s Message 725, the nomination of Daniel M. Gluck to serve as associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced a two-minute testimony limit, said the committee would not vote that day, and scheduled decision-making for the next day at 10:45 a.m. in Room 016. Testimony in support came from the Governor’s Office, judges and legal professionals, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and members of the public, including a child who described Gluck’s kindness and help in Girl Scouts. The committee reported 72 supporters, zero opposition, and one comment from the West Side Bar Association. Gluck thanked the committee and outlined his background in private practice, nonprofit work, and government service, including work in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. He emphasized access to justice, pro bono representation, and his commitment to reducing the ICA backlog. In response to questions, he said he would focus on fuller staffing, shorter and more concise opinions, possible use of AI for limited administrative tasks, and process improvements to speed appeals. He also discussed appellate timelines, briefing schedules, and the value of oral argument for transparency and clarification. Members questioned him about impartiality, especially in cases involving tension between Hawaii and federal precedent. Gluck said judges must follow controlling law, including U.S. Supreme Court precedent on federal questions and Hawaii Supreme Court precedent on state-law issues, and that the judiciary should not make policy. He also described his current work as deputy corporation counsel, including HART, firearms licensing after Bruen, appeals, and pending state cases. No vote was taken, and the hearing was adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> yes</c><01:02:04.799><c> to</c><01:02:05.040><c> offer</c><01:02:05.359><c> an</c><01:02:05.599><c
• /c><01:02:07.760><c> will</c><01:02:08.160><c> take</c><01:02:08.400><c> funding</c><01:02:08.799><c>
• ><c> or</c><01:02:11.280><c> form</c><01:02:11.440><c> that</c><01:02:11.599><c> we</c><01:02:11.760>
• <01:02:28.960><c> head</c><01:02:29.280><c> would</c><01:02:29.520><c> communicate</c><01:02:29.920><
• &gt;&gt; We<01:02:46.480><c> are</c><01:02:46.559><c> in</c><01:02:46.720><c> the</c><01:02:46.880><c

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on findings from the deportation data project and possible policy responses to increased federal immigration enforcement in Hawaii. In opening remarks, the chair said the committee was concerned about changing federal executive orders, policies, and enforcement actions, and framed the issue as one involving due process and public safety. The chair and presenters described reports of ICE activity on multiple islands, including raids, courthouse presence, and fear in immigrant communities, and said the committee was considering whether state policies should be advanced more quickly. Mandy Fernandez of the ACLU of Hawaii presented updated deportation data and argued that increased immigration enforcement is creating fear, reducing crime reporting, and potentially making state and local agencies extensions of the federal immigration agenda if they accept federal funding with conditions. She said the deportation data project, housed at UC Berkeley Law with UCLA’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy, uses FOIA requests and its latest data runs through late July 2025. She reported 153 ICE arrests in Hawaii from January through July 2025, up from 41 in the same period in 2024; 96 removals, up from 15; a federal detention center average daily population of 91 in June 2025 versus 31 in June 2024; and 111 ICE detainers issued in Hawaii from September 2023 through July 2025, with 49 issued in 2025. She also cited an immigration court backlog of 1,144 pending cases as of August 2025 and noted that about one in five Hawaii residents were born outside the United States. Haley Chang of the Office of the Public Defender said her office is seeing a marked increase in ICE presence around courthouses and more ICE contacts with clients, including reports of people being detained after court appearances or while on supervision. She emphasized that the office is not an immigration law office and that much of its information is anecdotal, but said the pattern appears new compared with prior years. In response to committee questions, she explained that ICE detainers are requests, not judicial warrants, and said local law enforcement is generally not required to honor them unless accompanied by a judicial warrant or other legal authority. She also said the public defender’s office had not yet seen new criminal charges arise solely from an ICE detention or failure to appear tied to immigration enforcement, though cases could be affected if defendants are removed from the criminal process.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Thank<00:02:01.680><c> you</c><00:02:01.920><c> so</c><00:02:02.079><c> much.
• </c> &gt;&gt; I<00:02:05.920><c> was</c><00:02:06.000><c> going</c><00:02:06.079><c> to</c><00:02:06.159
• Thank you and<00:02:07.520><c> thank</c><00:02:07.600><c> you</c><00:02:07.759><c> for</c><00:02:07.920
• ><c> the</c><00:02:08.080><c> setup</c><00:02:08.319><c> for</c><00:02:08.479><c> such</c><00:02:08.640
• </c><00:02:09.280><c> It</c><00:02:09.440><c> really</c><00:02:09.599><c> means</c><00:02:09.679><c>

Bills: SB275 , SB276

Committee: House Shelby County Legislation

Keywords: entertainment districts, Alabaster, alcohol regulations, city council authority, open containers, weed nuisance, abatement procedures, city authority, public health, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:01.960><c> can</c><01:02:02.599><c> can</c><01:02:02.839><c> weigh</c><01:02:03.039><c> in</c>
• </c><01:02:04.119><c> it's</c><01:02:04.200><c> a</c><01:02:04.359><c> reasonable</c><01:02:05.119><c
• </c><01:02:08.839><c> be</c><01:02:09.000><c> the</c><01:02:09.200><c> economic</c><01:02:10.480><c>
• 02:25.000><c> the</c><01:02:25.160><c> state</c><01:02:26.119><c> um</c><01:02:26.400><c> so</c><01:02
• ><c> of</c><01:02:29.960><c> parts</c><01:02:30.279><c> of</c><01:02:30.440><c> California</c><01:02:

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 7, 2025, to hear testimony on several bills and later take up amendments and votes. HB 1405, HB 1406, and HB 1407 drew broad support from business, housing, utility, and development groups, with no opposition noted on those measures. Testifiers generally said the bills would streamline permitting, improve coordination, and expand support for chambers of commerce and small businesses. After recess, the chair recommended amendments to each bill, including changes to broaden eligibility, add reporting requirements, and include funding and staffing notes. HB 1405 was amended to allow certain projects with one state and one county permit to qualify, require annual DBEDT reports to the Legislature, and note one full-time position and $125,000 in funding; the committee voted to pass it with amendments. HB 1406 was amended to move the intergovernmental task force from DBEDT to the House Legislature, add a Speaker-appointed chair, and include a $125,000 appropriation note; it also passed with amendments. HB 1407 was amended to convert the chamber support from a grant process to an RFP process and require a 1-to-5 match on a $100,000 award; it too passed with amendments. In each case, the chair’s recommendation was adopted, with Representative Tam excused. The committee also heard HB 796, a tax-credit review bill, which drew no support and 12 opposition testimonies with three comments. Opponents, including SAG-AFTRA Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued that automatic sunset provisions or broad tax-credit cuts would burden working families and that existing review mechanisms already exist under state law. The Department of Taxation and DBEDT offered technical comments, and the Tax Foundation suggested the bill’s goals might be better addressed by cleaning up the existing review process. Later, the committee heard HB 303, which had 17 supporters and no opposition. Testifiers from the Department of Health, University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Queen’s Health System, and the Hawaii State Chiropractors Association supported the measure, with the chiropractors asking to be included in eligibility. The Hawaii State Center for Nursing said the program had been successful for five years and had room to expand. HB 577 also drew support, with the Department of Taxation offering comments and the Tax Foundation noting technical issues. HB 949 generated mixed testimony: Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce supported it, while Hawaii Children’s Action Network raised concerns about the bill’s effects and the lack of fiscal analysis; Sugar Creek Capital also supported the measure and clarified that the credit would not offset the GET. Finally, HB 933 and HB 959 were heard, with HB 933 receiving six support testimonies and comments focused on grocery tax relief and food insecurity, and HB 959 drawing strong support from labor and advocacy groups for its broad tax relief package, while the Tax Foundation and Hawaii Appleseed urged caution about the proposed 50% GET increase and asked for clearer fiscal analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• > on</c><00:02:36.640><c> the</c><00:02:36.800><c> safety</c><00:02:37.519><c> safety</c><00:02:38.000
• </c><00:02:40.080><c> And</c><00:02:40.239><c> at</c><00:02:40.480><c> this</c><00:02:40.640><c> time
• And at this time, I<00:02:41.120><c> will</c><00:02:41.280><c> turn</c><00:02:41.440><c> it</c><00:02
• Thank you so<00:02:43.360><c> much,</c><00:02:43.599><c> Cinder</c><00:02:44.000><c> Adams.
• As I mentioned, my<00:02:45.599><c> name</c><00:02:45.760><c> is</c><00:02:45.840><c> Donna</c><00:02

Committee: Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:03.360><c> public</c><00:02:03.520><c> notes</c><00:02:03.840><c> will</c><00:02:04.000><c
• Um my guideline<00:02:32.480><c> is</c><00:02:32.560><c> to</c><00:02:32.720><c> keep</c><00:02:32.879
• <00:02:40.400><c> long</c><00:02:40.480><c> that</c><00:02:40.720><c> you</c><00:02:40.879><c> can't<
• 02:42.160><c> have</c><00:02:42.239><c> to</c><00:02:42.319><c> cut</c><00:02:42.480><c> off</c><00:02
• :43.280><c> and</c><00:02:43.519><c> and</c><00:02:43.840><c> ask</c><00:02:44.000><c> your</c><00:02

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability. Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people. Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.