Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman 22. Mr. Speaker, for a privilege. No one has the floor. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• House Bill 957 and House Joint Memorial 22 were filed for the second reading calendar.
• House Concurrent Resolution 22. Mr. Speaker, for a privilege and a motion.
• Gentleman from 22: Mr.
• Gentlemen from 22, Mr. Speaker, a point of personal privilege first. Gentleman has the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:22:39.480><c> 8</c><00:22:39.800><c> 4</c><00:22:40.200><c> 5</c><00:22:40.600><c> 6</c><00:22:40.960
• ><c> 7</c><00:22:41.480><c> 8</c> support. 8 4 5 6 7 8 support. 8 4 5 6 7 8 10<00:22:42.679><c> other
• 13</c><00:22:45.400><c> other</c><00:22:45.679><c> individuals</c><00:22:46.600><c> all</c><00:22:46.800
• Nobody<00:22:48.440><c> in</c><00:22:48.560><c> opposition.</c> Nobody in opposition.
• Anybody<00:22:50.440><c> wishing</c><00:22:50.760><c> testify</c><00:22:51.280><c> HB1974?

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee hearing opened with notice that the meeting was being streamed and could reconvene later if technical problems forced an abrupt end. The chair also announced a one-minute testimony limit and proceeded through several bills, taking mostly written and oral support testimony and asking limited questions. No votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1626, relating to youth penalties, drew strong support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, youth advocates, the ACLU, the Department of Education, and others. Testifiers said financial sanctions on youth are ineffective, disproportionately burden Native Hawaiian youth, and function as poverty penalties; they urged replacing fines with community service, restorative practices, and ʻāina-based programs, and eliminating uncollectible legacy debt. The chair moved on after no member questions. HB 1643, relating to pharmacy, was discussed with support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Kaiser, the Board of Pharmacy, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Testimony focused on amendment language, audit procedures, HIPAA concerns, and the need for flexibility for small island pharmacies. HB 1668, relating to Medicaid, received broad support from disability advocates and the Department of Human Services; witnesses said CMS had already approved the underlying state plan amendment removing income and asset limits for certain workers with disabilities, but they wanted the protection codified in law to preserve it long term. The chair asked whether codification was necessary and was told it would not be harmful and would help ensure continuity if federal policy changed. The committee then heard HB 1550 on drug paraphernalia and syringe access, with support from Shipta and the Department of Health; testimony emphasized preserving flexibility for the statewide syringe access program to respond to emerging drugs like xylazine. HB 1974, relating to health, was presented as a planning measure for hearing loss; testifiers said Hawaii lacks a comprehensive hearing-loss plan and that the bill would fund a state planning process, not direct services. HB 1858 on vital statistics drew support from clinicians and medical organizations, who said better data on spontaneous fetal deaths is needed and that the term used in the bill is standard medical and CDC terminology. HB 1871 and HB 1966 also received support, with HB 1966’s EMS special fund prompting discussion about the cigarette-tax revenue source; the chair questioned the nexus to EMS, and the Department of Health said the revenue currently funds the special fund and there is no alternative funding stream.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since it's just an option, the option to divest itself of these $22 million of direct investments in
• If you look at Section 22, it's on the line item transfer.
• House Bill 1575 mirrors 1534 with similar language in Chapter 57-02.
• House bill 1575 mirrors 1534 with similar language in Chapter 5702.
• The question is on the final passage of Senate Bill 22.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and handled a mix of conference committee appointments, appropriations bills, policy bills, and House amendments. Early in the session, the chamber appointed conference committees for SB 2399 and for House-amended SBs 2213 and 2354, and also named conference committees for HB 103, HB 1308, and HB 1169. The Senate then took up several appropriations measures, including HB 1612, which creates the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at UND; the Senate adopted an amendment shifting the funding to a one-time $250,000 Community Health Trust Fund appropriation with a required $250,000 match from other sources, and the bill passed 39-7. HB 1193, the “Back the Blue” grant, was amended to make the funding one-time and focus on officer retention, then passed 41-5. HB 1329, a government spending database proposal for school districts, was amended into a legislative study and passed 42-4. HB 1020, the water budget, received extensive amendments reducing and reallocating funding across major water projects, adding studies and oversight changes, and passed 45-0 with the emergency clause. HB 1581, a tribal tourism grant, also passed 40-6. The Senate rejected HB 1330, which would have authorized divestment from direct investments in Chinese companies; after debate over the prudent investor rule, trade impacts, and whether the bill singled out one nation in law, it failed 20-26. HB 1534, limiting property valuation increases, and HB 1266, adjusting the disabled veterans property tax credit, both failed unanimously or nearly so after committee recommendations against them. HB 1566, which would have created a regulatory framework for a product discussed as kratom, was amended on the floor to convert it into a study and then passed 31-15. The chamber also passed HB 2241 on charter schools after a House amendment changed the funding formula to the statewide average from the prior year, and HB 2022, the indigent legal counsel budget, after House changes added funding flexibility, offset lost fee revenue, and included a study on a public defender office. The Senate concurred in several House amendments and then passed a number of Senate bills. SB 2375, allowing joint negotiations between dental providers and insurers under Attorney General oversight, passed 44-2. SB 2251, clarifying that open records requests during state audits should be referred to the audited agency, passed 46-0. SB 2159, related to nuclear energy research, passed 43-3 after House amendments required Industrial Commission approval and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. SB 2155, changing gratis antelope license rules, passed 30-16 after debate over landowner rights and tag distribution. SB 251, setting fees and an audit for the Private Investigative and Security Board, passed 44-2. SB 2280, the prior authorization health insurance bill, passed 43-3 with a House-added study and consumer protections. SB 2023, the Racing Commission budget, passed 41-5 after a House change made internship funding one-time. SB 2232, changing prenatal substance exposure reporting requirements and related toxicology rules, passed 44-2. SB 2241, authorizing public charter schools, passed 39-7. The session ended while the Senate was still processing SB 2022’s final passage vote, but the bill had already cleared concurrence on House amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We find them to<00:22:30.920><c> be</c><00:22:31.120><c> the</c><00:22:31.280><c> issue.
• &gt;&gt; Thank<00:22:34.800><c> you</c><00:22:34.920><c> for</c><00:22:35.080><c> your</c><00:22:35.240
• </c><00:22:36.480><c> I'm</c><00:22:36.600><c> available</c><00:22:37.080><c> for</c><00:22:37.200><c
• Okay,<00:22:39.880><c> next</c><00:22:40.200><c> testifying</c><00:22:40.760><c> person</c> Okay, next
• 22:44.080><c> Association</c><00:22:44.640><c> of</c><00:22:44.720><c> Hawaii</c><00:22:45.040><c> in

Bills: HCR92 , HCR46 , HCR172 , HCR147 , HCR112 , HCR100 , HR84 , HR42 , HR139 , HR104 , HR92

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: automated external defibrillator, AED, cardiac arrest, state buildings, health education, public health, lifeguards, first responders, public safety, ocean safety, emergency response, Hawaii, workers' compensation, auditor, procurement audit, compliance, Department of Human Resources Development, transparency, accountability, medical care

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution No. 22, by the State Affairs Committee, is a concurrent resolution stating
• House Joint Memorial No. 9, House Resolution 19, and House Concurrent Resolution No. 22 will refer to
• Conservation Committee, is an act relating to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, amending Section 22
• Section 22-2718 Idaho Code to revise provisions regarding the Idaho State Soil and Water Conservation
• Good gentleman 22, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 22. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• of House Concurrent Resolution 22.
• January 22, 2026. Mr.
• Good gentleman from 22. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• You're turning very red, good gentleman, 22. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> we</c><00:22:04.000><c> go</c><00:22:04.080><c> down</c><00:22:04.320><c> to</c><00:22:04.400><c>
• :22:07.840><c> Civic</c><00:22:08.240><c> will</c><00:22:08.400><c> fill</c><00:22:08.640><c> them</c
• How<00:22:19.520><c> much</c><00:22:19.679><c> do</c><00:22:19.840><c> we</c><00:22:19.919><c> spend<
• /c><00:22:20.159><c> a</c><00:22:20.400><c> day</c><00:22:20.640><c> to</c><00:22:20.880><c> keep</c>
• /c><00:22:21.760><c> same</c><00:22:21.919><c> person</c><00:22:22.159><c> locked</c><00:22:22.400><c

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The joint committees heard three resolutions first. STR 32/SR 18 asked the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with the Department of Transportation to use inmate work furlough programs for state roadway and highway maintenance. Testimony was generally supportive of the intent, but the Correctional System Oversight Commission raised concerns about using work furlough for maintenance and emphasized that participants should be paid at least minimum wage, be able to meet restitution and support obligations, and not have their release timing affected. The measures were later recommended and adopted by both committees with no amendments in the joint portion. STR 199/SR 179 concerned increased caution regarding foreign infrastructure. There was no public testimony. In decision-making, the committees split the measures: STR 199 was deferred because of a similar measure, while SR 179 was passed with amendments. The amendments were described as clarifying Hawaii’s goals of self-sufficiency, local self-reliance, and self-determination, and encouraging scrutiny by departments and agencies to reduce dependence on imports. STR 231/SR 207, which would direct DOT to install electronic equipment at state airports and harbors to scan for illegal fireworks, drew mixed testimony, including support from the Oahu Filipino Community Council and comments from Matson Navigation. DOT said it supported the intent. The committees adopted amendments to address Matson’s concerns by moving inspections to a place outside the immediate loading and unloading area, and both committees passed the measures as amended. The Public Safety and Military Affairs committee then took up additional resolutions. STR 113/SR 94, designating Hawaii as a Purple Heart state on August 7, 2025, received no testimony and was not discussed further. STR 204/SR 164, asking the Department of Law Enforcement for information on disposal, detonation, and destruction of explosive fireworks and similar hazardous materials, also drew no testimony in the excerpt. STR 107/SR 88, urging military branches in Hawaii to provide hurricane-resistant shelters for active and retired personnel and families, likewise received no testimony. STR 148/SR 119, supporting construction of a floating dry dock at Pearl Harbor, drew broad support from industry, military, and state economic development representatives. STR 149/SR 120, creating a vegetation management working group to address wildfire risk, received extensive testimony in support and comments, with speakers from DCCA, PUC, Hawaiian Electric, IBW 1260, Hawaiʻi Telecom, and Kamehameha Schools discussing wildfire hazards, responsibility for vegetation near utility infrastructure, and the need to include workers and landowners in the process. STR 126/SR 105, calling for an incremental reduction in the number of inmates housed in private out-of-state facilities, prompted a lengthy discussion with DCR. The director said Hawaii’s out-of-state incarceration is driven by overcrowding and security needs, not a quota, described the per-person-per-day cost of CoreCivic housing, noted that Hawaii pays about $96 per inmate per day out of state versus about $37 in-state, and said the department is working on a master plan and future facility needs. The committee also discussed the need for a new prison and possibly a new jail. The excerpt ends with the committee still in discussion, without showing a final vote on STR 126/SR 105.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman 22. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Gentleman from 22. Gentleman from 22. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the privilege and then a motion.
• 35, Title 67, Idaho Code; amending Chapter 35, Title 60, Idaho Code; and amending Chapter 35, Title
• Good gentleman from 22. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent... Good gentleman from 22.
• The gentleman from 22. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, we want<00:22:52.720><c> to</c><00:22:52.880><c> protect</c><00:22:53.440><c> protect</c> want
• because<00:22:57.280><c> we're</c><00:22:57.520><c> the</c><00:22:57.679><c> ones</c><00:22:57.840><
• c> that</c><00:22:58.000><c> have</c><00:22:58.159><c> to</c><00:22:58.240><c> look</c> because we're
• 22:58.799><c> them.
• So that so it's chapter law.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• You've used that<00:22:38.640><c> multiple</c><00:22:39.080><c> times</c><00:22:39.360><c> with</c><00
• Yeah, I I<00:22:44.840><c> think</c><00:22:45.520><c> that's</c><00:22:45.720><c> good</c><00:22:45.920
• I think that's<00:22:47.560><c> one</c><00:22:47.720><c> of</c><00:22:47.760><c> the</c><00:22:47.840
• 00:22:49.760><c> the</c><00:22:49.840><c> timing</c><00:22:50.280><c> of</c><00:22:50.400><c> it.
• &gt;&gt; Understood.<00:22:51.280><c> Moving</c><00:22:51.880><c> along</c><00:22:52.160><c> a</c><00

Summary: The committee first reviewed several Fish and Wildlife regulations. Staff explained amendments to 301 KAR 2:176, 4:112, and 6:030, including updating wildlife control tag language, creating an impoundment agent program for seized wildlife, and clarifying boating safety rules. A member raised a concern about boat wakes near docks, and staff said the commission had recently voted on related changes that were not yet included because the regulation had been filed earlier; those changes would have to come back later. The committee approved the staff amendments without objection. The Board of Veterinary Examiners then presented 201 KAR 16:767, which would require veterinary managers to be physically present during business hours and limit them to five registered facilities. Board representatives said they had tried to meet with affected parties before the hearing but had not reached agreement. A representative for Kentucky Pet IQ argued the rule was written for full-service hospitals and would be impractical for short, limited-service clinics that only provide vaccinations, preventive care, and parasite testing. Members expressed concern about the rule’s impact on veterinary access in underserved areas, and the committee voted to defer the regulation until the next month so the parties could continue negotiating. The committee next considered Transportation Cabinet 601 KAR 9:120, the online insurance verification system, in both ordinary and emergency form. The chair said staff had identified conflicts with a bill passed the prior year and moved to find the regulations deficient. The motion passed on a roll call vote, with six ayes and two pass votes. The committee then found ordinary ABC regulations 804 KAR 12:020 and 12:030 deficient as well, again by six ayes and two pass votes, after noting that the emergency versions had already been found deficient the previous month. Finally, the committee reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services 902 KAR 55:110, which would require veterinarians to report dispensed controlled substances to KASPER while exempting administered medications. OIG staff said the rule was meant to align regulation with statute, which includes veterinarians as prescribers, and emphasized that the reporting duty applies to prescriptions, not administration to animals. Some members supported the change as a needed anti-diversion measure, while others worried about implementation burdens and timing. After discussion, the committee found the regulation deficient by a 6-2 vote. The meeting then moved into full review of 922 KAR 1:565, a Department for Community Based Services rule implementing kinship care provisions from Senate Bill 151; staff said it was needed for implementation once funding is available, but a member criticized the two-year delay and the inclusion of language conditioning implementation on funding. A public witness from the Kinship Families Coalition argued the rule should not shift the 120-day application window in a way that could affect federal funding eligibility and urged the committee to reject the regulation as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:19.839><c> 76</c><00:13:20.839><c> HRS</c> provisions of chapter 76 HRS provisions of chapter
• And requirements under chapter 89 HRS.
• Seeing<00:22:53.960><c> none,</c> Seeing none, Seeing none, we'll<00:22:55.200><c> be</c><00:22:55.320
• ><c> moving</c><00:22:55.679><c> on</c><00:22:55.920><c> to</c><00:22:56.400><c> the</c><00:22:56.480
• next item, HB<00:22:58.800><c> 1720.

Committee: House Labor

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Senator<01:22:07.040><c> Kun</c><01:22:07.840><c> moves</c><01:22:08.159><c> the</c><01:22:08.480
• ><01:22:40.239><c> this</c><01:22:40.480><c> all</c><01:22:40.800><c> admissible</c><01:22:41.440><c>
• </c><01:22:43.679><c> And</c><01:22:43.920><c> is</c><01:22:44.080><c> that</c><01:22:44.320><c> why<
• </c><02:22:11.680><c> Now,</c><02:22:12.680><c> the</c><02:22:13.680><c> rewriting</c><02:22:14.399><
• At</c><02:22:37.920><c> present</c><02:22:38.880><c> um</c><02:22:39.200><c> we</c><02:22:39.600><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2232 is a bill for an act to create a new section of Chapter 50-25.1 of the North Dakota
• They listed that, but alcohol misuse—so again, if you go to the repeal, it's Chapter 50-25.1.
• Engrossed Senate Bill 2239 is a bill for an act to create and enact a new section of Chapter 54-60 of
• new sections to chapter 26.1-39, a new section of chapter 26.1-44, and a new subsection to section 26.1
• Engrossed Senate Bill 233 is a bill for an act to create a new section of chapter...

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• :03.040><c> and</c><00:22:03.200><c> legacy</c><00:22:03.640><c> of</c><00:22:03.760><c> Mississippi<
• ><00:22:05.200><c> humanitarian</c><00:22:06.000><c> Robert</c><00:22:06.440><c> Bob</c> businessman
• ><c> achievements</c><00:22:14.280><c> at</c><00:22:14.400><c> the</c><00:22:14.480><c> 2026</c><00:22
• /c><00:22:54.880><c> veterans</c><00:22:55.320><c> who</c><00:22:55.480><c> served</c><00:22:55.840><
• served in Honduras from<00:22:56.640><c> 1981</c><00:22:57.560><c> to</c><00:22:57.640><c> 1992.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Speaker recognizes the gentleman from District 22.
• The gentleman from 22, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The gentleman from 22, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Gentleman from 22, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Gentleman 22, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've all voted, there being 109 ayes, 22 nays. House Bill 2598 is finally passed.
• There being 109 ayes, 22 nays, House Bill 3057 is finally passed.
• It strikes a state statute other than Chapter ... and substitutes another law of this state.
• I'm already 22, right, and I don't believe that was even covered under insurance to the doctor.
• 101 ayes, 22 nays. House Bill 4088 passes to engrossment.

Bills: HJR144 , HJR218 , HB40 , HB 101 , HB 112 , HB146 , HB168 , HB214 , HB413 , HB1523 , HB493 , HB521 , HB594 , HB557 , HB305 , HB549 , HB854 , HB 1057 , HB 1052 , HB842 , HB3174 , HB3311 , HB2486 , HB3196 , HB824 , HB 1039 , HB2529 , HB2713 , HB4936 , HB4995 , HB4830 , HB4864 , HB5219 , HB5263 , HB5154 , HB2674 , HB5525 , HB5623 , HB2545 , HB2587 , HB2625 , HB5520 , HB5436 , HB4926 , HB1573 , HB5165 , HB4811 , HB5081 , HB4755 , HB3179 , HB4310 , HB4611 , HB2159 , HB4626 , HB3637 , HB3153 , HB3066 , HB2786 , HB2966 , HB638 , HB640 , HB876 , HB497 , HB5539 , HB4809 , HB5308 , HB4687 , HB4070 , HB4421 , HB4412 , HB3284 , HB3369 , HB3420 , HB3449 , HB4098 , HB4281 , HB4120 , HB4504 , HB4370 , HB 1106 , HB2370 , HB2404 , HB3863 , HB2407 , HB2253 , HB2273 , HB2040 , HB1586 , HB3788 , HB3993 , HB4690 , HB4309 , HB4696 , HB2308 , HB 1142 , HB1533 , HB1621 , HB2242 , HB2012 , HB2193 , HB2442 , HB2464 , HB2348 , HB2313 , HB2289 , HB1942 , HB2011 , HB1629 , HB2993 , HB3592 , HB3824 , HB4076 , HB4535 , HB4623 , HB4773 , HB 1091 , HB5115 , HB5515 , HB3372 , HB5659 , HCR118 , HB 1233 , HB2239 , HB2379 , HB2863 , HB3368 , HB3787 , HB3815 , HB3898 , HB4023 , HB4285 , HB4329 , HB4331 , HB4429 , HB4646 , HB4904 , HB5200 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5662 , HB5668 , HB5670 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5676 , HB5679 , HB5688 , HCR108

Keywords: regional mobility, transportation authority, local law, constitutional amendment, public projects, Texas energy fund, energy efficiency, retail electric customers, electric generating facilities, business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, science park district

Transcript Highlights:

• :42.159><c> so</c><00:22:42.440><c> first</c><00:22:42.640><c> on</c><00:22:42.840><c> our</c><00:22:
• </c><00:22:46.080><c> sd1</c><00:22:46.840><c> relating</c><00:22:47.159><c> to</c> Senate Bill 1185
• the Department<00:22:50.039><c> of</c><00:22:50.240><c> Agriculture</c><00:22:51.240><c> a</c><00:22
• :52.000><c> to</c><00:22:52.159><c> review</c><00:22:52.520><c> and</c><00:22:52.679><c> make</c><00:
• on<00:22:53.919><c> amending</c><00:22:54.919><c> or</c><00:22:55.120><c> repealing</c><00:22:55.880

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• > tree</c><00:22:23.720><c> LLC</c><00:22:24.440><c> auloa</c><00:22:25.120><c> Family</c><00:22:25.400
• ><c> Bowen</c><00:22:49.200><c> if</c><00:22:49.320><c> you</c><00:22:49.480><c> had</c><00:22:49.600
• /c><00:22:54.720><c> position</c><00:22:55.440><c> which</c><00:22:55.640><c> would</c><00:22:55.799>
• would you pick if<00:22:57.520><c> we</c><00:22:57.679><c> had</c><00:22:57.799><c> to</c><00:22:57.919
• ><c> pick</c><00:22:58.120><c> between</c><00:22:58.640><c> to</c><00:22:59.360><c> if</c><00:22:59.840

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard five bills and later took up one joint Housing/Higher Education measure. On SB 1146 SD1, relating to the Alaw Canal, testimony from DLNR and UH was in support of funding an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to address debris management and water quality in the watershed; members discussed the cost burden on DLNR and the possibility of identifying upstream sources of debris. On SB 1232 SD2, relating to wastewater systems, the Department of Health, DHHL, and several advocacy groups supported a three-year pilot program at UH’s Water Resources Research Center to test new wastewater technologies, with witnesses saying it could help certify cheaper alternatives and reduce cesspool upgrade costs. On SB 119 SD1, relating to nursing, witnesses supported funding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Maui College. On SB 865 SD1, relating to agriculture, UH CTAHR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and many island agricultural groups supported funding for a Kona Cooperative Extension position, with testimony and committee discussion favoring an extension agent over an administrative support role. On SB 1487 SD1, relating to UH revenue bonds, UH supported authorizing revenue bonds for priority capital projects, and members asked for clarification that the measure was a preliminary authorization rather than a specific spending plan. In decision-making, the committee recommended passing SB 1146 SD1, SB 1232 SD2, SB 119 SD1, SB 865 SD1, and SB 1487 SD1 with House Draft 1 amendments, mainly to change defective dates to 7/1/3000 and, for SB 865, to upgrade the position to an extension agent. Votes were unanimous in favor on the measures, with one recusal noted on SB 865 and some members excused on other votes. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for a joint House Housing/Higher Education hearing on SB 1553 SD2, relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. DHHL asked that the bill be deferred because due diligence was incomplete and more discussion was needed with UH and other stakeholders; UH said it was coordinating access to the property and described its current and future use. Both committees agreed to defer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

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Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Judiciary committee met in decision-making mode and took up a long list of measures, mostly recommending passage with or without amendments. Early actions included S.B. 414, which was amended to blank the appropriation, draw funds from the major disaster fund, and change the effective date to 2050, and S.B. 223, which would require fire breaks in hazardous fire areas and create or expand wildland fire prevention and protection programs with blank appropriations for FY 2026 and 2027. The committee also advanced S.B. 1009 on state reserve parking space enforcement, S.B. 1149 on reported hate crime definitions and reporting, S.B. 402 on mooring-line requirements for certain vessels, S.B. 1441 on the Oahu regional health care system transfer, S.B. 1442 on child and adolescent mental health responsibilities, S.B. 1478 on harbor evacuation orders, and S.B. 493 on written notice for emotional support animal sales or verifications. Members generally raised little opposition, and most measures were adopted without reservations. Some bills drew brief discussion or committee-report notes, including S.B. 1149, which referenced a Hawaii Civil Rights Commission report encouraging policy-level hate crime data reporting, and S.B. 1442, which was amended with a far-future effective date and a committee-report note about whether mental health services should be expressly subject to funding. S.B. 1441 was substantially revised to require a memorandum of agreement between the Oahu Regional Health Care System and the Department of Health by November 30, 2025, with patient care to begin by December 31, 2025, and a report to the legislature before the 2026 session. The committee also considered several finance and energy-related measures. S.B. 897 on the wildfire liability trust fund prompted questions about whether costs would be passed to consumers; the response was that the proposal contemplated cost sharing and that some amounts were still blank. S.B. 1395 and S.B. 1396 were amended to remove special-fund structures, direct revenues into the general fund, and require the governor to include equivalent amounts in the executive budget for climate-related projects. S.B. 501 was amended to expand step-in agreement provisions for future PPAs and establish a fund outside the State Treasury, and S.B. 1589 was amended so private donations to the stadium authority would go into the NID special fund for stadium infrastructure and sod, with members discussing accountability and the source of stadium-related consultant spending. The committee adopted the recommendations on all measures considered, with some members noting reservations on a few bills, and one item, S.B. 1418, was deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

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• 22:18.240><c> Aya</c><00:22:19.200><c> in</c><00:22:19.440><c> which</c><00:22:20.159><c> a</c><00:22

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The Economic Development Technology Committee met on April 17, 2025, to hear STR 121, a resolution to form a working group to explore legalized gaming in Hawaii. Supporters, including DBED, labor representatives, and some industry interests, argued the measure would allow the state to gather more information, consider economic growth, job creation, investment, and tax revenue, and include a range of viewpoints before any final policy decision. Several supporters emphasized that a working group would help ensure informed decision-making and community input. Opponents argued that legalized gambling would disproportionately harm low-income residents and Native Hawaiians, increase addiction and related social harms, and bring crime, corruption, and human trafficking. Some cited examples from other states, illegal game rooms in Hawaii, and concerns that gambling revenue would be limited while social costs would be high. Others said the conversation should be led by local communities rather than industry stakeholders, and one testifier requested community representation on any working group for a potential stadium-area project. The committee also heard from witnesses who framed the measure as a way to address money leaving the state and to create a regulated alternative to illegal gambling. No vote or final action on STR 121 was taken during the hearing, and the chair noted the committee would need to adjourn in time for floor session if the hearing ran long.