Transcript Highlights:

• Sadly, these cases are only 19% of the estimated 2,000 cases of missing children each year.
• children's cases with 182 cases of children's cases with 182 cases of missing<00:48:57.440> Kanakamali
• When we deal with cases on the eighth floor, which is where these cases are processed on Aahu at the
• When we deal with cases on the eighth floor, which is where these cases are processed on Aahu at the
• When we deal with cases on the eighth floor, which is where these cases are processed on Aahu at the

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. SB 1296 HD1, relating to disaster recovery, would exempt reconstruction of lawfully constructed structures damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster from special management area permits under certain conditions. OPSD, DLNR, the County of Maui, Front Street Recovery, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, saying it would speed rebuilding after disasters like the Maui fires; one witness noted the bill would not cover shoreline parcels unless amended, and members asked about the five-year rebuild window, the meaning of “lawfully constructed,” and whether unlawful structures were excluded. Testimony was also heard on SB 1413, which would allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to dispose of abandoned property in federal public housing projects after notice and within five days; HPHA said the bill would help address illegal dumping and clarify procedures. SB 31 HD1, concerning discriminatory restrictive covenants, was briefly described and had support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and comments from the Uniform Law Commission, with no in-person testimony. The committee then heard SB 1341, which would add HEMA and the Office of Homeland Security to agencies allowed to review energy industry information and would expand the program’s emergency-management purpose. The Hawaii State Energy Office supported the measure, saying the data is important for emergency response and fuel-supply planning. SB 10008 HD1 would authorize counties to adopt ordinances enforcing accessible parking space requirements and clarify county enforcement of EV-related parking provisions; the Disability and Communication Access Board strongly supported the accessible-parking provisions, saying current enforcement is weak, while noting section three on EV spaces is already largely in statute and could be struck if the committee preferred. Tina Yamaki of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition. Finally, the committee heard SB 1028 SD1 HD1, which would eliminate fees, fines, and court costs for offenses committed by minors, discharge existing related debt, limit community service for minors to 72 hours, and repeal certain penalties tied to minors and their parents or guardians. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council, Community Alliance on Prisons, and DebtFree Justice Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that youth fines burden families, worsen poverty, and disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian youth. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments, raising possible constitutional title issues because the current draft incorporates material from HB 129 and includes sections that may relate more to restitution or curfew than to fines and fees; supporters responded that the title is sufficient and cited case law. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I Case >> yes.
• <04:00:08.800> Chairman, the case. Mr. Chairman, the case. Mr.
• And if somebody has a case or can come up with a case, I would stand corrected.
• republic, not a popularity contest. republic, not a popularity contest.
• We've got into a popularity contest.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, consecutive sentencing is limited for cases involving repeated injury to children, elderly or
• This bill was originally filed due to a case in my district.
• Um, I would say, um, in, in those cases are vetted carefully, um.
• What we are saying is you just can't interfere with their ability to investigate a case.
• Oftentimes these interference cases, they turn into resisting cases. That is additional officers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that will turn it into a minimum two-year process because of the contested case hearing nature, the
• And that will turn it into a minimum two-year process because of the contested case hearing nature, the
• And that will turn it into a minimum two-year process because of the contested case hearing nature, the
• > um, the contested case hearing nature, um, the contested case hearing nature, um, the<00:29:
• > case<00:30:14.399> situations do see some contested case situations do see some contested

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting, beginning with roll call and introductions of members and participants in the room and on Zoom. The chair emphasized Sunshine Law transparency, noted the meeting was on September 11, and opened public testimony on the orientation report. No one testified in person or on Zoom, and the chair observed a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11 before moving into the agenda. The chair then reported on several orientation presentations given statewide between July 18 and September 5, including meetings with transit-oriented development, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber, and the Capo Chamber of Commerce. The main presentation item was a detailed overview from Kauaʻi County on its permitting process. County staff explained that zoning and building permits are handled separately on the outer islands, with zoning focused on form, character, and compatibility, and building permits focused on health and safety. They described a two-tier zoning system: ministerial permits that are automatically approved if not acted on within 30 days, and discretionary permits that go to the planning commission and can become lengthy contested cases if there is intervention. They also discussed special management area review in coastal areas, which can add time, and explained that building permits must conform to what was approved in zoning. Kauaʻi County staff also outlined the building permit process, including online and in-person submission, coordination with planning, engineering, water, wastewater, health, and fire agencies, and the county’s fully electronic review system using ProjectDox and related software. They noted that applicants are encouraged to check zoning, water, wastewater, and floodplain issues before hiring someone to prepare plans, especially for homeowners. The county shared permit and utility statistics and said the public can check permit history through Click2Gov. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; after the Kauaʻi presentation, the chair opened a question period for members.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that case, an appropriate notice will be posted.
• cases, so this is usually outside of the purview of our office.
• It is very difficult to have a positive outcome of your case, even if you have a solid case.
• even if you have a outcome of your case even if you have a solid<00:26:15.600> case<00:26:16.600
• have a positive outcome of their case have a positive outcome of their case increases<00:26:25.559

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 22, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration detainers. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, the Office of the Public Defender, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, argued the bill would protect due process and constitutional rights regardless of immigration status. Some supporters requested amendments, including removing a probable-cause terrorism provision, adding enforcement language, and preserving warrant requirements. Public testimony was heavily in favor, with the chair announcing 91 testimonies in support and 52 in opposition. The committee then heard HB 73, which would prohibit setting aside public lands for immigration detention facilities. Testifiers in support said public land should serve local needs, not detention centers, and cited housing, food security, and community trust concerns. The Office of the Public Defender and others also supported the measure, and the chair reported 85 testimonies in support and 40 in opposition. The committee next took up HB 438, which would fund legal representation for people in immigration proceedings. Supporters, including the Public Defender, the University of Hawaiʻi Law School Refugee and Immigration Clinic, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU, emphasized the civil nature of immigration court, the severe consequences of removal, and the need for more pro bono and trained attorneys. Several suggested amendments focused on training and building a legal-services pipeline; the chair reported 83 testimonies in support and 51 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 457, aimed at requiring notice to detained individuals about their rights when ICE seeks to interview them or has a detainer request. Supporters said the bill would ensure people understand their right to remain silent and to refuse interviews, and the Legal Clinic suggested the warning be given orally, potentially via recorded messages, rather than only in writing. The Office of the Public Defender noted the bill aligns with existing due-process warnings in criminal court and suggested referencing current law. Finally, HB 476, which would raise the capital gains tax rate, drew support from Hawaiʻi Appleseed on fairness grounds; the Department of Taxation said it would review revenue questions but had no estimate available. After recess, the committee returned to decision-making and moved HB 22 forward on the chair’s recommendation of HD1, with the chair noting that the bill already contained language allowing counties to adopt stronger standards and protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:26:54.160> Court<01:26:54.440> of contested case hearing with the Court of contested
• For those cases that are likely very old, very old, non-violent, and basically the cases that are most
• non-violent, and basically the cases non-violent, and basically the cases that<01:32:59.240>
• <01:33:12.600> likely<01:33:12.960> to And cases that are very likely to And cases
• are being used for the cases that need are being used for the cases that need them.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Public Safety Policy Conference Committee met on May 8, 2026, with all conferees present. The chair opened with decorum instructions, explained that the meeting was policy-only, and noted that no public testimony had been signed up. Members then introduced themselves, with several noting they were retiring at the end of the session or year. The committee adopted a series of provisions, mostly by unanimous voice vote, including House language on identity theft and financial crimes updates, supervision abatement and restitution considerations for corrections, protective-order enhancements for murder penalties, prediction markets, victim-notification requirements for plea and sentencing hearings, research data privacy, ignition interlock and impaired-driving license changes, DOC licensing and sanctions for juvenile/adult community-based residential facilities, criminal-conviction employment and licensing standards, jail medication procedures, domestic abuse law changes, and a grant-use extension for dual-status/crossover youth funding. Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, while others updated law to address AI-related identity theft, foreign protective orders, victim privacy, and corrections oversight. The committee also heard discussion on a Senate provision allowing victims of domestic violence to petition for wireless account and phone-number transfers. A witness supported the concept but urged changes to better align the state language with existing federal law; members noted the issue might need another vehicle or further work. For the domestic abuse item, staff explained that an A15 amendment would later adjust the warrantless-arrest window from 28 days to 14 days. On the jail-medication item, a member emphasized the changes were clarifying and not an admission that last year’s law was flawed. All adopted provisions passed by voice vote without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them was to make sure that the child support enforcement agency would be a party in cases where
• One of them was to make sure that the child support enforcement agency would be a party in cases where
• <00:14:58.440> thank was going to handle these cases thank was going to handle these cases
• constitutional statutory as well as case constitutional statutory as well as case law<01:03:55.160
• guilty to requireed the AG if he contest guilty to requireed the AG if he contest the<01:25:26.560

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard SB 1231, which would repeal the Parentage Uniform Act of 1973 and update Hawaii’s parentage laws, including parts of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. Supporters said the current statutes are outdated and do not adequately address assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and modern family formation. The Attorney General’s office supported the bill with technical amendments, including conforming changes to the Probate Code and child support provisions, and several testifiers urged passage as a needed modernization of the law. A major point of disagreement was Part 10, which concerns donor anonymity. Some supporters, including members of the task force, the Uniform Law Commission, fertility and family law practitioners, and LGBTQ+ advocates, backed the bill as written or said it should move forward even if Part 10 is removed. Others, including donor-conceived adults, parents, and advocacy groups, opposed Part 10 and urged the committee to adopt the 2024 version of Article 9 or delete Part 10 entirely, arguing that anonymous donation harms donor-conceived people’s access to genetic, medical, and identity information and that anonymity is not realistic in the DNA-testing era. One task force member and attorney said she supported the bill but preferred removing Part 10 if necessary to pass the rest. The hearing included extensive public testimony both in support and opposition, with many individuals describing personal experiences with adoption, IVF, surrogacy, and donor conception. No committee vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But again, it's all about money in all those cases. So let's take this case.
• It's not like a robbery case, for instance.
• Just in case anybody was falling asleep.
• What were the outcomes of the cases?
• And I would say that the cases that exist already, they do provide, and I'll give the case sites, but

Bills: S0164, S0656, S0892

Keywords: wrongful death, unborn child, civil liability, medical provider, parental rights, habitual felony offenders, violent crimes, enhanced penalties, criminal justice, recidivism

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing Florida’s high victim counts, the role of online recruitment, common victim and trafficker profiles, and several case examples involving sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and interstate trafficking. She highlighted Miami-Dade’s task force model, partnerships with law enforcement, schools, businesses, and shelters such as Camillus House’s Project Phoenix and the Thrive Clinic, and said the office relies heavily on technology, training, and victim-centered prosecution. Members asked about school-based trafficking, warning signs, social media platforms, and information-sharing about offenders across states; Fernandez-Rundle said more training and better interstate communication are still needed. The committee then took up CS for SB 656, which would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Funding Program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a timely tool to combat online child exploitation and was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related violent offender designations by clarifying notice and clemency-related paperwork requirements; it too was reported favorably unanimously. The remainder of the meeting focused on SB 164, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to recognize unborn children in civil law and allow recovery when a pregnancy is lost due to another’s negligence. Opponents from the ACLU, reproductive rights groups, medical insurers, and domestic violence advocates argued the bill is overly broad, could function as fetal personhood legislation, and could expose doctors, friends, family members, businesses, and abusive partners to lawsuits while chilling medical care, IVF, and pregnancy-related treatment. Supporters from pro-life organizations urged broader language and stronger protections for unborn children. No vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• TEA or whatever the case may be, uh, uh, any agency where they've been the analysts.
• Then this bill wouldn't apply in that case, right?
• You're exempt from the bill in that case. Wow. It's late. Em, any other comments?
• Have you thought about extending the statute of limitation in these particular cases?
• Senator Campbell moves that House Bill 367 be recommended for the local and non-contested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024 alone, we participated in 78 contested cases and 37 projects before the PUC, and our litigation
• Now OPEC's primary focus is litigation, and when utilities request a rate case increase, the cost of
• As a result, rate case expenses, which include legal and technical expert fees, ultimately show up on
• Although both might be the case, both could be the case. OK.
• There are some that are sort of, there are test cases coming up around the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is easy to Squat on a property whose owner has died because the owner does not contest the right to
• but if you look at the second handout, uh, and sometimes an ISD will seek back to back, this was the case

Transcript Highlights:

• advantage of this situation. to squat on a property whose owner has died because the owner does not contest
• This was the case in Portland. Hold on just real quick, Judge.

Bills: SB1277, SB1531, SB2452, SB2520, SB2521, SB2529, SB2538, SB2539, SB2541, SB2873

Keywords: municipal sales tax, street maintenance, local option tax, Tax Code Chapter 327, sales and use tax, street repair, sidewalk maintenance, water infrastructure, wastewater system, stormwater system, local election, ballot language, reauthorization, municipal finance, infrastructure funding, Texas municipalities, street and sidewalk tax, special district tax, public works, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• case.
• The comptroller on. any contest or appeals would have the final say over the program.
• By clarifying that an appeal to the comptroller is not a contested case.
• Whatever it might have been. be the case.
• In some cases, it may mean a booklet. with larger font, it could mean more time to take the test.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because if there's a textbook case about...
• I want to know exactly what happened in this case by 10 o'clock today.
• I was never given any information about the investigation on the case.
• You said the county attorney, did they open a case? Did they file a case?
• We're thinking about how egregious these cases are, and it's very difficult.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:55.800> called<00:24:56.600> uh, passed the case called uh, passed the case
• ,<01:03:56.960> um but in this particular case, um but in this particular case, um what<01
• For example, notice and a right to a contested case hearing.
• contested case hearing. contested case hearing.
• , to do that, you would get In that case, to do that, you would get In that case, it'd<01:24:36.680

Bills: SB2607, SB2031, SB2043, SB2623, SB2876, SB2396, SB2964, SB2089

Keywords: landscape architecture, licensure, educational requirements, examination, professional standards, consumer protection, junk fees, live-event tickets, short-term lodging, transparency, pricing disclosure, deceptive practices, insurance, captives, regulations, policyholders, SB2623, Hawaii pharmacy law, Board of Pharmacy, registered pharmacy technician

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 168 and HR 158, which would create a temporary working group to study utility capacity, coastline infrastructure lifespan, and the costs of needed expansions. Public Utilities Commission staff said the commission was not the right entity to direct all of the work because it lacks authority over many affected agencies. Members discussed whether the study should be limited to a coastal area or broadened to the whole island, and in decision-making the committee amended the measure to focus on the County of Honolulu, correct references to the Public Utilities Commission, and revise the working group membership to include the PUC chair, legislative designees, and directors or designees from DLNR, DOT, HIEMA, and DCCA Consumer Advocacy. The committee then passed both resolutions with amendments; the vote was adopted unanimously, with some members excused. The committee next considered HCR 145 and HR 137, which would convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division stood on its written comments, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission supported the intent, and the Attorney General opposed the measure, warning that a working group could create discoverable materials that might complicate the state’s climate litigation and noting a technical ambiguity in the reference to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund administrator. After questions about discovery and the lawsuit, the committee amended the resolutions to replace the administrator reference with the chair of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Board of Directors, remove the Attorney General as convener while keeping the office as a member, and have the working group share findings and recommendations with the House CPC and Senate CPN committees instead of issuing a report. The committee passed the measures with amendments, with Rep. Martin voting with reservations. In the later agenda, the committee heard SB 2607, SD 1 on landscape architect licensure. The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects supported the bill, explaining it modernizes licensure requirements to align with national standards and clarifies the profession’s design-focused role. The bill was discussed as distinguishing landscape architecture from groundskeeping and from civil engineering drainage work. No opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 2031, SD 2 on consumer protection and price transparency for live ticket events and short-term lodging. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill, saying it largely mirrors an FTC rule requiring all-in pricing and would give the state enforcement authority and remedies. The Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill as drafted and sought a limited exemption for credit card issuers relying on third-party hotel information, while the Hawaii Hotel Alliance supported the measure but asked for language deeming compliance with the federal rule sufficient for short-term lodging. Committee members questioned whether those proposed exemptions would conflict with federal law or weaken state enforcement, and the discussion focused on preemption, liability, and the value of state remedies such as restitution.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just heard another member make a statement which, while I'm not going to contest the statement that
• I want to contest the statement that was I want to contest the statement that was just<00:28:06.240><

Bills: HF3475, SF3832, HF3508, HF3917, HF3404, HF3593

Keywords: agriculture, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment relief, agriculture support, food production, economic relief, investment, relief initiative, farm support, medication repository, drug donation, healthcare, Minnesota Statutes, pharmacy, public health, controlled substances

Transcript Highlights:

• Morgan has placed in the top five in horticulture, entomology, and FCS skill-a-thon contests numerous
• President, her proudest moment in 4-H is ending up top three in the state judging contest. Mr.
• She also competed in district 4-H contest and received the high point individual in horticulture.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These students participate annually in an essay contest. This year's theme Department.
• These students participate annually in an essay contest.
• , which I'm going to start listening to music now, the heck with talk radio in general, but in any case
• And we know that's not the case here. We only have 6 million people in Wisconsin.
• that is the number one thing I'm hearing from everybody: they were shocked to see 20%, 25%, in some cases

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Lara** (member_12714) is very familiar with us, so we send kids on field trips if they win a contest
• Contest to go to Orlando, and the culinary group out of Gadsden, we help finance a trip, uniform donations
• In the case of our industrial base, it's our water, wastewater system. That is our Achilles heel.
• And on page 22, in case everyone hasn't looked at that, he has defined some of his asks.
• we’re carrying, ensuring that we also keep our tracks safe, but we also have these partnerships in case

Transcript Highlights:

• from the budget because maybe teacher pay raises already happened at one point, or what might be the case
• And so this year, actually, because of TIA, and it wouldn't be the case without it, Dallas ISD is able
• Art and Writing Contest.
• The alignment of instruction, assessment, and contest only promotes student success.
• So, again, we have Chandra Villanueva, Mia Volk, and Becky Callahan, in case someone is sitting in over

Bills: SB26, SB 26

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, SB 26, Texas Property Code, colonia, colonias, Spanish translation, bilingual contract, real estate contract, executory contract, residential property, border county, international border, economically distressed area, consumer protection, language access, translator certified in Spanish