Transcript Highlights:

• let everybody know, all outstanding budget, project, proviso, back of the bill, implementing, and conforming

Summary: The Appropriations Conference Committee on Health and Human Services met to finalize a House offer on the budget, project, proviso, back-of-the-bill, implementing, and conforming items. Representative Drodha presented the House’s final offer, stating that the House accepted a long list of Senate Offer Number Two budget rows and Senate Project Offer Number Two rows, with the remaining items effectively resolved. After the offer was presented, the chair noted that all outstanding budget, project, proviso, back-of-the-bill, implementing, and conforming items were officially bumped. Members exchanged brief thanks for the collaboration and progress made during negotiations. No testimony or debate followed, and no further business was raised. Representative D'Roddy moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection. The chair also reminded members that the big chairs were still operating under the one-hour notice requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• STARTING POINT FOR THE BUDGET SPREADSHEET, PROJECTS PROVISO BACK OF THE BILL, IMPLEMENTING BILL AND CONFORMING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• number of provisions that are listed on page two of the bill's amendment summary where there's just conforming
• number of provisions that are listed on page two of the bill's amendment summary where there's just conforming
• number of provisions that are listed on page two of the bill's amendment summary where there's just conforming
• number of provisions that are listed on page two of the bill's amendment summary where there's just conforming
• number of provisions that are listed on page two of the bill's amendment summary where there's just conforming

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It relates to the organ transplant section and a conforming amendment that was made.
• record that hopefully we can work that piece out in the Senate so as to ensure that there is genuine conformity
• It relates to the organ transplant section and a conforming amendment that was made.
• record that hopefully we can work that piece out in the Senate so as to ensure that there is genuine conformity
• record that hopefully we can work that piece out in the Senate so as to ensure that there is genuine conformity

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened after a brief recess for Appropriations, approved the journal from February 9, 2026, and then moved to third readings. House Bill 1038, concerning county commissioner redistricting, drew opposition from Representative DeGraaf, who argued the bill was an unnecessary state intrusion and criticized its emphasis on diversity and representation. Despite that, the bill passed third reading 40-25. House Bill 1020, dealing with field drug tests in drug possession cases, passed unanimously 65-0. House Bill 1040, concerning the sterilization rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, prompted extensive debate. Supporters, including Representatives Bradley, Bottoms, Brooks, DeGraaf, and Garcia, said the bill strengthens consent protections, prevents forced sterilization, and addresses Colorado’s history of discriminatory sterilization laws. Several speakers also raised concerns about broader consistency in protecting minors and vulnerable people, and Representative Luck noted a related organ-transplant conforming amendment that he hoped the Senate would refine. The bill passed 65-0. The final bill discussed was House Bill 1003, modifying the small business recovery and resiliency loan program. Representative DeGraaf opposed it, arguing it would extend government-backed loans and debt under vague hardship criteria, increase inflation, and amount to taxpayer-funded plunder. During that exchange, the chair cautioned him about name-calling after he referred to colleagues as “emo reps.” The transcript ends during continued debate on the bill, before any vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that process, we realize that there are certain sections in our statute that need to conform to that
• sections in our statute that<00:46:38.800> needs<00:46:38.960> to<00:46:39.119> conform
• ><00:46:39.520> to<00:46:39.680> that<00:46:39.920> electronic that needs to conform
• to that electronic that needs to conform to that electronic filing.<00:46:40.720> So,<00:46:40.880
• So you're just conforming to what we already did. Yeah.

Bills: SB2444, SB2446, SB2450, SB2453, SB2461, SB2457, SB2462, SB2313, SB2528, SB2532, SB2571, SB2678, SB2529

Keywords: real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, he really appreciates what we're trying to do here because it conforms a lot of what he's
• And, you know, he really appreciates what we're trying to do here because it conforms a lot of what he's
• c><00:51:04.520> it we're trying to do here because it we're trying to do here because it conforms
• 05.559> what<00:51:05.680> he's<00:51:05.839> doing<00:51:06.359> and conforms
• a lot of what he's doing and conforms a lot of what he's doing and also<00:51:06.880> he<00:51

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• projects, And we have an offer for you this evening relating to the budget, to projects, and to conforming

Summary: The conference committee on the House Justice Budget Subcommittee and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to continue budget negotiations. Members discussed offers related to the budget, projects, proviso, implementing language, and conforming language for House Bill 5403E, with both sides noting progress and expressing hope for timely responses so more items could be closed out. They also referenced ongoing efforts to finalize agency funding and member projects. No public testimony or public comment was offered. Members were reminded that the committee is now on a one-hour notice schedule for the next meeting. With no further business, Senator David Smith moved to rise and adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• projects, And we have an offer for you this evening relating to the budget, to projects, and to conforming

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• projects, And we have an offer for you this evening relating to the budget, to projects, and to conforming

Summary: The conference committee on the House Justice Budget Subcommittee and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to discuss budget-related negotiations, including projects, proviso items, implementing language, and back-of-the-bill provisions tied to House Bill 5403E. Members exchanged offers and noted that progress had been made on closing out projects, with both sides expressing optimism that additional items could be resolved with more time. Senate and House members thanked each other and staff for their work and indicated they would continue reviewing offers and preparing responses for a later meeting. No public testimony or public comment was offered. The committee reminded members that future meetings would be on one-hour notice. With no further business, Senator David Smith moved to rise and adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• starting point for the budget spreadsheet, projects, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, and conforming

Summary: The Appropriations Conference Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development/Transportation and Economic Development convened, organized itself by electing Senator DiCeglie as chair and Representative Schofield as vice chair, and noted that Representative Schofield was excused from the meeting. Members were directed to conference materials on the meeting webpage, including the budget spreadsheet, projects, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, and conforming bill, which show each chamber’s starting positions. The Senate presented an initial offer to the House. The chair explained that gray rows on the budget spreadsheet indicated items already agreed to, while black-highlighted rows reflected the Senate offer. A separate offer was also presented for general revenue local funding initiatives, with black-highlighted rows marking the Senate position. The committee noted that road projects were not being negotiated at this time and would be addressed later. Representative Snyder responded that the House would review the offer and continue working under Chair Schofield’s leadership to resolve budget issues and move toward a balanced, responsible budget. No public comment was offered. The meeting was then adjourned, and members were told to watch for the next meeting notice, with the committee now on one-hour notice.

Transcript Highlights:

• new language, which is inclusive of the word "Rehabilitation," which is in the statute, and then conforming
• statute uh and then conforming statute uh and then conforming amendments<02:27:12.160> appear<
• 02:27:30.560> uh adolescence uh um so that we are uh adolescence uh um so that we are uh conforming
• c> these<02:27:31.520> amendments<02:27:32.399> in<02:27:32.560> other conforming
• these amendments in other conforming these amendments in other parts<02:27:32.960> of<02:27:33.080

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard Senate Bill 1322, SD2, HD1, a comprehensive measure revising Hawaii’s mental health code. The bill would clarify emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization procedures for people who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and deemed imminently dangerous, expand notice requirements, allow certain information-sharing for assisted community treatment petitions, and add liability protections for emergency responders and providers. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill as a collaborative update to the law, while the Department of Health asked for a copy of provider-generated emergency transport documentation within five days for data and planning purposes. Testimony was sharply divided. Queen’s Health System, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, HHSC, and the Institute for Human Services supported the measure or parts of it but requested amendments, including clarifying whether a second psychiatric exam is required, restoring a 72-hour rather than 48-hour stabilization window, and adjusting where patients are taken when an MEO cannot be reached. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi strongly opposed the bill, arguing it weakens due process and civil liberties, especially around involuntary commitment, assisted community treatment, emergency transport by police, and reduced procedural safeguards; it urged the committee to hold the bill and consider an interim working group. Louie E.K. of the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center also opposed the bill, focusing on immunity from negligence, the use of police for transport, and the reduction of a three-provider review to one in state-hospital treatment orders. Other testimony included support from an individual who said the bill could improve mental health care delivery amid provider shortages, and a comment from Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center warning that the substance use portion of the bill lacks evidence of effectiveness and could be misused. In response to committee questions, the Attorney General’s office said the measure was developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including state agencies, hospitals, the ACLU, HHSC, and IHS, and that it aims to make assisted community treatment more accessible and effective by streamlining the legal process and improving consequences for noncompliance. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And will amend the bill to reflect the amendments, make other conforming amendments, and make it effective

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on Friday morning and considered one bill for decision-making, SB 1285. The bill would establish the offense of operating a vehicle while impaired, set penalties, and require the Department attorney to submit a report to the legislature. The chair recommended passage with amendments, including a new section that would automatically suspend the license of a person arrested for driving under the influence while allowing the person to contest the suspension through the existing ADLRO administrative process. The amendments would also make conforming changes and set an effective date of April 23, 2057. After no questions or concerns were raised, the committee voted to adopt the recommendation and pass SB 1285 SD1 with amendments. The recorded votes were in favor from Chair Roads, Vice Chair Woods, Senator Chang, and Senator Sand Vura, with Senator A excused. The measures were adopted, and the meeting then moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• TED conference budget spreadsheets, projects, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, and conforming

Summary: The House Budget and Senate Appropriations Conference Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to organize the conference and begin budget negotiations. Members unanimously adopted motions naming Representative Schof as chair and Senator DeSigley as vice chair. The committee was presented with the initial side-by-side comparison of the TED budget materials, including spreadsheets, projects, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, and conforming bill, along with a House offer to the Senate. The House explained that gray rows on the spreadsheet indicate items already agreed to, while black-highlighted rows show changes in the House offer intended to move closer to Senate positions. The Senate chair said the first offer would take time to review and that the Senate team would study it and respond soon. No public comment was offered. Members were reminded that the committee was on one-hour notice for the next meeting, and the conference adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the House, including positions for the budget proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, conforming

Summary: The conference committee for the House Justice Budget Subcommittee and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Civil and Criminal Justice convened to organize its work on the budget conference process. Senator Garcia nominated Representative Meini as chair and was then nominated and approved as vice chair; both motions were adopted without objection. Members exchanged brief opening remarks expressing appreciation and a desire to work collaboratively to finalize the conference report. The chair explained that the House had provided the Senate with the original conference documents, including positions on the budget proviso, back-of-the-bill language, implementing bills, and conforming bills, all previously voted on by each chamber. The House also presented an offer on the budget proviso and back-of-the-bill language, with the chair noting that it attempted to move closer to the Senate on several issues. Senator Garcia said the Senate would review the offer. No public comment was offered. Senator Simon moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• conference starting point on our budget spreadsheet: proviso, back of the bill, implementing and conforming

Summary: The conference committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government convened and was formally organized by adopting motions naming Senator Brodeur as chair and Representative Esposito as vice chair. Members were welcomed, and the committee was reminded to keep phones off and to remain on one-hour notice for a possible quick reconvening. The main discussion centered on the Senate’s first budget offer and the conference budget spreadsheet, including proviso items, back-of-the-bill provisions, and implementing and conforming bills. Senator Brodeur explained that many items were already agreed to and grayed out, while highlighted yellow items reflected areas where the Senate had moved closer to the House position in a good-faith effort to narrow differences. The House indicated it would review the Senate offer and respond at the next meeting. There was no public comment or additional committee business. The committee then adjourned without objection after Senator Truenow’s motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• points for the budget spreadsheet, projects, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, and conforming

Summary: The Appropriations Conference Committee on Health and Human Services/Health Care convened, organized itself, and adopted motions naming Senator Trumbull as chair and Representative Andrade as vice chair. The chair explained that conference starting-point documents for the budget spreadsheet, projects, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, and conforming bills were posted for reference, showing each chamber’s positions as they came off the floor. The Senate presented an offer to the House on the budget spreadsheet, projects, proviso, and back of the bill. The chair said blue rows reflected items already agreed to, while yellow-highlighted rows showed the Senate’s offer, and described the proposal as a good-faith effort to move toward the House position. Representative Andrade said the House would review the offer and respond within a few hours. There was no public comment. Members were reminded to watch for notice of the next meeting, with one-hour notice expected, and the committee adjourned without further business or votes beyond the organizational motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Collins makes a motion to allow staff to make technical and conforming adjustments related

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS THAT SHOW BOTH POSITIONS FOR BUDGET PROVISO BACK OF THE BILL IMPLEMENTING BILL AND CONFORMING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd have to talk to Jeff Beard and find how many are conforming with the calendars right now.
• And I'm thinking more of the student than I am conformity of the districts.
• conforming with the calendars right now. conforming with the calendars right now.
• <00:53:20.880> of of the student than I am conformity of of the student than I am conformity
• <03:26:43.120> with that the IEPs are in conformance with that the IEPs are in conformance

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 209, which would require schools seeking building aid for construction or reconstruction projects to use an owner’s project manager. The chair explained an amendment that would remove the bill’s requirement that the manager be engaged before application and instead revert to current law, while updating the project threshold from the older $1 million figure to a more current amount and clarifying that the manager’s role is to protect the project owner’s interests. Members asked about the cost of hiring a project manager over several years before a project is funded, the 1.5% fee in rule, and whether the rules already define the manager’s duties. The chair said the amendment addressed those concerns by leaving the timing to current law and relying on existing administrative rules for qualifications and responsibilities. The committee then voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 209 OTPA, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then moved to SB 99, which concerns allowing students enrolled in career and technical education programs at receiving comprehensive high schools to take additional academic courses there. The chair said the bill was intended to make it easier for students to access CTE without being blocked by scheduling conflicts in their sending schools, and to clarify how agreements between sending and receiving districts would work. He described concerns about the bill’s cost formula, transportation, part-time versus full-time status, and whether the proposal could unintentionally create open-enrollment or athletic-transfer issues. He said the amendment would mirror existing treatment for homeschool and charter school students, use a familiar funding model, and limit participation to students already enrolled in one or more CTE classes at the receiving school. The chair also emphasized that comprehensive high schools already have a statutory definition and that the bill would help more students participate in CTE, which he said currently reaches only a relatively small share of students statewide. He noted that transportation would be covered only when a CTE bus is available, otherwise students would be responsible for arranging travel as under current practice. After brief discussion, the committee voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 99 OTPA, also placing it on the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• We remember and honor transgender lives and gender non-conforming individuals whose lives were taken

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a brief acknowledgment of Transgender Day of Remembrance, with remarks honoring transgender and gender non-conforming individuals and reaffirming a commitment to safety and dignity for all. The chamber then took up several Election Laws committee reports involving local validation and ratification measures, including legislation to validate the proceedings of the Millbury annual town meeting and Senate 2679, which ratifies acts and proceedings related to Plymouth town meeting and actions by Plymouth officials. The Senate ordered the Millbury bill to a third reading and likewise ordered Senate 2679 to a third reading. It also considered reports from the Committee on Rules of the Two Branches recommending suspension of Joint Rule 12 for several Senate petitions, and the Senate voted to suspend the necessary rules so the matters could be considered forthwith and referred to their respective committees. One measure was passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor for approval. After a brief recess, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn until Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned accordingly.