Transcript Highlights:

• Our macroeconomic consultant, S&P Global Market Intelligence, released their baseline forecast to us
• S&P Global Market Intelligence predicts that some of that momentum will carry into 2025.
• Consequently, S&P Global Market Intelligence's forecast for real GDP growth has been revised downward
• This chart shows S&P Global Market Intelligence's forecast of the annual inflation rate, measured by
• S&P Global Market Intelligence projects CPI inflation will remain elevated at an annual rate of about

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> State</c><00:16:29.240><c> ban</c> appropriation<00:16:34.639><c> welcome</c><00:16:35.079><c> s<
• green and M and Mr chair I am months s green and M and Mr chair I am going<01:16:09.520><c> to</c><01
• greina next is uh well thank you s greina next is uh Senator<01:22:19.480><c> um</c><01:22:20.120><c>
• one more question yeah thank you was S one more question yeah thank you so<01:26:19.480><c> um</c><01
• is there anyone from DNR here to it s is there anyone from DNR here to talk<01:38:41.719><c> about</c

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:15.520><c> on</c><00:01:15.680><c> that</c><00:01:15.799><c> Senator</c> everything Senator 's
• on that Senator everything Senator 's on that Senator AER<00:01:16.680><c> Senator</c><00:01:17.240><
• Yeah, you mentioned two big ones that you said that, yeah, those are S S David and a Frasure, Frasure
• s s David and said that yeah those are s s David and and<01:27:49.600><c> a</c><01:27:50.080><c> frasure
• /c> as to the question as to why uh the we s as to the question as to why uh the we s Sky<01:28:43.000

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill is S. 1878, House No. 2825, House No. 41, an act relative to the Smart Plan.
• Second bill is S. 1879, an act expanding access to retirement savings.
• My thanks for the opportunity to be here today in regard to H. 2889 and S. 1805, an act relative to regional

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public service and retirement-related bills. Senator Kelly Dooner and Rep. O’Rourke supported a Taunton home rule petition to extend Chief Walsh’s service during the city’s transition to a new public safety facility, citing the need to manage new equipment, cameras, and 911 systems smoothly. Senator Lovely testified in favor of bills expanding retirement savings access through the SMART Plan and the CORE Plan, arguing that automatic enrollment and broader eligibility would help state, municipal, and nonprofit workers save for retirement. No questions were raised on the Taunton petition, and the hearing later moved through the remaining testimony without any votes taken during the transcript. Mary Waldron of the Old Colony Planning Council and Jeffrey Walker of the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District urged support for legislation protecting regional planning agencies from being required to make retroactive payments to the State Retirement Board for past employer contributions. They warned that the costs would be unsustainable, could force layoffs or closures, and would jeopardize their ability to provide transportation, housing, economic development, and planning services. Bill Keith and Patrick Charles of PEREC testified on several retirement administration bills, including measures to ease statement-of-financial-interest filing rules, require payment for certain creditable service purchases, and clarify the definition of wages to include sick, vacation, and personal time; committee members asked questions about regional transit authorities joining retirement systems and about adding local retirement board representation to a proposed commission. Jonathan Osimo and Rob Fabino of the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System supported bills to penalize delinquent pension reporting by employers and to create a special commission to study retirement credit purchases, saying better reporting would improve retirement processing and that a broader review could improve fairness and sustainability. Eddie Boynton of the Braintree Education Association backed the SMART Plan bill, describing how automatic enrollment and low-fee fiduciary oversight could protect educators from high-cost supplemental retirement products. Matthew Nugent testified for a bill to divest public pension funds from firearms and ammunition. After the final witnesses, the chairs asked if anyone else wished to testify, heard none, and then adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to share my feedback on Senate Bill S-1412.
• I am in full support of Senate Bill S-1412 because it seeks to remedy the illegal actions taken to harm
• There is an S-Barr report that kind of breaks down pretty simply what the issue is going on in one of

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• A reporter bill asadu pass 11 to1 p re s ent il ke thank you Mr. Chair.
• Ro S an reports, your bailout is due past 13-0. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, committee.
• S may in here. San lancett, would you like to present your bill?

Bills: HB2650 , HB3277 , HB3386 , HB3419 , HB3430 , HB3742 , HB3791 , HB3835 , HB3905 , HB3968 , HB4119 , HB4153 , HB4408

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Keywords: probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, vehicle inspection, title registration, salvage vehicles, ownership, Oklahoma Statutes, evictions, forcible entry, mediation, residency proof, children, housing law, corruption, nonpublic information, government accountability, criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, A&S recommendation, which HHS agrees with, is to pass with amendments to include the University of
• A&S recommendation, which HHS agrees with, is to pass with amendments to include the University of Hawaiʻi

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee met for decision-making only on HCR 33, which concerns the Pūpūkea sewage project. The resolution recognizes ongoing collaboration among Hawaiʻi County, the Pūpūkea community, the Department of Health, and other stakeholders to complete the project. The A&S recommendation, which the Health and Human Services committee supported, was to amend the resolution to add the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo as a stakeholder and resource for research, environmental monitoring, and technical assistance in planning and implementation. There was no discussion or opposition raised before the vote. The committee voted to pass the resolution with amendments, with the chair, acting vice chair, and Senator Fevella voting aye; the vice chair and Senator Keohokalole were excused. The chair’s recommendations were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's hearing is focused on two late-filed bills received by the committee: S. 2927 and H. 5012, An
• to speak today and taking me out of order for the opportunity to testify in support of H. 5012 and S.
• your attention to this important topic, and I respectfully ask for a favorable vote for H. 5012 and S.
• and your attention to this important topic, and I respectfully ask for a favorable vote for H-5013 S-

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education held a hearing on two late-filed bills, S. 2927 and H. 5012, titled An Act Relative to Students Accessing Food and Nutritional Information, filed by Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Michelle Badger. The bills would require schools to make clear, centralized online information available about gluten-free and allergen-free meals, including menus, food safety procedures, and contact information, so students with celiac disease and other medically necessary dietary restrictions can safely participate in universal school meal programs. Committee members and the bill sponsors emphasized that the measure is intended to improve transparency, equity, and access within the Commonwealth’s universal free breakfast and lunch program. Testimony came from students, parents, physicians, and advocates, many of whom described celiac disease as a serious autoimmune condition requiring a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. Witnesses said families often struggle to find reliable school meal information, and that lack of communication between school administrators, nurses, and food service staff can lead families to opt out of school meals even when safe options exist. Medical witnesses from Boston Children’s, Mass General, and Beth Israel said the bill addresses a real barrier identified in research and could help prevent health problems, missed school, and long-term complications from gluten exposure. Several witnesses also noted that the bill’s approach could benefit students with food allergies more broadly. Committee members praised the testimony, especially from young student witnesses, and discussed practical issues such as cross-contamination, 504 plans, and whether schools already have the underlying information needed to comply. One member suggested the Department of Public Health might be able to address some of the issue through regulations, similar to a prior restaurant allergy-protocol change. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee closed after hearing from all panels and the bill sponsors, who asked for favorable consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• AA1 from Moody's, AA plus from both S&P and Fitch, and this is not accidental.
• That is why I rise in support of S-3064.
• Today I rise in support of S. 3064, specifically the investment it makes in coastal zone resilience.
• Now I ask you for your support on S. 3064. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed student ambassadors from Robinson Middle School in Lowell, and adopted several resolutions honoring the Gaudet family and Patricia Rappucci. Members also agreed to extend the reporting deadline for the Health Care Financing Committee on House No. 5505 and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a condominium-related petition to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. The chamber then dealt with Senate No. 2619, the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act. The House did not concur with the Senate’s position and instead appointed a committee of conference. It also took up Senate No. 3064, the major climate and infrastructure bond bill known as the Mass Ready Act, which Ways and Means reported with a House amendment. After debate emphasizing resilience, clean water, PFAS remediation, coastal protection, agriculture, and municipal preparedness, the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, the House considered and overwhelmingly approved a conference report on H. 5511, the early literacy and teacher preparation bill. Supporters said it would require evidence-based reading instruction, restrict three-cueing methods, expand educator training, and support paid teaching apprenticeships. The report was accepted 152-0. The House then returned to S. 3064, adopted a consolidated amendment, and passed the bill to be engrossed by a vote of 151-0, before adjourning to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• higher-ups caught the fact that the motion was made by somebody who was not in attendance for March 6's
• So we're going to reapprove March 6's minutes And that apparently is a no-no.
• So we're going to re-approve March 6's minutes along with the minutes from March 11th, 12th, and 13th
• Typically, I do a disclaimer about my inability to read writing, but yours was so clearly an S that I

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• S-1263 is a simple yes.
• S-1263 outlines best practices regarding life safety, S-1263 outlines best practices regarding life safety
• Vote yes on S-1263, no on H-583. Thank you, ma'am. Committee, any questions? Thank you, ma'am.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners: Donna S. Guthrie, Belair.
• Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners: Donna S. Guthrie, Belair; Ms. Deborah J.

Bills: SB2

Summary: The Senate received a message from the Governor submitting appointments for advice, consent, and confirmation, including nominees to the Texas State Board of Accountancy and the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners. The Senate also read Senate Bill 2 by Creighton and others, which would establish an education savings account program for K-16 education, and referred it to committee. During the meeting, Senator Zaffirini offered a motion to have all remarks made for the election of the President pro tempore reduced to writing and entered into the journal. There was no objection, and the motion was adopted. The Senate then considered a motion to adjourn until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28. With no objection, the motion carried and the Senate adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners: Donna S. Guthrie, Belair.
• Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners: Donna S. Guthrie, Belair; Ms. Deborah J.

Bills: SB2 , SB2

Summary: The Senate received a message from Governor Greg Abbott asking for the Senate’s advice, consent, and confirmation on several appointments, including nominees to the Texas State Board of Accountancy and the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners. The chamber also handled first reading and referral of Senate Bill 2 by Creighton and others, which would establish an education savings account program for K-16 education. The Senate adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to have all remarks made for the election of the President pro tempore reduced to writing and entered in the journal. No objection was heard to that motion. Finally, Senator Zaffirini moved that the Senate adjourn until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28. With no objection, the Senate adjourned as requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• pass unamended any discussion<00:29:38.919><c> chair</c><00:29:39.200><c> vot</c><00:29:39.440><c> s<
• /c><00:29:40.799><c> 735</c><00:29:41.720><c> to</c><00:29:41.960><c> pass</c> discussion chair vot s
• HB 735 to pass discussion chair vot s HB 735 to pass unamended<00:29:42.720><c> all</c><00:29:42.880>
• amended any amended any discussion<00:32:38.840><c> uh</c><00:32:39.000><c> CH</c><00:32:39.480><c> s<
• /c><00:32:40.279><c> HP</c> discussion uh CH s HP discussion uh CH s HP 1462<00:32:42.679><c> pass</c

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Summary: The committee met in decision-making only and first took up HB 300, the Senate majority budget package. The chair described the bill as a response to economic uncertainty and reduced revenue forecasts, and outlined a wide range of appropriations and staffing changes across state agencies, including agriculture, education, health, public safety, housing, labor, natural resources, and corrections. The package emphasized one-year funding for many new programs, vacancy reductions, and investments in services such as preschool, mental health, wildfire mitigation, cybersecurity, public access, and workforce development. HB 300 was recommended to pass with amendments and was adopted unanimously, with members voting yes and no reservations noted only as procedural responses. The committee then acted on HB 794 and HB 795, both recommended to pass with amendments by changing the defective date to 2050; both measures were adopted without discussion. On the 101 agenda, HB 400, the Judiciary budget bill, was recommended to pass with amendments. The bill included vacancy reductions, security funding, permanent staffing for several court and justice programs, and support for civil legal services, immigration-related services, and technology licenses. HB 400 was adopted. HB 410 was also adopted with amendments and a defective date change to 2050. On the 102 agenda, the committee passed several bills either unamended or with targeted amendments. HB 3, HB 134, HB 177, HB 237, HB 648, HB 713, HB 735, HB 1391, and HB 1462 were passed unamended. HB 214 passed with amendments expanding eligibility for retired employees to fill labor-shortage or succession-planning positions, including certain management positions excluded from collective bargaining; one member raised concerns about school resource officers and community fit, which the chair said could be addressed in the committee report. HB 441 passed with amendments to direct cigarette tax funds to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a discussion about whether e-cigarettes should be included. Other measures passed with amendments included HB 448, HB 667, HB 727, HB 740, HB 806, HB 1020, HB 1345, and HB 1365, generally involving date changes, blank appropriations, or technical language. HB 1391 was adopted with a reservation from Senator Kim. The meeting concluded with HB 1462 adopted unamended.

Transcript Highlights:

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• as important uh for the issue before us as important uh for the issue before us on<00:05:11.360><c> S<
• /c> on S on S sp534<00:05:13.240><c> we</c><00:05:13.360><c> will</c><00:05:13.720><c> make</c><00:05
• S. Ta, or do we wait for question? Okay. Uh, can you wait? Do you know who you want?
• /c> testimony and strong opposition to S testimony and strong opposition to S sp534<02:21:19.760><c>

Summary: The joint hearing of the Water and Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing committees on January 29, 2025 focused on SB 534, with the chairs outlining hearing procedures, public testimony limits, and plans to allow extended presentations from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) before moving to other testifiers. The hearing was presented as a public, transparent discussion of OHA’s plans for Kakaʻako Makai, with committee members noting that decision-making would follow if time permitted. OHA testified in strong support of SB 534. The chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees said the bill was a novel proposal for the legislature and emphasized that OHA was bringing together a broad coalition of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from construction, hospitality, education, law enforcement, civil service, and schools, as well as longtime community advocates who have opposed development in Kakaʻako Makai. OHA’s presentation reviewed the history of the area, the creation and role of HCDA, prior master plans, the 2012 land conveyance to OHA, and the argument that OHA has not been able to realize the full economic value of the lands because desired entitlements were not secured. OHA linked the bill to its constitutional mission to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians and argued that the state’s housing crisis makes additional development, including residential use, especially important. A major theme of the testimony was housing. OHA argued that Hawaiʻi faces severe affordability pressures, out-migration, and workforce shortages, and said that residential development in Kakaʻako Makai would help address those needs while also supporting the value of the trust lands. The presentation described HCDA’s authority over zoning and development in Kakaʻako, the existing reserved housing requirements, and the need for a master plan that could move forward if SB 534 becomes law. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the discussion remained in the presentation and testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• other</c> you very much members any other you very much members any other questions<00:03:29.799><c> s<
• ><c> I'll</c><00:03:30.519><c> defer</c><00:03:30.840><c> to</c><00:03:31.120><c> the</c> questions s
• /c><00:03:50.200><c> count</c> bargaining with comments s count bargaining with comments s count Pulu
• Arts</c><00:09:20.959><c> is</c><00:09:21.079><c> to</c><00:09:21.320><c> pass</c><00:09:21.560><c> s<
• SP 396 with and the Arts is to pass s SP 396 with amendments<00:09:24.720><c> chair</c><00:09:25.000>

Summary: The joint committees on Labor and Technology, Transportation, and Culture and the Arts heard testimony on Senate Bill 396 and Senate Bill 47, then later the Labor and Technology committee took up Senate Bill 136 and Senate Bill 1523. SB 396 drew support from the Metropolitan Planning Organization and others, with a question raised about implementation costs; the director said costs would depend on the scope of the benefit package and the transportation mode involved. The committees recommended passing SB 396 with technical amendments and added appropriation language with a blank amount, and the motion was adopted by recorded votes in both committees. SB 47, which would designate the Lunar New Year as a state holiday, received support from the Office of Collective Bargaining and several individuals, including Charlene Chun, who spoke about family traditions and cultural recognition. Members asked about the cost and whether the day would be a paid day off for state employees; the response was that observance would be subject to collective bargaining. The committees moved SB 47 forward with amendments, noting the collective bargaining and cost issues, and adopted the recommendation by vote. In the Labor and Technology committee, SB 136 on the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund drew strong support from iron workers and related supporters, who argued the bill was about safety, training, and keeping dismantling work within the ironworkers’ trade. Several other unions, including operating engineers, carpenters, laborers, and plumbers and fitters, opposed the bill as too broad and potentially infringing on their jurisdiction. The measure was not decided in the portion provided, but members discussed possible amendments and jurisdictional concerns. SB 1523, which would expand private-sector collective bargaining rights under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and others under NLRB jurisdiction, received broad labor support, including from IATSE, AFL-CIO, Hawaii Nurses Association, Unite Here Local 5, and many individual testifiers. Supporters framed it as protecting workers’ rights and strengthening labor protections, while the Hawaii Labor Relations Board warned it could significantly increase workload and require more staffing, space, and operating resources; the board estimated the bill could expand its caseload substantially and suggested an appropriation would likely be needed. The committee then moved on to the next measure, SB 1440, before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh we'll keep going here I collector s uh we'll keep going here I did<00:54:39.760><c> notice</c><00:
• um Mr chair s uh I'm pretty<01:04:01.920><c> sure</c><01:04:02.160><c> that</c><01:04:02.279><c> I</
• /c> what does that say Thank you Mr chair s what does that say Thank you Mr chair s KAC<01:21:37.560>
• /c> start the job because he needed to go s start the job because he needed to go s swi<01:36:53.760>
• /c> uh s uh s mun<01:48:57.360><c> thank</c><01:48:57.520><c> you</c><01:48:57.639><c> very</c><01:48

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:23:34.200><c> a</c><00:23:34.400><c> co-sponsor</c><00:23:35.240><c> of</c><00:23:35.440><c> s<
• /c><00:23:35.679><c> sp4</c> in support and as a co-sponsor of s sp4 in support and as a co-sponsor of
• s sp4 the<00:23:36.240><c> cacer</c><00:23:37.200><c> legislation</c><00:23:38.200><c> Innovation</c
• :03:41.119><c> clear</c><01:03:41.760><c> that</c><01:03:41.880><c> an</c><01:03:42.039><c> out</c> s
• /c><01:15:56.560><c> sp14</c><01:15:57.360><c> as</c> to speak in opposition of s sp14 as to speak in

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an immigration attorney and post-J fellow with the William S.
• Our clinic, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, is one of the clinical programs at the William S.
• </c><00:39:34.640><c> Richardson</c> programs at the William S.
• Richardson programs at the William S.
• S that's why I'm angling these name plates slightly so folks know who's Thank you very much.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the impact and legality of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Hawaii, with Chair Carl Rhodes framing it as the sixth and final interim briefing in a series on the rule of law and local effects of federal actions. He said the discussion would focus on due process concerns, questioning and detention of citizens and lawful immigrants, free speech issues, and pressure on state and local law enforcement, and noted the issues may be revisited in the 2026 regular session. There was no public testimony or committee vote; only invited speakers presented. Dr. Amy Agayani opened by arguing that immigrants are integral to Hawaii’s history, economy, and communities, and contrasted that with what she described as harmful narratives portraying immigrants as criminals. She cited figures that one in five Hawaii residents is foreign-born, that immigrants make up about 20% of the labor force and over 27% of entrepreneurs, and that roughly 40,000 people in Hawaii are undocumented, many of whom may have pathways to legal status but face language, information, and court barriers. She also said federal enforcement has expanded beyond undocumented immigrants to include citizens and lawful residents, and warned that attacks on birthright citizenship and visa categories could affect many families. Matina Mock of the legal clinic emphasized the complexity of immigration law and the severe lack of legal representation, noting a nationwide backlog of 11.3 million immigration-related applications and 3.4 million court cases, plus about 1,400 pending immigration cases in Honolulu with only two immigration judges. She said Hawaii has only six or seven nonprofit immigration legal service providers, and that represented clients are far more likely to obtain relief. Mock described a recent case involving a lawful student visa holder who was transferred among multiple federal facilities before being brought to Honolulu without clear notice, which she said illustrated due process violations. She also said ICE activity in Hawaii has sharply increased, with about 150 arrests from January to July 2025, a 380% increase over the same period in 2024, and that many detainees have no criminal record. Stephanie Haro Sevilla and another clinic fellow described 2025 enforcement as a major shift driven by a January executive order, the end of prior limits on arrests in sensitive locations, and arrest quotas they said require 3,000 arrests per day nationwide. They said this has led to arrests without warrants or probable cause, broader targeting of people with minor offenses or no criminal history, and the use of resources from other federal agencies and local law enforcement for civilian immigration enforcement. They also said the federal detention center in Honolulu is holding roughly 40 to 80 civilian detainees on any given day, often in conditions they characterized as prison-like, and warned that the current escalation could eventually affect lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The speakers urged the public to support immigrant-rights advocates and local protective policies and funding measures.

Transcript Highlights:

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• ><00:12:41.320><c> SP</c><00:12:41.600><c> 897</c><00:12:42.600><c> sd3</c> that you please pass uh s
• SP 997 which is also a bill original s SP 997 which is also a bill that<02:28:43.279><c> we</c><02:28
• SP 997 so on um page four lines 11 in s SP 997 so on um page four lines 11 to<02:28:56.000><c> 12</c>
• SP 997 st3 chair's voting on S SP 997 st3 chair's recommendation<02:29:48.200><c> is</c><02:29:48.319

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later. The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.