Transcript Highlights:

• Fair for that entire time and the Western Idaho Fair, and I served on the Hawaii County Fair Board for
• And really I think part of the discussion too is, and I was actually on the Hawaii County Fair Board,
• Part of the discussion too is, and I was actually on the Hawaii County Fair Board, when there was some
• major changes that happened in Canyon County that caused us a lot of issue in Hawaii County because
• Vast numbers of people were trying to leave Canyon County to come show in Hawaii County, and we just

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Brandon Makaava, vice president, Nation of Hawaii. Good afternoon.
• Brandon Marva, Vice President, Nation of Hawaii.
• Good afternoon, recess. president, nation of Hawaii. president, nation of Hawaii.
• </c> President, Nation of Hawaii. President, Nation of Hawaii.
• </c> into play in in the state of Hawaii into play in in the state of Hawaii &gt;&gt; putting<00:15:44.399

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a big part of what our Good Jobs Hawaii created.
• They then register in the University of Hawaii system.
• They then register in the University of Hawaii system.
• </c> happening across the state of Hawaii happening across the state of Hawaii who's<00:32:09.840><c>
• </c> collaborates with the state Hawaii collaborates with the state Hawaii Department<02:06:19.679><c

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Operation Hire Hawaii the very next day. Operation Hire Hawaii the very next day.
• </c> Operation Higher Hawaii uh positions. Operation Higher Hawaii uh positions.
• </c><00:35:19.760><c> Hawaii.
• It it seems Operation Hawaii Hawaii.
• employers in Hawaii, city and county,<00:39:23.920><c> judiciary,</c><00:39:24.800><c> DOE,</c><00:39

Summary: The House Committee on Labor held an informational briefing on August 22, 2025, to receive an update from DEH on statewide recruitment efforts aimed at reducing vacancies across state departments. Director Hashimoto, joined by DEH staff, presented on two hiring initiatives: Wikiwiki Hire and Operation Hire Hawaii. The committee focused on how each program works, how quickly applications are screened and referred, and how the programs differ from standard recruitment procedures. For Wikiwiki Hire, DEH described it as an accelerated recruitment pathway used mainly for classes with multiple vacancies. DEH screens applications every two weeks, then sends qualified applicants a list of participating departments and recruiter contact information so applicants and departments can connect directly. Committee members asked about effectiveness data, timelines, and whether the process aligns with the merit principle. DEH said the program is intended to speed hiring, that departments are not required to interview every person on a list, and that applicants can be hired as vacancies are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so long as all qualified applicants have the same opportunity. DEH also said it could provide data later and that it is working through a backlog of screenings. The committee then discussed Operation Hire Hawaii, an executive-order-based hiring effort launched in February to expedite hiring, including for displaced federal workers but open to all applicants. DEH reported more than 6,000 applications, 127 recruitments, 81 closed recruitments, and 142 hires, with a goal of conditional offers within two weeks. DEH said it turns applications around daily, while departments do the initial screening, interviews, and hiring decisions, with DEH completing final qualification screening and suitability checks at the end. Members asked about the program’s duration, its low conversion rate, and what happens to applicants who are not hired; DEH said it can refer qualified applicants to other vacancies and that the pilot was originally intended to run about a year, with possible extension if departments want it to continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County, District 88. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Lady from St. Louis County District 88.
• from Cole County, Annette Boniker from Jefferson County, Melinda Piper from Barton County, and Paul
• Michael Shaw from Pemiscot County.
• Those are Arizona and Hawaii.
• Louis County.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and a long series of introductions recognizing student groups, interns, FCCLA and FBLA participants, a Missouri Rural Water Association delegation, medical students, family guests, and legislative assistants. Members also highlighted the Tipton Lady Cardinals girls basketball state championship team and several job-shadowing students from across the state. Announcements included committee meetings and a Missouri Department of Conservation Earth Day tree-seedling giveaway in the rotunda. On legislation, the House received committee reports recommending passage of several measures, then took up House substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bills 3068 and 3049. Members discussed the bill as a vehicle for multiple bipartisan provisions, including public safety, AI, trafficking training, and other topics; opponents raised concerns about anti-trans language and the bill’s breadth, while others defended it as a package of widely supported items. The House passed the measure 117-10 with 17 present. The chamber also truly agreed to and finally passed Senate Bill 914, dealing with soil analysis/perk test issues, by 108-34 with one present, and Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1142, a Secretary of State business filing measure for series LLC certificates of good standing, by 142-0 with one present. The most extended debate was on House Bill 1758, a daylight savings time trigger bill. The sponsor argued Missouri should lock in daylight savings time if the federal government authorizes a nationwide change, to avoid neighboring states forcing Missouri into standard time and to support tourism, safety, and economic activity. Supporters cited health, mental health, family, and business benefits, while opponents argued for standard time, raised concerns about children, circadian rhythms, and prior failed experiments, and questioned the federal-state authority issues. After extensive discussion and a point of order, the House ordered House Bill 1758 perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• [clears throat] >> Hawaii Pacific University. I teach Hawaii. Hawaii. Hawaii. Yes. Yes. Yes. Kaho.
• University of Hawaii Hilo. University of Hawaii Mānoa.
• Hawaii P20, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Teachers Standard Board.
• University of Hawaii Mānoa.
• Hawaii P20, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Teachers Standard Board. >> Uh, Mānoa in peace.

Transcript Highlights:

• We kicked the can down the road too long. wanted to rent in Hawaii and it was wanted to rent in Hawaii
• At one time in Hawaii, our counties built a new classroom every three days.
• Super simple. time in Hawaii, time in Hawaii, our<01:30:27.040><c> counties</c><01:30:27.520><c> built
• And um, Hawaii Teacher stability.
• </c><01:50:44.800><c> However,</c> can get licensed in Hawaii. However, can get licensed in Hawaii.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, we have the Hawaii Firefighters Association. Celest on Zoom?
• Director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
• </c> you thank you we have a Hawaii you thank you we have a Hawaii leet<00:21:23.120><c> has</c><00:21
• </c><00:44:22.160><c> uh</c> 1586 okay relating to the Hawaii uh 1586 okay relating to the Hawaii uh
• </c><00:44:40.599><c> state</c> up next we have the Hawaii state up next we have the Hawaii state Teachers

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The joint hearing covered Senate Bills 470, 828, 730, and 1383. SB 470 would create a deferred retirement option program for police officers. The Employees Retirement System warned it could worsen the system’s $14.1 billion unfunded liability by stopping employer and employee contributions during the DROP period, and the Attorney General raised possible tax-qualified status, Internal Revenue Code, and age-discrimination concerns. Police and other supporters testified in favor, but the committees ultimately recommended deferring the bill indefinitely. SB 828 would expand workers’ compensation medical benefits for firefighters to cover an additional respiratory condition. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Hawaii Firefighters Association supported the measure, citing occupational exposure and health risks. The committees recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted by both committees. SB 730, which concerns allowance on service retirements, drew support from the Department of Human Resources Development and the Department of Law Enforcement, but also comments from the Attorney General and ERS. DHRD said the bill could help recruitment and retention but requested more time to work on language with ERS, Budget and Finance, and the AG’s office. The committees postponed decision-making until Friday, February 7, at 3:15 p.m. in Conference Room 225. SB 1383, relating to fire protection, received broad support from the Governor’s office, Department of Defense, DLNR, Hawaiian Electric, and others. The committees agreed to pass it with amendments, including language suggested by the Hawaii Insurance Council on wildfire-related insurance issues and a committee report link to the Lina fire forward-looking report, phase three. The amended recommendation was adopted by both committees. Later in the meeting, the committees also heard SB 1360 and SB 1361 on ERS administrative and reporting matters, SB 340 on HLRB enforcement authority, and SB 997 on energy; SB 1360 and SB 1361 were presented as housekeeping measures, SB 340 drew disagreement between the Attorney General and HLRB over enforcement authority, and SB 997 was amended to incorporate prevailing-wage renewable energy rate language from SB 743 and then passed with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:16.079><c> I</c> Hawaii in terms of culture and arts.
• I Hawaii in terms of culture and arts.
• So, um, I guess I've had my pulse on the pulse of arts in Hawaii.
• So, um, I guess I've had my pulse on the pulse of arts in Hawaii.
• So, um, I guess I've had my pulse on the pulse of arts in Hawaii.

Summary: The committees met on a 3:00 p.m. agenda that included House Concurrent Resolution 94 and several gubernatorial nominations. HCR 94, which asks the governor to proclaim Hawaii a Purple Heart State on August 7, 2025, drew support from the Hawaii Veterans of Foreign Wars and no opposing testimony. The chair recommended passage as is, and the committees adopted the recommendation without objection. The bulk of the meeting focused on nominations to the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, along with one nomination to the Medical Advisory Board. Nominees and supporters emphasized experience, continuity, and service: Dana Alla Lopez, Beverly Lee, and others described prior commission work; Janet Sato and Marcia Deutsch highlighted long involvement in arts education, grants review, and public art; and Randall Francisco stressed arts advocacy and accessibility. Testimony in support also came from commission staff, the Association for Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development, the mayor of Kauai, and others. One nominee, Judy Kvel Kovville, had support from the Department of Transportation. Several committee members raised broader questions about sustaining arts funding amid possible federal cuts and changes in state project financing that could reduce revenue under the 1% for art law. The nominees for the arts-related posts said they were open to exploring new funding sources, including private philanthropy, community support, and learning from other states. After discussion, the committee voted to advise and consent on all listed nominations—GM506, GM507, GM508, GM556, GM654, GM740, GM742, and GM743—with no votes or reservations, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:17.000><c> Julia</c> Hawaii Julia Hawaii Julia alof<00:04:19.239><c> welcome</c><00:04:19.560>
• Third reading of Senate Bill 1624, Senate Draft 1, relating to the University of Hawaii.
• Third reading of Senate Bill 1624, Senate Draft 1, relating to the University of Hawaii.
• Waiʻanae continues to face challenges and has been labeled as the dumping ground of Hawaii.
• </c> independence of the Hawaii independence of the Hawaii Nation<01:03:32.119><c> today</c><01:03:32.680

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so, um as our Hawaii Realtors.
• </c> HHRF, the Hawaii hurricane relief fund. HHRF, the Hawaii hurricane relief fund.
• Uh, next we have Hawaii Executive Collaborative Climate Hawaii in support.
• Jeff Molina with Climate Hawaii.
• Eliza Talbet with AES Hawaii.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Hawaii received 188 million 892,439 dollars and 75 cents.
• Our physician for the state of Hawaii.
• So as uh Claudine mentioned, I have come to Hawaii many times before.
• So as uh Claudine mentioned, I have come to Hawaii many times before.
• areas of Hawaii for 5 years.

Bills: HB2246 , HB2119 , HB1929 , HB1953 , HB1572 , HB2549 , HB2594 , HB2551 , HB2595 , HB2548 , HB2459 , HB1931 , HB1604 , HB1616 , HB1736 , HB2233 , HB2241 , HB1891 , HB1803 , HB2567 , HB2534 , HB2399 , HB2172 , HB1595 , HB1811 , HB2168 , HB1780 , HB1781 , HB1785 , HB2122 , HB2012 , HB2398 , HB1779 , HB2296 , HB1894 , HB1925 , HB2019 , HB1896 , HB2294 , HB2298 , HB2300 , HB2344 , HB2345 , HB2391 , HB2037 , HB2201 , HB1941 , HB1635 , HB1943 , HB2325 , HB1926 , HB2490 , HB1710 , HB2545 , HB1976 , HB2173 , HB1804 , HB1563 , HB2015 , HB1619 , HB2475 , HB1889 , HB2367 , HB2187 , HB1765 , HB1452 , HB2231 , HB1700 , HB1705 , HB1626 , HB1897 , HB1642 , HB1523 , HB2593 , HB815 , HB1655 , HB1596 , HB1732 , HB1842 , HB2476 , HB2478 , HB2022 , HB1588 , HB2575 , HB1163 , HB2153 , HB772 , HB1519 , HB2050 , HB2309 , HB2147 , HB2329 , HB2274 , HB2280 , HB2547 , HB2275 , HB2452 , HB2306 , HB2148 , HB2088 , HB1764 , HB2438 , HB2117 , HB1860 , HB2604 , HB2118 , HB2017 , HB2155 , HB1832 , HB2216 , HB1601 , HB1934 , HB2297 , HB2397 , HB1893 , HB2533 , HB1890 , HB2454 , HB2004 , HB2427 , HB2207 , HB1810 , HB1840 , HB1644 , HB1645 , HB1946 , HB1648 , HB2324 , HB2323 , HB1509 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB2164 , HB2165 , HB2283 , HB1691 , HB2386 , HB2423 , HB2121 , HB1984 , HB1593 , HB1671 , HB2619 , HB1481 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB1643 , HB2558 , HB1864 , HB1898 , HB2214 , HB2167 , HB2488 , HB2009 , HB2007 , HB322 , HB1964 , HB2218 , HB2616 , HB1535 , HB1574 , HB1977 , HB2054 , HB2046 , HB146 , HB2094 , HB2181 , HB2250 , HB2515 , HB2444 , HB2385 , HB1740 , HB1724 , HB1733 , HB1799 , HB1725 , HB2049 , HB2161 , HB1970 , HB2519 , HB1790 , HB2416 , HB1873 , HB2001 , HB2151 , HB1603 , HB1880 , HB1753 , HB2198 , HB1511 , HB1991 , HB2546 , HB1615 , HB1939 , HB2140 , HB2429 , HB1870 , HB1850 , HB1782 , HB2137

Transcript Highlights:

• This hearing is also being streamed on the Hawaii State Senate's YouTube channel.
• Chief of Police from Maui County is John Pelor, in opposition.
• </c><00:21:19.159><c> correctional</c> coordinator of the Hawaii correctional coordinator of the Hawaii
• The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission— Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission.
• Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on January 29, 2025, and first took up deferred SB 259 on record keeping. The chair said Honu Police Department had submitted support, and the committee recommended passage with amendments, including a technical change to the effective date on page 4, line 6 to July 1, 2077. Vice Chair Elefante voted yes; Senators Fevella and Rhoads were excused; the recommendation was adopted. The committee then heard SB 603 and SB 608, both relating to veterans benefits consulting and compensation. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to address First Amendment, Contracts Clause, and savings-clause issues, and testimony was mixed, with several supporters from veterans-related organizations and several opponents, including some testifiers from the public and industry groups. The committee later adopted chair recommendations to pass both bills with amendments, including preambles about protecting veteran consumers from misleading or unfair practices, savings clauses, and effective-date changes to July 1, 2077. SB 601, relating to law enforcement search notices and securing entrances, drew support from the Office of the Public Defender and a private citizen who described the bill as a response to warrantless searches and a transparency measure; there was also opposition from Maui County police and one other testifier. The committee then moved to SB 871 on arson, where the Department of the Attorney General raised drafting and constitutional concerns and the Public Defender opposed the measure as vague, overbroad, and creating problematic sentencing provisions, while HPD supported it as a public-safety tool. The chair ultimately recommended SB 871 pass with amendments softening mandatory language, adding parole language, and changing the effective date to July 1, 2077; the recommendation was adopted. The final measures were SB 1130, exempting certain construction rebuilding materials from general excise tax in federally declared disaster areas, and SB 104, restricting solitary confinement in correctional facilities. The Department of Taxation requested third-party certification and a later effective date, and the committee adopted amendments reflecting those requests and moving the effective date to January 1, 2026. On SB 104, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed the bill, citing staff assaults and existing policy updates, while the Oversight Commission, Public Defender, and multiple advocates supported it as a safeguard with oversight and due process protections. The committee passed SB 104 with amendments, including adopting the commission’s definition language, changing terminology to “restrictive housing,” and setting the effective date to July 1, 2077.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schmidt is chief executive officer of Abaris Global and the former Hawaii State Insurance Commissioner
• We've seen activity here, but we've also moved to other states, specifically Hawaii for family reasons
• And we are familiar with different earthquake activities in a variety of states: California, Hawaii,
• And I'm not promoting Hawaii, but Hawaii is one of the biggest captive domiciles in the world, and they've
• And so I'm curious to know if you've seen either in the Hawaii market or in other places that you've

Summary: The committee heard a work session on earthquake insurance, beginning with background from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. OIC staff explained that earthquake and earth movement are generally excluded from standard property policies, that earthquake coverage is usually purchased through endorsements or standalone policies with high deductibles and relatively high premiums, and that surplus lines are a limited backstop market not covered by the state guarantee fund. They also described parametric insurance and captive insurance as more specialized products generally suited to commercial or governmental buyers rather than ordinary consumers. A second panel of insurance and banking experts focused on commercial earthquake exposure, especially for older buildings, collateralized loans, and potential knock-on effects to banks and consumers if a major quake caused widespread damage. Members asked about consumer impacts, mitigation incentives, inventories of vulnerable buildings, and whether legislation such as prior work on unreinforced masonry could help reduce risk. The Washington Bankers Association said earthquake insurance is expensive and that affordability is a major concern, while also noting banks participate in disaster-recovery planning and would be affected by major regional losses. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy on its cannabis and Initiative 502 research. WSIPP staff described the agency as a nonpartisan research institute that conducts legislative-directed studies and explained that its long-term I-502 assignment includes periodic reports leading to a final benefit-cost evaluation in 2032. Staff summarized findings from a 2023 report showing that cannabis possession convictions fell sharply after legalization, though some racial disproportionalities persisted, and that closer retail access was associated with higher reported adult cannabis use, more fatal traffic crashes involving drivers from nearby areas, and higher rates of cannabis use disorder diagnoses among Medicaid enrollees. A 2023 youth-focused report found that students attending schools near retailers were more likely to report cannabis use, had more unexcused absences, and were less likely to graduate on time. In the newest 2025 Medicaid study, staff said retail access was associated with higher probabilities of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, related hospitalizations, inpatient treatment, and co-occurring mental health diagnoses, with event-study analysis suggesting the increases appeared after retailers opened rather than before. Members asked about racial disproportionality, the meaning of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, THC and impairment, whether the findings reflected medical versus recreational use, and how the results should be interpreted in light of broader trends and data limitations. No formal committee action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is March 13, and we are here for the 9:00 a.m. agenda in Room 325 here at the Hawaii State Capitol
• The first testifier on the agenda today is the Hawaii Department of Education.
• Mahalo thank you next we each County Mahalo thank you next we have debed<00:16:47.199><c> good</c><00
• Next we have Agri-Business Development Corporation in support, Hawaii Farm Bureau.
• BR Meot here on behalf of the Hawaii Farm Bureau. We stand on our written testimony and support.

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii pring Authority we have the Hawaii pring Authority we have the administrator<00:00:58.160><c>
• We included the county of Maui, and Hawaii island is more outreach.
• We included the county of Maui, and Hawaii island is more outreach.
• We included the county of Maui, and Hawaii island is more outreach.
• We included the county of Maui, and Hawaii island is more outreach.

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony first from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson outlined short-term goals to reduce overcrowding, improve living and working conditions, fill vacancies, expand mental health services, and update the correctional master plan. He said the department is still dealing with severe overcrowding at facilities such as OCCC and HCCC, with 947 people at OCCC against a design capacity of 628, and noted 938 inmates are currently housed on the mainland because of temporary repairs at Halawa. He also reported progress on staffing, saying the correctional officer vacancy rate has dropped from 34.3% to 24% through expanded recruitment. The department’s major budget request was $30 million for planning and design for a new Old Triple C project, along with other requests for re-entry services, identification documents, security systems, radios, sink-toilet modules, and trauma-informed care. Members asked about the timing and scope of the OCCC project, courtroom space in new facilities, and the department’s plan to use the funding to improve re-entry and reduce recidivism. The committee then heard from the Department of Law Enforcement on a wide range of priorities. The department described requests to expand agricultural crime enforcement, traffic enforcement, illegal fireworks enforcement, and facilities such as a police building at the DKI airport, a state training center, and new police facilities in central and Leeward Oahu. It also discussed a major IT request for a statewide law enforcement and critical infrastructure notification platform, plus funding for grants management, the Wahiawa Civic Center and court complex, the prescription monitoring program, narcotics enforcement operations, and the narcotics lab. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed traffic enforcement program for commercial vehicle inspections, speeding, and DUI enforcement, which the department said would be funded with federal dollars and would operate concurrently with county police. Committee members questioned whether the effort duplicated county jurisdiction and how the program would be trained and staffed. Members also pressed the department on salary disparities for deputy sheriffs and related vacancies, and the department said the administration was working on a supplemental agreement and placeholder funding to address the issue. Additional discussion covered agricultural crime staffing, the Silver Alert program, and expansion of the forensic lab to handle explosives, firearms, and related evidence. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the meeting moved from the corrections presentation to the law enforcement budget review with questions and answers throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:30.280><c> works</c> All right, the next item on the agenda is HB 1093 HD1 SD1, relating to the Hawaii
• Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Hawaii Public Housing Authority.
• Um, we'll move next to SB 1413 SD1 HD2, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.
• who meet income requirements, government employees, members of the workforce, projects on state or county
• Government employees, members of the workforce, projects on state or county land, and projects requiring

Transcript Highlights:

• But I notice every county has CIP, but not Maui County. So my question is, are we up to par?
• Um I'm here circuit Hawaii island.
• <00:48:36.800><c> Supreme</c> the Constitution, the Hawaii Supreme the Constitution, the Hawaii Supreme
• </c> with other entities such as the Hawaii with other entities such as the Hawaii State<00:49:45.040
• :28.159><c> Against</c><01:40:28.480><c> Domestic</c> Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Hawaii

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 2095, which would provide supplemental appropriations for the Judiciary for the 2025-2027 biennium. Judiciary Administrative Director Brandon Kimura testified in strong support and outlined a request for about $6.4 million in supplemental operating funds, plus four permanent full-time position conversions. He grouped the request into security, services to court users, and staffing needs, including $3.25 million for supplemental armed private security at judiciary facilities statewide, nearly $200,000 for cybersecurity staffing and support, restoration of funding for substance use treatment purchase-of-service contracts, restoration of funding for the Office of Public Guardian on Kauaʻi, salary commission funding, a Kona court operations position, and two Court-Appointed Special Advocates positions converted from temporary to permanent. He also described five capital improvement requests totaling $55.4 million, led by $30 million for construction of a new South Kohala courthouse, $1.2 million each for air conditioning upgrades in Hilo and Kauaʻi, $15 million for elevator upgrades at Kahumanu Hale, and $8 million in lump-sum bond funds for emerging projects. Several organizations testified in support, including Parents and Children Together and the True Cost Coalition. Supporters emphasized the importance of the purchase-of-service funding for domestic violence and substance use treatment services and said the restoration would return funding to pre-COVID levels and help providers maintain capacity. Kimura explained that the Judiciary often shifts funds among contracts during the year to avoid service interruptions, but that the reduced funding has caused delays and operational problems for providers and probationers. Members asked detailed questions about the capital projects and operating requests. Representative Shimizu asked for more information on the lump-sum bond funds and the elevator project, and Kimura explained that the Kahumanu Hale request covers four remaining elevator shafts after earlier funding addressed the first five elevators. Representative Cochran asked about the absence of Maui County projects, and Kimura said the Judiciary is still planning for its older Maui facilities with DAGS. Chair Tarnas questioned the need for armed private guards and discussed whether court security should be prioritized within the Department of Law Enforcement; Kimura said the Judiciary needs additional personnel now and has not asked DLE to deprioritize other missions, though the chair suggested further coordination between the agencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resources and the Hawaii Invasive Resources and the Hawaii Invasive Species<00:01:32.560><c> Council.
• </c> just Hawaii. just Hawaii. &gt;&gt; Big<00:05:38.240><c> island.
• Next is Hawaii Farm Bureau.
• Brian Yamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau. >> The Hawaii Farm Bureau is in support. >> Hunter Havlin, Hawaii Farmers
• I'm with 350 Hawaii. We stand Pollock. I'm with 350 Hawaii.

Bills: SB2709 , SB3154

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The hearing began with SB 2709, which would require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules to enforce the Okami arrival program and strengthen quarantine enforcement for plants, non-domestic animals, and microorganisms. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the bill, as did DAB, saying it would improve biosecurity and make some provisions mandatory rather than optional. Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines supported the goal but raised concerns about language changing inspections from “may” to “shall” for aircraft, warning of possible federal preemption and operational conflicts unless the bill is clarified to align with federal aviation safety, security, and operational requirements. Committee members questioned DAB about inspection timing, scope, and compliance; DAB said the measure is intended to increase enforcement, improve form completion rates toward a 90% goal, and expand beyond airlines to other entry modes, while also noting plans to restore detector dog use and improve software/AI tools for processing forms. Decision-making on SB 2709 was deferred to February 17 at 3:02 p.m. in Room CR229. The committees then took up SB 3154, an administration measure authorizing the Department of Transportation to assume certain National Environmental Policy Act responsibilities for highway, rail, public transportation, and multimodal projects, with the aim of streamlining environmental review. DOT supported the bill and explained that it would allow the department to work directly with federal resource agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife and SHPO rather than routing everything through federal highways. After brief discussion, the Committee on Transportation voted to pass SB 3154 with technical amendments, and the AEN committee followed with the same recommendation; the measure was adopted with five votes in favor. A later portion of the transcript shifted to SB 2374 on the blue economy. DBED said it supported the concept but noted that it already sits on many working groups and would need resources if a new working group is created. DBED suggested the committee could instead request research through a letter or memo, and said agencies including ADC, HTDC, and Agriculture had already begun internal discussions. Testimony in support came from IMUA Alliance, Hawaii Food Policy, and others, emphasizing the potential for blue economy ventures to support survivors, align with climate and cultural goals, and create economic opportunity. No final vote on SB 2374 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> thank you okay thank you next up Hawaii thank you okay thank you next up Hawaii Department<00:14
• </c> name is Lindsay Garcia from Hawaii name is Lindsay Garcia from Hawaii Realtors<00:16:16.600><c>
• </c><00:29:39.760><c> does</c> attorneys fees and costs so Hawaii does attorneys fees and costs so Hawaii
• Next up, Hawaii Workers Center in support.
• Next up, Hawaii Realtors with comments. Thank you, Lindsay Garcia with Hawaii Realtors.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 5, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills. HB 918, relating to labeling, drew support from the Department of Health, INDA (the nonwoven fabrics industry), and Hawaii Realtors. INDA said the bill aligns with do-not-flush labeling laws in other states but raised a concern about the six-month compliance deadline tied to FIFRA approval. In response to committee questions, witnesses explained that the bill is aimed mainly at disinfecting wipes, that most products are already labeled nationally, and that the proposed timing issue could be addressed by using Oregon’s approach. No vote was taken on the measure during the portion shown. The committee also heard HB 1482, relating to controlled substances. HPD supported the bill, and Aloha Green Holdings and the Department of Health both said they supported the intent but recommended technical amendments. Their testimony focused on clarifying the treatment of Delta-8 THC, distinguishing synthetic or artificially derived cannabinoids from naturally occurring forms, and avoiding confusion in the hemp law. Members asked whether Delta-8 would show up on drug tests; witnesses said it would test positive for THC and would not be distinguished from Delta-9. The bill was then set aside as the committee moved on. HB 981, relating to attorney’s fees, drew opposition from a law firm representing homeowners and associations, which argued the bill would limit access to legal services, favor developers and contractors, and make settlement harder. The witness suggested instead using existing consumer-protection fee-shifting concepts, and committee members explored whether a capped fee award or a broader attorney-fee rule would be more appropriate. The committee then took up HB 807 and HB 336, both relating to condominiums. HB 807 received support from the Green Infrastructure Authority and the Hawaii Bankers Association, while one testifier urged deferral over unresolved questions about commercial PACE financing; the bank association asked for more time to work with HGIA, and the chair indicated decision-making could be deferred to allow that discussion. On HB 336, the Community Associations Institute opposed the bill as removing checks and balances, while the Hawaii Workers Center and others supported it as a step toward clearer enforcement of health and safety issues in condominiums and rental housing.