Transcript Highlights:

• We stand in strong support of SB 423, SD1, and thank the committee for hearing this bill last year.
• So again, thank you very much, Chair, for hearing this measure, and we really appreciate it.
• We thank you for hearing this bill.
• So on that note, thank you for hearing this bill.
• Aloha, can you guys hear? Aloha, Chair Woodson, Vice Chair Lea, and members of the committee.

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with testimony largely in support. SB 1388 and SB 1393, both concerning the School Facilities Authority and Department of Education representation and land conveyances, received support from DOE and the School Facilities Authority, with no questions or action taken. SB 423, which would add Head Start representation to the Early Learning Board, was supported by the Early Learning Board and the Executive Office on Early Learning, which explained the bill would realign the board with federal Head Start Act requirements after the board was restructured in Act 170; EEL also requested an effective-date amendment. SB 422, allowing DOE to award diplomas to students whose education was disrupted by war, drew support from DOE, the Chamber of Commerce, the Military Council, and the Special Education Advisory Council, but also significant opposition from the Hawaii Patriot Republicans and many individuals; members asked questions about the bill, and DOE explained the measure’s purpose, but no vote was taken. The committee also took testimony on SB 532, which would expand who may administer certain medications in schools. DOE, the Department of Health, and the University of Hawaii supported the bill. Members asked detailed questions about oral, nasal, and topical medications and the process for prescription review and administration; DOE explained that parents request the medication, a school form is completed, a nurse reviews it, and either a trained school health assistant or a contracted nurse administers the medication. DOE said the measure could improve attendance and learning, especially for students with ADHD, asthma, and other chronic conditions. The committee then heard SB 659 on locally sourced food products and school meals, where DOE’s procurement office opposed the higher small-purchase threshold and DOE exemption from procurement rules, while Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others supported the bill as a way to advance farm-to-school goals and the 30% local food target by 2030. Testimony and questioning focused on the proposed threshold increase, transparency, and whether an online bidding system would be preferable. Finally, the committee heard SB 1300 on subsidies for ALICE families’ school meals. DOE supported the bill but requested amendments: defining eligibility at 250% of the federal poverty level, delaying implementation until the 2026-2027 school year, and covering reduced-price lunch students in full for 2025-2026. HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and others supported the measure, emphasizing food insecurity, the burden of meal paperwork, and the educational importance of free meals. Hawaii Appleseed suggested replacing ALICE with a federal poverty level standard and removing a rulemaking requirement that could delay implementation. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so with that, we will get our hearing underway.
• </c> same thing I did on the previous hearing same thing I did on the previous hearing that<00:26:41.200
• </c><00:29:27.559><c> on</c> next one that you're about to hear on next one that you're about to hear
• Do you hear me? Thank you. Please say your name. My name is Robert Sato.
• We're going to adjourn the 10 a.m. hearing, and then I will gavel in for a 10:30 a.m. hearing for decision

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hoping to hear back from the governor soon, and so I'm here in support of this bill.
• Thank you for your testimony. ancestors or to even hear our needs what ancestors or to even hear our
• Okay, hearing none. Sure, can I call um P?
• Hearing nothing else, we stand adjourned.
• </c><01:21:30.080><c> this</c> 625 part of the reason of hearing this 625 part of the reason of hearing

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs opened its first meeting of the 33rd Legislature with housekeeping announcements, including live streaming, a two-minute testimony limit, and notice that the committee would reconvene later if technical problems forced an early adjournment. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that written testimony was already on file and that public testimony would be taken measure by measure. On SB 109, which concerns the relationship between Hawaiian and English versions of state laws, the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that broadly allowing the Hawaiian text to supersede English could create ambiguity, and recommended narrowing the bill to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were never later amended in English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language, while OHA and several individuals also supported it. Testimony in support emphasized the importance of honoring Hawaiian language and preventing it from being treated as secondary. The committee then heard SB 268 on burial councils and SB 269 on the OHA budget. SB 268 drew strong support from OHA-related witnesses and many members of the public, who said burial council quorum problems and delays have hindered protection of iwi kupuna; one Moka representative opposed the bill, arguing the island had not been adequately consulted and that the real issue was the state process rather than council size. SB 269 received support from OHA and public testifiers who said OHA should be strengthened and better funded to serve Native Hawaiian needs. The committee also heard SB 624 relating to Prince Jonah Kūhiō, with DHHL and OHA supporting the measure to display portraits of Prince Kūhiō in public buildings; testifiers said the bill would promote cultural pride, education, and recognition of his legacy. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the consent of the House, the minutes of the preceding day will stand approved, hearing objections
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. Eighth order of business.
• With the consent of the House, Senate Bill 61, Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. The House is now adjourned until 9:55 a.m. Friday, February 27th.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SB5863 , SB5892 , SCR8406

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• With the consent of the House, the minutes of the preceding day will stand approved, hearing objections
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. Eighth order of business.
• With the consent of the House, Senate Bill 61, Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. The House is now adjourned until 9:55 a.m. Friday, February 27th.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SB5863 , SB5892 , SCR8406

Summary: The House convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was declared present. Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and Pastor Kayla Garza of Stone Church in Yakima offered the opening prayer, asking for wisdom, patience, humility, and cooperation in public service. The Speaker approved the prior day’s minutes by consent and recognized guests in the chamber, including Roger Jacob and students and faculty from Wapato School District, who had been honored in House Resolution 4679, as well as a fourth-grade class from Log Church Christian School in Brewster. The Democratic caucus was announced immediately, and the Republican caucus was scheduled for five minutes later, with the House briefly at ease. Under the fourth order of business, the House agreed by consent to treat bills, memorials, and resolutions on the introduction sheet as first reading items and refer them to the designated committees. Under the eighth order, Senate Bill 6132 was re-referred from the Transportation Committee to the Rules Committee. No objections were raised to these actions. The House then adjourned by consent until 9:55 a.m. on Friday, February 27, the 47th legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, it’s so ordered. As a matter of pending business, the chair lays out Senate Bill 387.
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted.
• Hearing none, the chair lays out, as a matter of pending business, Senate Bill 1839.
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted.
• Hearing none, it’s so ordered. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; And with that, we will close the hearing &gt;&gt; And with that, we will close the hearing
• Thank you all. >> And we'll close the hearing on 1374. >> We'll open the hearing on House Bill 1644,
• </c> state board at the withdrawal hearing. state board at the withdrawal hearing.
• </c> hearing. Is that what I'm understanding? hearing. Is that what I'm understanding?
• </c><04:01:09.920><c> Um</c> parents never hear about it. Um parents never hear about it.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:43.720><c> on</c> haven't even had a public hearing on haven't even had a public hearing on
• </c><00:50:23.680><c> I</c> there's going to be the public hearing I there's going to be the public hearing
• Okay, workers’ comp hearings and awards.
• Okay, workers’ comp hearings and awards.
• </c> recent change was that the hearing recent change was that the hearing officer<05:15:15.160><c> function

Summary: The committee met to continue work on House Bill 2, with the chair saying the goal was to finish the bill as given by the governor, though additional amendments were expected. Members first discussed the bail section and agreed to hold it for later because a separate House bail bill was expected on Thursday and could have significant county cost impacts. They also generally accepted the proposed reorganization of positions between Fish and Game, DNCR, and the Department of Environmental Services, but noted the need to review effective dates and funding details, including a possible double appropriation of $275,000 for a scientist position already funded in HB 1. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on environmental review and native plant-related sections moving functions from DNCR to DES. Members discussed changing the rulemaking timeline from 180 days to 90 days, and clarifying that “begin” means the public hearing stage. They also reviewed how fee revenue would shift between agencies in HB 1 so the budget impact would be net zero. The committee indicated it would prepare amendments reflecting these changes and revisit them at a later vote. The longest discussion concerned the boathouse provisions. Members debated whether the new definitions and construction standards were appropriate in a budget bill, with one member arguing they should be in a separate bill, while others said the provisions were urgent because of a lawsuit and the lack of clear guardrails. Concerns included the February 20, 2025 effective date, which some thought might be retroactive, the detailed limits on what may be stored in a boathouse, and a fee increase that some felt could discourage homeowners from seeking permits. The committee also questioned whether the fee structure should be tiered for smaller projects and whether permit-by-notification projects should be exempted. No final votes were taken on these sections during the discussion; instead, members agreed to seek legal and policy answers and to return with amendments and public hearing input before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to open up the hearing for HB 1775 and hear from our prime sponsor.
• Uh, we did close the hearing, so we're going to hear from the prime sponsor of 1542 FM.
• Uh, we did close the hearing, so we're going to hear from the prime sponsor of 1542 FM.
• Uh, we did close the hearing, so we're going to hear from the prime sponsor of 1542 FM.
• We're going to close the hearing on 1622 and open up the hearing on 1478.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Chair hears no objection to the motion. Chair hears no objection to the motion.
• Chair hears no objection to Bill 521.
• The Chair hears no objection.
• Hear no objection.
• Hearing no Motion for the body.

Bills: HB567 , HB776 , HB2 , HB568 , HB619

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:30.400><c> um</c> a sentiment that I have been hearing um a sentiment that I have been hearing
• Mahalo for hearing this bill.
• Aloha, can you hear me? Yes, please proceed.
• We really appreciate your scheduling this bill for hearing.
• Thank you so much for hearing this bill. I appreciate it.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, the Journal is approved as corrected.
• Hearing no objection, the motions prevail, and substitutions will be made.
• Hearing no objection, the reports are adopted.
• </c><00:42:01.920><c> you</c> I'm really disappointed to hear you I'm really disappointed to hear you
• In committee, we did hear from four males, and we did hear from four physicians, long-practicing physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that, amongst what we all hear, EMS is a big topic.
• But that's what I don't hear.
• But that's what I don't hear.
• But that's what I don't hear.
• Chair, I thought I wanted to hear the rest of the presentation.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bills and everybody was happy to hear bills and everybody was happy to hear that.<00:52:33.920><
• hear what reaction you may have to that hear what reaction you may have to that idea.<01:05:24.000><c
• </c><02:10:09.199><c> Hearing</c> Without Without objection. Hearing Without Without objection.
• </c><02:15:13.920><c> the</c> read that amendment, I didn't hear the read that amendment, I didn't hear
• </c> has been thrown around in this hearing has been thrown around in this hearing room<05:39:39.200>

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> three bills you're hearing this morning. three bills you're hearing this morning.
• I know I want to hear it from you.
• </c> to hear it in your own words. Yes, sir. to hear it in your own words. Yes, sir. Sorry. Sorry.
• With that, I'm closing the hearing on 17:34. Now, open the hearing on House Bill 1735.
• So, we'll open the hearing on for him. So, we'll open the hearing on HB<02:53:52.520><c> 1706.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This hearing and proceedings Rule five.
• /c><00:53:23.599><c> conversation</c> Um, did you hear any conversation Um, did you hear any conversation
• </c> &gt;&gt; I not that I recall, though I I did hear &gt;&gt; I not that I recall, though I I did hear
• ><c> of</c><01:09:49.359><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; Did you hear anything of the &gt;&gt; Did you hear anything
• Sorry, chairman. >> Been with questions with Toronto. this hearing and my testimony, this hearing and

Committee: House House Special Investigative Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And ultimately into the final hearing.
• </c> um hearing um hearing uh<01:07:25.200><c> for</c><01:07:25.440><c> right</c><01:07:25.680><c> now
• I'll now close the hearing on 1263.
• </c><03:59:06.800><c> In</c> hearings and other proceedings. In hearings and other proceedings.
• I'll close the hearing<04:01:40.080><c> on</c><04:01:40.399><c> that</c> hearing on that hearing on that

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• last week you're going to hear from last week you're going to hear from agencies<00:12:12.440><c> this
• </c> the second or third time that you hear the second or third time that you hear it<00:30:41.559><c
• , public hearings on actually it'll be the kickoff to our public hearing schedule.
• I'm going to reopen the hearing on HB 83. Yeah, and we'll hear from the director of the Lottery.
• hearing on HB 163.

Summary: The committee received an overview from Chris of the Legislative Budget Assistance Office on how it will estimate unrestricted revenues for the General Fund, Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He explained that the committee’s work is based on current law, not pending bills, and that the estimates will feed into a House resolution and an amendment to House Bill 1, the operating budget. He also described the broader budget process, including how House and Senate estimates are reconciled, how surplus statements account for revenue changes from enacted bills, and how a committee of conference could resolve differences later in the session. No votes were taken. Members then asked about why the Education Trust Fund was running below plan. Chris said the shortfall appeared to be driven largely by business taxes, including differences in the BET/BPT split and improved tax-processing systems that better track where business tax payments belong. Representative Orr also asked about tobacco tax collections and out-of-state sales; Chris said tobacco revenue was likely overestimated in 2023 based on COVID-era patterns, with more people smoking at home, and noted that e-cigarette tax revenue goes to the General Fund while cigarette taxes are split between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. He said he did not have a specific estimate for cross-border sales. Commissioner Lindsay St. Pierre of the Department of Revenue then began a deeper dive into the department’s role and the taxes it administers. She reviewed the department’s mission, organizational structure, taxpayer services, and the tax policy and legislative analysis staff who prepare fiscal notes and testify on bills. She noted that the department administers about $2.9 billion in revenue across major taxes such as business taxes, meals and rooms, and utility property tax, and that the figures being discussed were preliminary because the annual report had not yet been issued. The discussion was informational only, with no formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I'll call to order this committee hearing, the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional
• , the opposition... ...hearing.
• We have to have somebody tell us this is where the bill explicitly... hearing.
• Yeah, I hear the charter schools' position.
• I'll be happy to answer any questions, and I thank you for hearing us. Okay.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• So, then we sent a letter after the hearing two weeks ago saying that we would like her to respond with
• <00:01:08.840><c> the</c> So, then we sent a letter after the So, then we sent a letter after the hearing
• 2 weeks ago saying that we would hearing 2 weeks ago saying that we would like<00:01:12.000><c> her<
• .<00:03:54.000><c> Um</c> hearing.
• Um hearing.