Transcript Highlights:

• Kayla Farrell, waving in support. Jorge Font, waving in support. Danny Klein, waving in support.
• Sean Moreau, waving in support. Kayla Farrell, waving in support. Jorge Font, waving in support.
• Danny Klein, waving in support. And Amanda Hayes, waving in support.
• , housing supports, peer supports, whatever, you know Support, housing supports, peer supports, whatever
• Victoria Zep waving in support of Family Support Services.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, as amended, the sponsor explained that the original child welfare language was replaced with a strike-all requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation to work with DCF and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability, report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and allow penalties for failure to provide requested information. The committee adopted the amendment and amendment to the amendment, heard supportive testimony from child welfare advocates, and reported the committee substitute favorably. The committee also heard CS/SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, and clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, parents, and other supporters testified in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. On SB 794, the sponsor described requirements for background screening of employees in residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, workforce needs, geographic service gaps, and related recommendations due in 2027. The committee adopted a conforming amendment and reported the bill. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined DCF’s recent work on child welfare, behavioral health, peer support, and technology improvements, and answered questions about child welfare system challenges, funding formulas, opioid settlement dollars, and interoperability of agency systems. After public comment, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably, with Chair Graal voting no. The meeting ended with a request to record one senator’s vote on SB 1600 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support AB 1726.
• ; this is support only.
• , and this is support only?
• , and this is support only?
• And we support.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills dealing with tax policy, local revenue authority, consumer protections, and incentives for development. AB 1726 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax dollars for disaster mitigation and recovery costs; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, while the California Teachers Association opposed it because of the General Fund and Prop. 98 impact. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 1768 would authorize Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties to ask voters to approve local transaction and use taxes to offset projected federal funding cuts affecting health care and safety-net services; it received broad support from health providers and county representatives, opposition from one member and a resident, and passed the committee 5-2 to the Assembly Local Government Committee. The committee also considered AB 1790, which would repeal the Waters Edge corporate tax election and require worldwide combined reporting for multinational corporations. The author and supporters argued it would close a loophole, raise several billion dollars annually, and help fund schools, Medi-Cal, and other programs; opponents warned of double taxation, compliance burdens, retaliation from foreign governments, and job losses. After extensive testimony and member debate, the bill was referred to suspense. AB 2020 would provide a full property tax exemption for the primary residence of 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses, and AB 2069 would create a targeted sales and use tax exemption to spur development projects at fairgrounds; both measures had support from sponsors and related organizations, no opposition, and were referred to suspense. Finally, AB 2705 would regulate third-party “asset finders” who help claim excess proceeds from tax sales by requiring written agreements, disclosure that claims can be filed free with the county, and a cap on fees at 10%. County officials and local government groups supported the bill as a consumer protection measure, while recovery companies and related firms opposed it, arguing the work is complex and the cap would reduce access to services. The committee moved AB 2705 to the Assembly floor on a 4-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• . support. support.
• Copy to Long the Silver and support. Kahoi Gomera in support. Justice Castoverde Moniz in support.
• </c> support Kahoi Gomera in support Justice support Kahoi Gomera in support Justice Castoverde<00:10
• Brandon Bunag in support, Yvonne Lam in support, Cara Emine in support, Danielle Himalaya in support
• Brandon Bunag in support, Yvonne Lam in support, Cara Emine in support, Danielle Himalaya in support

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard and considered several gubernatorial nominations to state boards and councils. The nominees included Jody Hashimoto for the Honolulu County Subarea Health Planning Council (GM 539), Mary Pat Waterhouse for the State Council on Mental Health (GM 556), Shaun Kanani Apuuni for the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council (GM 564), Chrissy Kiamaluhia Doyle for the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission (GM 732), and John Kawamura for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment (GM 736). Each nominee described relevant experience and why they wanted to serve, and supporters from the Department of Health and various community organizations testified in favor of the appointments. Committee members and supporting testimony emphasized the nominees’ experience and the value of their perspectives. Hashimoto was praised for healthcare consulting, management, financial, IT, and organizational expertise; Waterhouse for her lived experience and active service in mental health; Apuuni for juvenile justice policy work and national coalition ties; Doyle for her work in education and community representation; and Kawamura for his long career in wastewater operations and environmental protection. The Department of Health also strongly supported Waterhouse and Kawamura. Because quorum was initially limited, the chair noted that decision-making would occur later in the calendar once more members were present. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up each nomination and adopted the chair’s recommendation to advise and consent on all five measures, with no objections or written reservations noted. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what you support when you support the symphony.
• Um, all in support. Is there and AMPO. Um, all in support.
• </c> in support. in support.
• We have Holomua Collaborative in support. strong support of this member of this strong support of this
• HHFDC<03:37:16.399><c> in</c><03:37:16.720><c> support.</c> HHFDC in support. HHFDC in support.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're here in strong support. Thank you.
• We're here in strong support. Thank you.
• I might support this if I knew that...
• Are there witnesses in support in the hearing room? Support in the hearing room.
• Wallace for their support as well.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a long policy agenda focused largely on student access, equity, and institutional oversight. Bills discussed included AB 2236 on common course numbering and streamlined articulation across the community colleges, CSU, and UC; AB 2422 on protections when financial aid is delayed; AB 1669 on medical and mental health leaves of absence; AB 1713 on accepting IEPs and 504 plans as proof of disability for accommodations; AB 2766 on priority housing and related supports for foster youth and students experiencing homelessness; AB 2212 on tech-facilitated sexual harassment and AI-generated intimate images; AB 2504 on a pilot to upskill creative-industry workers for AI-related changes; AB 1734 on preserving and expanding California food insecurity data collection; and AB 2771, the sunset bill for the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. The committee also took up a consent calendar of three bills earlier in the hearing. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from student groups, advocacy organizations, and system representatives, with many speakers describing personal experiences with transfer confusion, delayed aid, mental health crises, disability documentation barriers, housing instability, and online sexual harm. AB 2236 drew support from community college, CSU, UC student associations, and college-opportunity advocates, while the CSU Academic Senate registered opposition. AB 2771 drew a notable exchange over the cost and scope of the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, with Vice Chair DeMaio opposing the extension on fiscal and bureaucracy grounds; the author responded that the bureau is fee-funded and that its fees had not been raised in years. AB 1734 also prompted skepticism from DeMaio about the survey’s cost, methodology, and whether the work should be competitively bid, though supporters argued the existing California Health Interview Survey infrastructure was the most efficient way to preserve critical food insecurity data after federal cuts. The committee voted to advance the measures it heard, generally on party-line or near-party-line votes, with several bills held open for additional members to add on. AB 2236, AB 2422, AB 1669, AB 1713, AB 1734, AB 2766, and AB 2212 all received do-pass recommendations and were re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees. AB 2771 was also moved forward to the Committee on Business and Professions after debate over the bureau’s reauthorization and fee structure. The hearing ended with the committee beginning consideration of AB 2504, the AI-related workforce upskilling pilot for creative industries.

Transcript Highlights:

• The child needs more support, and his caregivers need more support in order to keep him safe.
• The child needs more support and his caregivers need more support in order to keep him safe.
• I appear today in strong support of Assembly Bill 2233.
• She works multiple jobs to support her household.
• , and on behalf of the ACLU, in support.

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I work with students who need support every day, who I work with students who need support every day,
• We're in strong support of AB 1920.
• They might lack familial support.
• I'm in support of your...
• I'm in support of your...

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Witness testimony in support. How about in opposition? Support. Just quick. ...in support.
• Testimony in support. Thank you. SB 288 by Senator Seyarto. Testimony in support.
• Testimony in support.
• Testimony in support.
• Testimony in support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met in Room 2200 of the O Street Building and took roll, establishing a quorum. The committee announced 25 measures on the agenda, all of which were suspense file candidates, and reminded witnesses to limit comments to fiscal issues. The Department of Finance had no comments on the bills. Most bills were taken up with no presentation, no opposition, and no committee questions, and were moved to suspense without objection. These included SB 46, SB 342, SB 490, SB 574, SB 758, SB 58, SB 73, SB 99, SB 247, SB 288, SB 327, SB 347, SB 417, SB 828, SB 492, SB 501, SB 557, SB 623, SB 667, SB 742, SB 747, SB 811, SB 837, and SB 849. Several bills drew brief support testimony from local governments, housing and labor groups, and other advocates, but no bills were held for further discussion. The only bill with substantive author presentation was SB 381 by Senator Wahab, which would allow adopted adults and descendants to obtain original birth certificates through an administrative process and create a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters said the bill addresses equal access, health, identity, and court backlog concerns, and noted similar laws in other states with little or no fiscal impact. After testimony, SB 381 was also moved to suspense without objection. The committee later reopened the record to note Senator Richardson’s arrival, then adjourned after concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> testify in support. testify in support.
• Support. Support.
• Napua Ilima in support. Napua Ilima in support.
• </c> support this measure. support this measure.
• </c> Council in support. Council in support.

Bills: HB1573 , HB1645 , HB1875 , HB1898 , HB2121

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: electronic smoking devices, e-liquids, certification, FDA, state law, penalties, compliance, directory, public health, nonprofit, child welfare, liability, insurance, legal protections, Hawaii, health care, reproductive rights, gender-affirming care, privacy, civil liability

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1573, which would create state enforcement authority over unauthorized e-cigarette products and related tobacco enforcement. Supporters including SHPDA, the Department of Health, the Attorney General’s office, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others said the bill would help protect youth from unauthorized vaping products, give the state tools to enforce an FDA-authorized product list, and add penalties and inspection authority. A committee member asked whether enforcement staff were available and what penalties would apply; the response was that existing tobacco investigators would take on the work, and the bill includes civil penalties, seizure authority, and possible license revocation referrals. The measure drew both support and opposition testimony, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1645, relating to liability for child welfare service providers. The Insurance Division said it was aware of the insurance-cost problem, had raised the issue with the NAIC, and was exploring a captive insurance option, while suggesting the legislature consider additional appropriations to DHS to cover higher contract costs. Supporters, including Parents and Children Together and Hawaii Insurance Council, argued the bill would help child welfare providers obtain insurance and continue critical services. Opponents, including the Hawaii Association for Justice, warned that removing joint and several liability could leave victims undercompensated and might not actually lower premiums. The insurance commissioner said other states have done tort reform in this area, but the committee was told it is not clear the bill would reduce insurance costs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1875, which would protect access to gender-affirming care in Hawaii and shield patients and providers from out-of-state legal actions. Support came from the Hawaii State Youth Commission, LGBTQ+ and public health groups, medical professionals, ACLU Hawaii, Planned Parenthood, and others, who said gender-affirming care is evidence-based, medically necessary, and important for patient privacy, provider stability, and continuity of care. Several witnesses asked for amendments to the bill’s definition language. Opposition testimony came from individuals and groups including Hawaii Christian Coalition, Leeward Republican Women’s Club, and others, who argued the bill could expose children to irreversible decisions and that more research is needed. The chair noted roughly 176 supporters and about 40 opponents testified. No final action or vote was reported in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 970?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 970?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 972?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 978?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 991?

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's $6,000 to support... ...providing additional funds for them to be able to support that work.
• We'd like you to support the super COLA of 4.31%, support the special education funding of $2.4 billion
• , support the pregnancy disability leave mandate, and support the discretionary fund amount.
• language for multi-tiered systems of support.
• ongoing support is key to local sustainability.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s May Revision TK-12 education proposals, beginning with Proposition 98. The Department of Finance explained that the minimum guarantee rises by about $6.4 billion relative to the January budget across the three-year window, with a total of $124.9 billion in 2024-25, $125.1 billion in 2025-26, and $127.1 billion in 2026-27. Finance also described revised settle-up and reserve actions, including maintaining a $3.9 billion settle-up balance, increasing discretionary deposits into the Prop. 98 reserve, and ending with a projected reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the overall estimates were reasonable but urged the state to fully fund the guarantee and use other budget actions or reserves to manage volatility rather than delay settle-up payments. Members questioned the rationale for leaving the $3.9 billion unsettled, and Finance said the amount reflects revenue uncertainty and the risk of overappropriating Prop. 98 if revenues later fall. The committee then reviewed the Department of Education portion of the May Revision. Finance said the budget adds positions and state operations funding for CDE and includes trailer bill changes affecting community schools, preschool, literacy, special education, charter accountability, and other programs. The LAO highlighted concerns and recommendations on several proposals, including the size and structure of the LCFF increase, the special education base-rate increase, additional one-time community schools funding, literacy coach and math professional development augmentations, the multilingual screener, inclusive college grants, homelessness grants, and the proposed paid pregnancy disability leave mandate. CDE supported the special education increase, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, literacy and math investments, and preschool parity, while urging more support for county offices of education and clearer definitions and implementation details for some programs. Finance said the paid pregnancy leave proposal would cost an estimated $218 million annually and is intended as a recruitment and retention measure. In the Commission on Teacher Credentialing item, Finance proposed funding for legal staffing tied to SB 848 and educator misconduct cases, plus funding and fee changes to support a statewide transcript review platform for subject matter competency and additional support for the residency technical assistance center. The LAO said it had no concerns with the staffing for misconduct and SB 848, recommended the transcript review platform and related fee increase if the platform moves forward, and recommended rejecting the residency technical assistance center expansion because current funding lasts through 2029. CTC said the misconduct workload has grown over the last five to six years and that AI would be used only as a backstop to human review in the transcript system. Public commenters were split, with unions and education groups supporting special education, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, and literacy investments, while opposing the $3.9 billion settle-up delay and the reduction to preschool COLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• in support, Kim Leslene Suarez in support, Ivy Nagayyama in support, Rick Alhadaf in support, Joanne
• Pa Paha in support, Mary Coleman in support, Pauline Sheldon in support, Tracy Hinrich in support, Maritus
• </c> in support. Sherry Sukamoto in support. in support. Sherry Sukamoto in support.
• </c> support. Carmine Gio Mazo in support. support. Carmine Gio Mazo in support.
• </c> support. Tracy Hinrich in support. support. Tracy Hinrich in support.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Governor’s Message 666, the nomination of Rose Kea to the Commission on the Status of Women for a term ending June 30, 2029. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from business and community members, and Kea described her background as a real estate broker, small business owner, and nonprofit volunteer leader, saying her experience with workplace equity and women-owned businesses would help the commission. Senators questioned her about the connection between her background and the commission’s work, and about how she would respond to current threats to women’s rights; she said the commission should serve as a unifying and leading force for gender equity. The committee later voted to advise and consent, with the chair’s recommendation adopted. The committee also considered SCR 128 and SR 107, which sought information on state lands leased to the federal government. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the resolutions as drafted, saying the AG does not maintain the lease inventory and that the request should instead go to the agencies that manage the land, such as DLNR, DOE, and DOT. The committee amended the measures to ask the AG to determine whether there are constitutional or other legal impediments to continued leasing or new leases, including whether nominal lease amounts violate law, and then passed both with amendments. Next, the committee took up STR 153 and SR 123, which request the County of Maui to complete the transfer of the Hoie roads, including Hoie Road F, to resolve jurisdictional ambiguities. The judiciary administrator testified in support, and the measures were passed, with the committee adopting the chair’s recommendation. Finally, the committee heard STR 179 and SR 149 on reviewing the Hawaii Revised Statutes for gender-neutral language. The LGBTQ+ Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women supported the effort, though the women’s commission asked for more time and a set date to dissolve the work group. The committee amended the resolutions to assign the review to the Legislative Reference Bureau, with consultation from the LGBTQ+ Commission, the Commission on the Status of Women, civil rights experts, and law-related organizations, and set interim and final reporting deadlines before passing the measures with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support this bill.
• Shannon Geis, San Francisco, strong support. Bev Lear, San Francisco, strong support.
• Strong support. Alan Kelgore, resident of Sacramento County, strong support.
• Palo Alto, strong support. Carol Cross, Redwood City, strong support.
• I don't support this.

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 970?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 970?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 972?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 978?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 991?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met with a quorum and heard a large suspense-file agenda, with the Department of Finance declining to comment on any of the measures. The chair reminded witnesses to focus on fiscal impacts. Most bills were taken up quickly because authors had waived presentation and there was no public testimony or committee discussion; those measures were moved to the suspense file without objection, including SB 867, SB 868, SB 934, SB 869, SB 1202, SB 907, SB 1262, SB 923, SB 1057, SB 955, SB 1046, SB 1237, SB 970, SB 972, SB 978, SB 1105, SB 991, SB 1015, SB 1021, SB 1222, SB 1023, SB 1261, SB 1030, SB 1039, SB 1042, SB 1052, SB 1077, SB 1114, SB 1149, SB 1160, SB 1342, SB 1399, SB 1422, SB 1161, SB 1166, SB 1330, SB 1191, SB 1378, SB 1197, SB 1220, SB 1255, SB 1394, and SB 1420. The committee briefly heard testimony on a few measures. SB 869 drew opposition from the California Restaurant Association, while SB 1052 and SB 1255 received support from advocates including The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration, The Arc California, and the Campaign for College Opportunity. SB 1422 also received support from the California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition. No opposition was recorded on those supportive measures, and no substantive committee debate was noted. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1106, which would shorten the deadline for data brokers to comply with a user’s request to delete personal data from 45 days to 30 days. He stated the bill would have no fiscal impact beyond routine regulatory system updates. The committee adopted a due-pass motion on SB 1106, voting 5-0 to send it to the Senate floor, and then placed the item on call for additional members to add on before later closing the roll with a final 5-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . support. support.
• c> from</c> uh support from HSTA, support from uh support from HSTA, support from Hoopa.<00:22:29.600
• UPW in support. To testify on behalf of UPW in support.
• </c> Kimua UPW in support. Kimua UPW in support.
• </c> written testimony and support. written testimony and support.

Bills: SB2119 , SB3131 , SB3069 , SB3180 , SB2137 , SB2993 , SB2778 , SB2672 , SB2014 , SB2967

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: reimbursement, public employees, travel costs, government travel policy, finance management, job title, administrative assistant, executive assistant, state personnel, civil service, modernization, employment standards, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, comptroller, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, public works special project branch, specialized public works, information technology modernization

Transcript Highlights:

• After that comment, I can't support the bill. Do you want to have your witnesses in support?
• We're in support of SB 590.
• Rianan Morales on behalf of UFCW Western States Council in support. Thank you. in support.
• We're in support of SB 590.
• Strong support. Rianan Morales on behalf of UFCW Western States Council in support. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to hear several bills related to insurance coverage, wildfire risk, workers’ compensation, and paid family leave. SB 8 by Senator Ashby would extend workers’ compensation and disability protections to Sacramento County park rangers, with testimony emphasizing that they perform law-enforcement-like duties and should receive the same protections as comparable officers. SB 429 by Senator Cortese would create a public wildfire catastrophe model and related wildfire safety program, with support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates who said public access to modeling data would improve transparency and help evaluate private insurance risk models. The committee also heard SB 525 by Senator Jones, which would require the FAIR Plan to offer coverage options for manufactured and mobile home owners, including replacement cost coverage. Supporters said the bill would help lower-income residents obtain meaningful insurance protection, while no opposition testified. SB 495 by Senator Allen, as amended, would require insurers to provide a larger contents-coverage advance after a total loss during a declared emergency without requiring an immediate itemized inventory, extend proof-of-loss deadlines, and require insurers to provide catastrophe modeling and reinsurance data to the Department of Insurance. Several insurers withdrew opposition after amendments, and the Department of Insurance and United Policyholders supported the measure. SB 590 by Senator Durazo would expand paid family leave to cover care for designated persons or chosen family members, with strong support from AARP, labor, civil rights, caregiving, and health organizations, and testimony from a parent describing the need to care for a non-legal family member during surgery recovery. The committee also took up consent items SB 230 and SB 854. After roll calls, SB 8, SB 429, SB 495, SB 525, and SB 590 all received do-pass votes, with SB 429 sent to the Committee on Emergency Management, SB 495 to Judiciary, and SB 525 and SB 590 to Appropriations. The consent calendar bills were also approved, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Marvin Deng for Financial Services Association, in support. And Frank Schultz, also in support.
• Allison, in support; Frank Schultz, in support; Lori Ariel Toiki, in support; and Mokoo on Zoom, maybe
• , also in support; Hawaiʻi Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, in support; Elizabeth Kent, in support; and
• Frank Schultz, in support.
• </c><00:10:33.519><c> and</c> in support Elizabeth Kent in support and in support Elizabeth Kent in support

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee continued hearing several bills. HB 399 would create an additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit; it drew support from the Judiciary, Public Defender, State Bar, Financial Services Association, and others, and there was no opposition. HB 560 would appropriate funds for Judiciary contracts with community-based organizations; many service providers and coalition representatives testified in support, emphasizing the growing gap between contract payments and the actual cost of services, especially for domestic violence, youth, legal aid, and other vulnerable populations. HB 648 would establish a two-year pilot program in the First Circuit probate and family court for guardianship and conservatorship-related resources; the Office of the Public Guardian and disability advocates supported it, while suggesting amendments to clarify that the bill refers to professional evaluations, including psychological, neurocognitive, or functional evaluations, rather than just physicians’ letters. The committee also heard HB 990, which appropriates funds for claims against the state, with the Attorney General noting 21 claims totaling about $6.5 million plus two additional resolved claims and requesting corrections to identify two matters as judgments rather than settlements. HB 991 would clarify that the Attorney General may conduct FBI fingerprint-based background checks on contractors and employees; it was supported by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and others, with an amendment to include subcontractors. HB 998 would provide that omissions or errors in citations do not require dismissal or reversal if they do not prejudice the defendant; the Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and members discussed whether the language adequately protects due process and how it would apply when identifying information is unavailable. Finally, HB 1174 would address payment-under-protest lawsuits by allowing interest earned on certain funds to be paid in non-taxation cases if the claimant prevails and by setting procedures for premature filings. After testimony, the committee moved into decision-making and recommended passage of HB 399, HB 560, HB 648, HB 990, HB 991, HB 998, and HB 1174, generally with amendments where noted, including effective-date changes and the requested clarifications. The measures were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 970?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 970?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 972?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 978?
• Any individuals wishing to testify in support of SB 991?

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met in quorum and heard a large suspense-file agenda, with authors on most bills waiving presentation and the Department of Finance declining comment. The committee repeatedly took brief public testimony limited to fiscal impacts, then moved most measures to suspense without objection. Bills sent to suspense included SB 867, 868, 869 (with opposition from the California Restaurant Association), 934, 1202, 907, 1262, 923, 1057, 955, 1046, 1237, 970, 972, 978, 1105, 991, 1015, 1021, 1222, 1023, 1261, 1030, 1039, 1042, 1052, 1077, 1114, 1149, 1160, 1342, 1399, 1422, 1161, 1166, 1330, 1191, 1378, 1197, 1220, 1255, 1394, and 1420. The committee also heard SB 1106 by Senator Cabaldon, which would shorten the deadline for data brokers to comply with deletion requests from 45 days to 30 days. Senator Cabaldon said the change would not create new costs beyond routine regulatory updates, and no opposition was presented. The committee approved SB 1106 on a 5-0 vote and placed it on call before the final vote was completed. Several suspense-file bills drew limited support testimony from advocacy groups, including SB 1052 from The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration and LARC, SB 1422 from the California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition, and SB 1255 from the Campaign for College Opportunity. After completing the agenda, the committee finalized SB 1106 with a 5-0 do pass vote to the Senate floor and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , implements supports, and then evaluates the supports.
• Kalala Farm is in support. AO AA 2020 is in support. Two individuals are both in support.
• testimony and support support support Alo<00:58:50.160><c> offering</c><00:58:50.480><c> testimony</
• testimony</c><00:58:55.680><c> support</c> support Kaku po po testimony support support Kaku po po testimony
• Excuse me—HSA is in support. HSA, in support.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education met on January 30 and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with an announcement asking testifiers and members to keep remarks brief because of weather. The vice chair also explained that HB 440, relating to immigration issues in schools and state hospitals, was removed from the agenda because the proposal would not create meaningful legal protections and immigration policy is governed by federal law. The committee then moved through a series of education-related measures, with testimony largely from the Department of Education, the School Facilities Authority, the Attorney General’s office, unions, advocacy groups, and individual testifiers. On HB 330, concerning school impact fees, the School Facilities Authority supported the bill as aligning policy with implementation, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii said the fee accounts have accumulated large balances, including more than $20 million in impact fee funds and nearly $9 million from predecessor fair-share contributions, and urged that collected money be used rather than left idle. DOE said it would follow up on the balance and why it was not being used. On HB 1188, dealing with workforce housing, DOE and the Charter School Commission offered comments or support, the Attorney General suggested clarifying the phrase “within commuting distance” by using a mileage standard and adding repayment language, and HSTA, HGEA, and others supported the bill, with HSTA saying teachers need housing to be able to live and work in Hawaii. On HB 624 and HB 625, both related to school psychologists, DOE said it would participate in a work group on the pathway bill and supported the incentive program bill; school psychologists and related groups supported the measures, while one testifier said DOE should not lead the work group alone because school psychologists may work in many education settings beyond DOE schools. The committee also heard HB 1314 on youth mental health in schools. DOE described its student support process, universal screening tools, and behavioral health services, saying schools already identify and respond to concerns and that staff are trained to report issues, while the Attorney General warned the bill could expose schools to liability and recommended a broad liability waiver. Testimony was mixed, with several supporters and one opponent. On HB 616, concerning school safety and harassment protections for educational workers, the Attorney General sought clarifying amendments on harassment definitions, temporary restraining order costs, and paid leave, while HSTA, HGEA, and individual teachers strongly supported the bill, describing harassment incidents and arguing for a standardized statewide response. DOE said it already has reporting pathways, visitor codes of conduct, trespass notices, and an ethics hotline, but acknowledged implementation varies by school and that staff can escalate concerns if needed. The committee also began hearing HB 88 on a three-year pilot program for athletic travel, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s testimony is completed or any votes are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Katherine Frier in support. Fred Hoffer in support. Robert Colbertson in support.
• Tamar Hayden in support. Michelle Mitsumori in support. Ruda Jordans in support.
• Tina Marie Kura in support. Arlene Velasco in support.
• </c> in support. Fred Hoffer in support. in support. Fred Hoffer in support.
• </c><00:18:39.679><c> Tina</c> support. Ruda Jordans in support. Tina support.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health, Human Services, and Agriculture and Environment heard testimony on SR 85, which requests the Department of Health to form a working group on solid waste management, and on SCR 19, which asks the Tax Review Commission to identify ways to implement Hawaii’s long-term care financing program. SR 85 drew broad support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, environmental groups, and numerous individuals, with one commenter asking that a military representative be added to address possible landfill use of military lands. For SCR 19, testimony came in support from the Executive Office on Aging and another supporter. For SR 85, the chair recommended passage with amendments. The amendments revised landfill-location language, removed certain lines, expanded the report’s scope to include materials management policies, environmental protections, and alternative technologies for waste that cannot be recycled or composted, and changed the working group membership language to include representatives from specified sectors. The committee also agreed to add invited participants such as Zero Waste USA, the reuse and deconstruction industries, a landfill leachate expert, a unit-based pricing expert, and a military representative, and to require the governor or designee to convene the initial meeting. The committee adopted the recommendation by vote, with members voting aye and one member excused. For SCR 19, the chair recommended passage with an amendment adding reference to findings in a 1991 report on financing long-term care. The committee approved the measure with amendments by vote, again with members voting aye and one member excused. The joint session then adjourned.