Transcript Highlights:

• </c> freeze-dried are already commercially freeze-dried are already commercially prepared<01:24:28.520
• </c><01:24:37.960><c> uh</c> that they bought commercially uh that they bought commercially uh produced
• This is the criminal code.
• This is the criminal code.
• This is the criminal code.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a work session on several environmental bills, beginning with HP 152, which would prohibit the sale and use of adhesive-based rodent traps. Members discussed whether the bill should be amended to allow professional pest control use while restricting retail sales to the public. Testimony and member comments focused on animal welfare concerns, the relative humaneness and effectiveness of glue traps versus snap traps, consumer education, enforcement difficulties, and whether the bill should instead be limited to professionals. No vote was taken on HP 152 during the discussion. The committee then turned to HB 171, establishing a moratorium on new landfill permits. Representative Gruber distributed an amendment shortening the proposed moratorium from five years to three years as a compromise. Members supporting the moratorium said it would give the Department of Environmental Services time to update rules and reflect recent landfill-siting reforms, while opponents argued that three years was too long, could tie the hands of a future legislature, and might be difficult to pass in the Senate. Others noted the House, Senate, and governor had each discussed different lengths of moratorium, making the bill a likely bargaining position in later negotiations. Throughout the landfill discussion, members emphasized that the three-year version was intended as a middle ground between a one-year proposal associated with the governor and a six-year Senate bill. Several members said the moratorium reflected years of bipartisan work on solid waste and landfill policy and would help create time for new rules to take effect. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or other action on HB 171 during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• 33.920><c> trusted</c><01:45:34.239><c> to</c><01:45:34.480><c> carry</c><01:45:34.800><c> a</c> a uniform
• , who is trusted to carry a a uniform, who is trusted to carry a firearm<01:45:35.600><c> in</c><01:45
• Yes, they do buy aluminum billet that is available on the commercial market, but that does not necessarily
• Yes, they do buy aluminum billet that is available on the commercial market, but that does not necessarily
• We have a uniform definition, I believe it's 207:14-a, and that definition I am not seeking to change

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commercial Service office in Seoul and Taipei, and also the U.S.
• Commercial Service here in Hawaii, to connect on information sharing services and best practices for
• US commercial service office in Seoul US commercial service office in Seoul and<00:24:01.760><c> Taipei
• /c><00:24:03.840><c> also</c><00:24:04.080><c> the</c><00:24:04.320><c> US</c><00:24:04.640><c> commercial
• </c><00:24:05.039><c> service</c> um and also the US commercial service um and also the US commercial

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered several bills focused on economic development, tourism, business climate, and related policy areas. On HB 1943, which would support a DBEDT office in Korea, DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in support, emphasizing Korea’s importance as a market for investment, trade, and tourism and the value of helping small and midsize Hawaii businesses access Asian markets. A later witness also tied the proposal to broader free-trade and APEC-related goals. The committees heard no opposition on that measure. The committees then heard HB 1612 and HB 1614, both supported by multiple organizations and agencies. Testimony for HB 1612 stressed Hawaii’s weak business climate and the need for policies that improve economic growth and competitiveness; the Hulamua Collaborative cited survey results showing only 19% of respondents viewed Hawaii as a good place to do business. HB 1614 also drew support, with HTC saying its focus is on economic growth. For HB 1968 and HB 1967, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the University of Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce, and Hulamua Collaborative largely stood on written testimony in support; the hearing notes reported nine supporters and one opponent on HB 1968, and seven supporters with one comment on HB 1967. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on HB 1589, a bill to create dementia training and recognition for businesses. Testifiers included a private citizen sharing a personal family story, the Alzheimer’s Association, and DBEDT. Supporters said the measure would help families affected by dementia, reduce stigma, and make businesses more dementia-friendly. DBEDT said the issue would be better handled by an agency with dementia expertise, while the Alzheimer’s Association said it could provide training at no cost and suggested amendments to shift implementation toward the Executive Office on Aging and to use the term “dementia business champion.” The final major topic was HB 1608, involving a space-related project and financing. Phoenix Space testified that the bill would help launch responsive space access operations at Hilo International Airport, create local jobs, and support partnerships with Hawaii institutions, while another supporter said the project could diversify the economy. A committee member raised a timing concern, noting bond cap capacity was already allocated through 2028, and the witness said they were willing to work on a solution. The hearing also included HB 1850 on capital gains taxation, where supporters argued the bill would make the tax system fairer by increasing taxes on investment income, while the Chamber of Commerce opposed it. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Bills: HR209 , SB3131 , SB2494 , SB2447 , SB2727 , SB2145 , SB2143 , HR22 , HCR22 , HR97 , HCR105 , HR138 , HCR146 , HCR16 , HCR35 , HCR40 , HR3 , HCR4 , HR161 , HCR171 , HR109 , HCR117 , HR33 , HCR33 , HR141 , HCR149 , HR190 , HCR200 , HR193 , HCR203 , HR194 , HCR204 , HR196 , HCR206 , HR197 , HCR207 , HR191 , HCR201 , HR12 , HCR10 , HR148 , HCR157 , HR184 , HCR194 , HR195 , HCR205 , HR192 , HCR202 , HR173 , HCR183 , HR179 , HCR189 , HR181 , HCR191 , HR21 , HCR21 , HR23 , HCR24 , HR60 , HCR66 , HR113 , HCR121 , HR145 , HCR153 , HR74 , HCR82 , HR77 , HCR85 , HR90 , HCR98 , HR27 , HCR36 , HR165 , HCR175 , HR187 , HCR197 , HR5 , HCR6 , SB2054

Keywords: entertainment, comedy, youth wellness, cultural identity, Hawaiian culture, mental health, public service, job title, administrative assistant, executive assistant, state personnel, civil service, modernization, employment standards, bribery, corruption, statute of limitations, public servant, criminal justice, campaign finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation requires all commercial, state group health insurance, and Medicaid plans to include
• This legislation requires all commercial, state growth health insurance, and Medicaid plans to include

Committee: House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce

Summary: The committee met with roll call attendance and took up two bills. First was Senate Bill 315 with Senate Amendment 1, which would allow the Division of Small Business to add state funding to existing federal small business programs, including the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. There was brief public support from one in-person commenter, no virtual comment, and the committee voted to release the bill, though it did not yet have enough signatures for immediate release and was left open for absent members to sign. The second item was Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, a women’s health insurance mandate requiring coverage for medically necessary menopause and perimenopause diagnostic and treatment services, including FDA-approved hormone replacement therapy, pelvic floor therapy, and related care. Representative Smith presented the bill as a response to gaps in menopause care and insurance coverage, and Department of Insurance witness Kennedy Cook explained the religious exemption as applying to certain religious employers and blanket health policies. Committee members asked about the scope of that exemption, and some expressed concern about religious carveouts, while others praised the bill as important women’s health legislation. During public comment, one speaker supported the bill but warned that expanding mandatory health benefits can raise insurance costs. The Department of Insurance then testified in support, saying the bill would align Delaware with other states, many insurers already comply, and the department did not expect a meaningful premium impact. The committee voted to release Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319 from committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• You never asked to be in campaign commercials or to put up yard signs, but you have always supported
• You never asked to be in campaign commercials or to put up yard signs, but you have always supported

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• operate the Roma Ciudad Miguel Aleman International Bridge, a 24 hour bridge and sees more than 200 commercial
• This industrial park will help ensure more commercial trucks can continue to move goods through our region

Committee: House S/C on International Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• crimes and offenses shall be guilty of just the phraseology that we use in many places in our criminal code
• places<00:34:03.600><c> in</c><00:34:03.760><c> our</c><00:34:04.000><c> criminal</c><00:34:04.320><c> code
• </c> places in our criminal code. places in our criminal code.
• Senate File 31 sponsored by Corporations, Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, an act relating to mortgages
• this legislation helps set the policy for these school districts to be able to govern their dress codes

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; That's it's internal revenue code. Yep. &gt;&gt; That's it's internal revenue code.
• So that just makes the United States flag code incorporate my reference as the flag code of New Hampshire
• of the flag code is considered a flag for the purpose of the flag code.
• as the flag code of New reference as the flag code of New Hampshire.<03:11:42.479><c> And</c><03:11:
• So, and um flag code.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, is there currently a code of conduct that governs spectator attendance at these events?
• Um, is there currently a code of conduct that governs spectator attendance at these events?
• Um, is there currently a code of conduct that governs spectator attendance at these events?
• Um, is there currently a code of conduct that governs spectator attendance at these events?
• Currently, a code of conduct that governs spectator attendance at these events?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education heard testimony on HB 1895, which would add education-worker protections by expanding harassment-related offenses. The Department of Education, HSTA, HGA, and several school employees and principals testified in support, describing increased harassment and threats toward teachers and staff, especially since COVID, and saying the bill would help deter bad actors. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, saying the language was vague and overbroad, could criminalize ordinary parental advocacy or speech, and might not survive constitutional scrutiny. In response to questions, the public defender said existing statutes already cover threatening or assaultive conduct against educational workers, while DOE representatives said the bill was aimed at excessive and repetitive disruptive behavior. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up HB 1592, concerning protections for educational workers and sports officials. DOE, the Charter School Commission, HGA, HSTA, school principals, athletic programs, and many individual testifiers supported the bill, with several describing threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior at schools and athletic events. One principal said he had repeatedly involved law enforcement after threats and incidents on campus, and a teacher testified about the need to keep school environments safe and orderly. The Office of the Public Defender again opposed the bill, arguing that current law already enhances penalties for assaults and terroristic threatening against educational workers and sports officials, and that new offenses would have little deterrent effect. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be a separate statute and how to distinguish passionate advocacy from harassment; DOE said the line was crossed when conduct became excessive and repetitive, while the public defender urged clearer drafting and more emphasis on prevention, education, security, and de-escalation. No vote or final action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ability to treat a disease should not depend on your zip code or financial situation.
• depend</c><00:14:48.240><c> on</c><00:14:48.360><c> your</c><00:14:48.480><c> zip</c><00:14:48.720><c> code
• </c><00:14:48.960><c> or</c> should not depend on your zip code or should not depend on your zip code
• otherwise, one of the more alarming aspects of this bill is that it would allow for taxpayer funding of commercial

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You want to know who it was, the city they lived in, their zip code, but it's not necessary to have their
• Madam Chair, you know, there are all sorts of health codes that could confine a public landfill or private
• answered, and I also want to flag that Prop. 207 very intentionally stayed outside of the criminal code
• Our son deleted the images; however, unbeknownst to us, a Google hash match code of those images remained
• of prostitution, continuous sexual abuse of a child, bestiality, sexual exploitation of a minor, commercial

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several bills dealing with elections, juvenile representation, paternity, and campaign finance. SB 1489 would require paid petition circulators to disclose their name, residence, and paid status, wear a badge, register in some local petition efforts, and subject local initiatives to stricter compliance and fiscal disclosure rules. Supporters said it would standardize rules and improve transparency; opponents, including the ACLU, argued it would chill core political speech and compel identification. The bill received a do-pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote. SB 1609, an emergency measure restricting political party names from using terms like “independent” or “unaffiliated,” drew support from county election officials who said it would reduce voter confusion, and opposition from the Arizona Independent Party, which called it retroactive and anti-competitive. The committee adopted an amendment and then passed the bill 7-0. SCR 1040, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 subject to voter approval, was supported as reflecting longer life expectancy and retaining experienced judges, but opposed by some who favored age limits; it passed 5-2. The committee then took up SB 1234, which would change juvenile court representation by requiring a guardian ad litem in dependency and termination cases and allowing, rather than requiring, separate child counsel in some circumstances. Sponsor Senator Werner said the bill was part of a broader child-safety package and was informed by cases involving children who died after alleged system failures. Child welfare attorneys and advocates opposed the bill, warning it would weaken attorney-client privilege and take away children’s independent voice, while DCS said the bill was intended to clarify the GAL role and could work alongside child counsel. The committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 5-2. SB 1661, allowing child support obligations to be terminated when genetic testing shows a presumed father is not the biological father, received broad support from the sponsor, a fathers’ advocacy group, and a family representative, and passed 6-0. Later, the committee considered election-administration and campaign-finance measures. SB 1392 would give governing bodies canvassing elections access to election-material locations to observe procedures and review records, while protecting privacy and security; county officials supported access but raised concerns about the term “agent,” and the bill passed 4-3. SB 1634 would require ADOT to provide county recorders with applicants’ handwritten signatures collected during voter registration; county officials said it would improve signature verification, and the bill passed 5-2 after some members noted amendment concerns. SB 1743 would redact donors’ employer street addresses and residence addresses from campaign finance reports; supporters framed it as a privacy measure, while opponents said employer information is important for transparency and identifying influence. It passed 5-2. SB 1099, a strike-everything amendment defining defamation standards for public and private figures, was presented as narrowing and clarifying defamation law and passed 4-3. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1535, which would make paying for sexual conduct a prostitution offense and add a $200 assessment to fund anti-human-trafficking services. Survivors, law enforcement, and neighborhood advocates supported stronger penalties aimed at buyers and demand reduction, while criminal-defense and victim-advocacy groups said the bill needed a rebuttable-presumption amendment to better protect trafficking victims. The transcript cuts off before the committee’s final action on SB 1535.

Transcript Highlights:

• And unanimous consent to allow for a relaxed dress code to allow jeans for our guests, not our members
• There's been a request for a relaxed dress code only for our guests who are joining us today in the chamber
• President, I voted against this in committee because of concerns about turning semi-commercial operations
• relating to the public peace, health, safety, and welfare, expanding the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code
• shortage area from property taxation for up to 20 years pursuant to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These prediction markets are a blatant attempt to evade Hawaii's laws on commercialized gambling.
• that there's a landlord-tenant working group, which I'm a part of, working on the landlord-tenant code
• a part of uh working on the landlord a part of uh working on the landlord tenant<01:23:26.480><c> code
• </c><01:23:27.360><c> um</c><01:23:27.520><c> I</c><01:23:27.679><c> will</c> tenant code right now.
• um I will tenant code right now. um I will recommend<01:23:28.239><c> to</c><01:23:28.400><c> them</c

Bills: HB2227 , HB1775 , HB1560 , HB1642 , HB1647 , HB2003 , HB1640 , HB2198

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: eviction, housing stability, tenant screening, court records, writ of possession, foreclosures, public sale, eligible bidders, housing, downpayment, judicial foreclosure, digital financial assets, consumer protection, financial kiosks, refunds, transaction security, HB1642, Hawaii, cryptocurrency ATM, crypto ATM

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 5, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 227 relating to eviction records. Supporters, including the Public First Law Center and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would help people who prevail in eviction cases avoid long-term housing harm from online court records, while the Public First Law Center said keeping records off eCourt Kokua would not violate the First Amendment because the records would still be available in person. Members discussed access-to-justice concerns, and a witness said legal aid attorneys could still access the records through the attorney-only Jeff’s system and the court’s access-to-justice room. The chair also asked about precedent, and a witness cited a Hawaii Supreme Court case as supporting removal from the online database rather than sealing records entirely. The committee then took up HP 1775 relating to foreclosures, but the transcript only shows in-person opposition comments from the Hawaii State Bar Association Collection Law Section, the Hawaii Credit Union League, and the Hawaii Bankers Association. The credit union and banking groups said they had concerns about broader negative impacts on mortgage lending and other requirements, but no detailed discussion or action was captured before the committee moved on. The next measure, HB 1560 relating to consumer protection, drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection and cryptocurrency companies including Coinflip and America Digital, which said they already use wallet-pinning and other safeguards to prevent fraud. AARP Hawaii did not take a formal position but said the bill addressed a real problem, noting that Hawaii residents, especially in Kona, had lost more than $920,000 in 2024 to cryptocurrency ATM scams and arguing that stronger oversight was needed. The committee also heard HB 1642, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the ban as the best way to protect consumers from fraud, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed it, arguing kiosks provide cash-based access to crypto, especially for unbanked or underbanked consumers, and that targeted regulation would be better than an outright ban. AARP Hawaii took no formal position but strongly emphasized the harm caused by scams, saying victims are often frightened into acting quickly and that kiosk transactions currently lack enough friction or intervention. Finally, HB 1647, also on consumer protection, would impose liability on host businesses that provide space for crypto kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection warned small businesses might not understand the liability, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed the bill, saying it would unfairly shift enforcement duties to host stores and could discourage businesses from hosting kiosks, effectively creating a de facto ban. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it includes a conflict of interest, code of ethics, safeguards around making sure this office is
• 05:14.240><c> conflict</c><00:05:14.639><c> of</c><00:05:14.880><c> interest,</c><00:05:15.360><c> code
• </c><00:05:15.600><c> of</c> includes a conflict of interest, code of includes a conflict of interest
• , code of ethics,<00:05:16.600><c> um</c><00:05:17.600><c> safeguards</c><00:05:18.240><c> around</c>
• Minnesota is one of the insurance umbrella organizations for larger insurance companies that do commercial

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• critical mineral processing and encouraging opportunities for lawful private sector dialogue and commercial
• Senate Resolution 65, encouraging commercial opportunities between West Virginia and certain institutions

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• over a century, county ag commissioners have played a critical role in protecting agriculture and commercial
• Nicole Cignonis on behalf of the Household and Commercial Products Association and the California Chamber
• Nicole Cignonis on behalf of the Household and Commercial Products Association and the California Chamber

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture heard five bills and took up four consent items. AB 312 would shorten from six months to three months the time agricultural commissioners must hold proceeds from the sale of seized agricultural commodities before unclaimed funds go to the county general fund. The author said it is a narrow administrative change that preserves existing ownership and recovery protections; there was no opposition, and the bill advanced on a 5-0 vote. AB 1731 would create the California Healthy Food Procurement Fund Program to connect schools with California farmers and food businesses through an approved vendor system and procurement support, with a priority for climate-smart agricultural practices. Supporters included school nutrition, farm, environmental, and consumer groups, as well as a rural school district and a farm that described the bill as helping local markets and student access to fresh food. Senators raised questions about climate-smart eligibility and school budgets, but the bill was supported and passed 5-0 to Appropriations. AB 2380 would raise the maximum county fee used to support county agricultural commissioner operations, with a three-year phase-in. The author and the county commissioners’ association said the increase is needed because fees have not been updated in decades and the work is essential for pest control, pesticide enforcement, and public safety. The bill passed 4-0. The committee also heard AB 1603, as amended, which would require DPR to list PFOS pesticides in the pesticide use reporting database and share the information with county agricultural commissioners; the author and supporters described it as a transparency measure, while agricultural and industry groups said they would remove opposition once amendments were in print. It passed 4-1. The four consent items—AB 1711, AB 2326, AB 2685, and AB 2778—were also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Caton’s discussion about the safety impacts of this, especially as it relates to commercial
• Representative Caton’s discussion about the safety impacts of this, especially as it relates to commercial
• The, let's see, Let's see, line 22, number 6: a commercial motor carrier whose driver is found to be

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The Transportation Committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2741. Members adopted a committee amendment correcting a wording error, then voted the House committee substitute do pass by a roll call of 9 ayes, 2 noes, and 1 present. Supporters said the bill addressed safety concerns, especially for commercial vehicles, while opponents objected to the subjective standard for proving proficiency and to the $3,000 penalty for violations. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bills 1831, 2328, and 2553, all related to motorcycle passenger safety for children. The bills would require young child passengers to wear helmets, be able to reach foot pegs, and ride on properly equipped seats; the discussion also focused on whether officers could stop motorcycles based on a reasonable suspicion that a child passenger was underage or improperly secured. Bill sponsors said the measures were intended to prevent child deaths and injuries, citing the death of Calvin James, a 4-year-old grandson of one witness, as the reason for “Calvin’s Law.” Testimony was mixed. Family members and several supporters, including emergency nurses, argued the bills were common-sense child protection measures and could prevent traumatic brain injuries or fatalities. Motorcycle advocacy groups and some witnesses said the bills were overbroad, could lead to arbitrary stops or family services involvement, and needed clearer definitions for terms like “proper passenger seat.” Several members raised questions about enforceability, age verification, and whether the fine structure was an effective deterrent. No votes were taken on the three motorcycle bills, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• and I stand before you today on behalf of Haynes Harbor where we support girls who have survived commercial
• coverage, but what is important for professional liability insurance in Florida is the shrinking commercial
• two, if it's not fixed now, will continue down the same path and we will have a system where the commercial

Transcript Highlights:

• We certainly have the money to do commercials about behavior because we did it all through the election
• So we should do commercials if the commercial should say after this bill passes and is signed the law

Keywords: 999, senate, all