Transcript Highlights:

• The jurisdiction section. Oh yeah, sorry about that.
• The jurisdiction section. Oh yeah, sorry about that.

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Government Operations Committee met on March 20, 2025, and heard two resolutions. STR 239/SR 215 would request the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation to provide universal changing accommodations in state facilities, state parks, and city and county parks. The only testimony noted was late comments from DAG; no one testified in person or on Zoom. The committee also heard STR 44, which seeks to convene a legislative working group to recommend family notice and standardized consent provisions for pre-contracts governing cremation. Testimony was mixed: DCCA’s complaints and enforcement office asked to include the Department of Health Environmental branch, while the Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association, Mililani Group, Dodo Mortuary, and Soy Garden Mortuary opposed the measure, saying funeral homes already provide the relevant disclosures; Senator Carol Fukunaga and one individual testified in support. The chair said the issue belonged more properly in the consumer protection committee, but the committee would still move the resolution forward and note the concerns in the report. In decision-making, the committee adopted both measures as Senate Draft 1 with technical, non-substantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style. For STR 44, the committee also agreed to keep DCCA in the working group, add the Department of Health Environmental branch, and change the phrase “mainland jurisdiction” to “other states.” The measures passed with the vice chair and Senator Sam Bentura voting yes, while Senators Morawaki and Favilla were excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• The exemption provided in this section shall not apply to taxes levied by counties...
• I think it's to replace lines 24 through 26 on page one with the following: Section one, for the purpose

Bills: HB333 , HB329 , HB362

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: law enforcement, training facility, regional authority, municipal cooperation, public safety, military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, transparency, public meetings, accountability, education, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ANOTHER SECTION IS EXPENDITURES, THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT FINDINGS WITHIN THIS AREA.
• THAT CONCLUDES MY SECTION ON COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. >> MR. CHAIR. >> Sen.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> the</c><01:58:58.719><c> legislation</c> there are sections of the legislation there are sections
• We're looking to change the calendar days inclusion in that section to five instead of three.
• </c><02:02:26.639><c> to</c> inclusion in that section to inclusion in that section to five<02:02:28.719
• </c> In the next paragraph in section B, we're looking to add the word exclusively.
• Um, really the only one left in this sort of section is in paragraph C.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would codify the department’s interpretation that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary coverage for a newborn, unless the mother has no insurance or coverage under an employer-sponsored plan. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure is a clarification of existing practice and intended to protect vulnerable newborns; a question from Rep. Miles clarified that if a young woman is on her parents’ policy, the newborn would generally be covered under that family coverage. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Sen. Kevin Avard, which would require insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, Medicare Advantage plans. Commissioner Benton Court said the bill arose from disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers, brokers, and the department were confused by carriers changing or ending offerings; he said the department wanted a simple notification requirement so it could better advise consumers. Members discussed network adequacy, county-based service areas, and the fact that the bill would make notice a condition of licensure, with possible fines or license action for noncompliance. Witness Paula Rogers of AHIP said her group supported the bill if amended, and the department indicated it would support a change from a 120-day notice period to 90 days to align with state rules; the committee planned to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Rep. Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion of pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole argued the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell drugs at a loss, describing PBMs as middlemen and saying the measure is a compromise that protects local pharmacies. Members questioned whether consumers would pay more and whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts; Cole responded that the bill would let pharmacies refuse unprofitable fills while consumers could still obtain the drug through mail order or other channels. He also said the issue has changed over time because the practice now affects a much larger share of generics and is concentrated among a few PBMs. The hearing remained open as questions continued, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• You cut it over five sections. You eliminate that stabilization fund.
• You cut it over five sections. You eliminate that stabilization fund.
• </c><02:36:49.080><c> the</c> the charter school section the the charter school section the section<02
• :36:50.680><c> or</c><02:36:50.920><c> the</c><02:36:51.080><c> voucher</c><02:36:51.800><c> Section<
• /c><02:36:52.399><c> I</c><02:36:52.479><c> don't</c> section or the voucher Section I don't section

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on HB 563, which would revise the education funding formula for pupils receiving special education services by replacing the current single special education amount with three differentiated categories. Representative Rick Ladd, the prime sponsor, said the bill largely tracks a House-passed version from the prior session with minor figure adjustments, and explained that the proposal uses projected FY26 amounts for three categories based on time in general education versus more intensive placements. He also noted that the bill does not address catastrophic aid directly, but that special education aid, CAT aid, and proration all remain issues for later work sessions. Ladd and supporters argued that weighted categories better reflect actual costs and are more sustainable than treating all IEPs the same. Representative Margaret Drye said the approach was one of the best ideas from the education funding subcommittee and urged the committee to support differentiated aid. Representative Ames asked how the category amounts were derived, and Ladd said Category A follows the FY26 base, Category B is a higher weight, and Category C is a still higher weight for more intensive services, though he acknowledged the exact multipliers were developed earlier and could be revisited. He also said the committee would continue discussing whether the weights are appropriate and how they interact with CAT aid. Testimony from Bonnie Dunham strongly opposed the bill. She argued that funding based on placement rather than actual service need would create incentives to move students into more restrictive settings, could stigmatize children with labels such as "Category C," and would undermine the least restrictive environment requirements under federal special education law. She described her son’s experience in inclusive settings as beneficial and said the bill would have penalized the district for serving him there. In response to questions, she said schools and parents should base funding on the child’s actual needs and costs, not on placement, and urged the committee to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate.

Transcript Highlights:

• We met a number of times, either this summer or this fall, and sort of went over each section of it and
• This whole extradition thing is based in the United States Constitution, Article 4, Section 2.
• We have specifically added, on page 2, line 11, Section N: Nothing in this section shall be construed
• Do you have the latest version of the bill with, um, section 9 starting on line 11, that says nothing
• 7 Roman numeral statute uh it's section 7 Roman numeral 7<04:24:06.040><c> about</c><04:24:06.640><c

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires a required under section B.
• It says it in section A2.
• Uh section A2 says each local you will.
• It says it in section A2. &gt;&gt; Yes, it is. It says it in section A2.
• Essentially what we're actually doing is breaking that up into two sections, Section A and Section B.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Asmussen moves to amend House File 4074 as follows: Page 89, delete section one.
• I'll read the section of the provision that Senator Nelson requested.
• I'd like for you to go to section 103.
• Page four, delete<02:50:53.600><c> section</c><02:50:54.000><c> 7.
• This is the A11 delete section 7. This is the A11 amendment. amendment. amendment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:19.440><c> Is</c><00:41:19.599><c> there</c> assessment under this section.
• Is there assessment under this section.
• House Bill 1050 also establishes two new sections to RSA chapter 674.
• </c> 1050 also establishes two new sections 1050 also establishes two new sections to<02:01:49.360><c
• </c><04:21:32.800><c> one,</c> the I'm looking at section one, the I'm looking at section one, the<04

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's my reading bill per that section.
• I think that means disciplinary proceedings as defined in section one.
• I think that means disciplinary proceedings as defined in section one.
• But if you as defined in section one.
• So I'm a big fan of a fiscal capacity aid section of the formula.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee’s higher education subcommittee met to discuss HB 443, HB 510, and related issues. The chair explained the subcommittee membership and noted that Representative Luno was absent and replaced by Representative Bricky, with other full committee members allowed to participate in discussion but not final votes. No votes were taken during this meeting, and the chair said final subcommittee recommendations would likely come in the first week of November. On HB 443, which concerns terms of appointment to the Higher Education Commission, the chair described the bill as intended to let the governor replace members who are not attending or no longer representing the appointing organization. He said the prior governor supported the idea, but the current governor’s office believes the bill is unnecessary because nonattendance or loss of representation would already amount to resignation or removal. Members raised questions about legal authority and whether the same principle should apply to other boards. The chair said he was leaning toward finding the bill not needed, but would continue discussion later. The committee then spent most of the meeting on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty at public higher education institutions and address collective bargaining issues. Supporters, including Representatives Papovich and Brown, argued the bill would provide clear, minimum protections, especially because campus rules are lengthy and vary by institution; Brown also suggested adding an independent ombudsman or representation for students. Opponents, including Representatives Burton and Bricky, said existing campus regulations already provide due process and that the bill could interfere with campus governance and collective bargaining. The chair and others discussed whether the bill’s definitions should be aligned with existing law to avoid confusion, and several members suggested using existing statutory definitions or cross-references. The chair also said the bill would apply only when disciplinary action is involved, not as a general challenge to DEI policies, though members referenced recent national examples involving DEI-related disputes as context.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder to the committee and our visitors today, under House Rule 4, Section 13, House committees
• with 11 employees to secure... ...county roads in a local TxDOT maintenance section with 11 employees
• with 11 employees to secure. county roads in a local text-dot maintenance section with 11 employees
• Guadalupe County has like 23 along there, their section of the GBRA.
• Guadalupe County has like 23 along there, their section of the GBRA.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions. The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood. Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.

Transcript Highlights:

• you'll see the uh industry going section you'll see the uh industry going up<01:29:05.199><c> in</c>
• 5 which is the uh addressing the section 5 which is the uh addressing the 5%<01:50:07.520><c> carryover
• </c><01:56:29.719><c> 5</c><01:56:30.719><c> which</c> That is Article 7, Section 5, which requires when
• And I know it's the animal quarantine section. What's the conversation happening?
• </c><04:45:09.480><c> what's</c><04:45:09.680><c> the</c> animal quarantine section what's the animal

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held its first informational briefing for 2025, beginning with member introductions and then hearing an economic outlook presentation from Dr. Eugene Tian of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Tian said Hawaii’s economy was in relatively good shape in several areas, especially construction, which he described as at a historical high, with construction employment above 40,000 monthly and building permit values and contracting tax base both up sharply. He also noted real estate sales had rebounded in 2024, the labor market had stabilized with unemployment around 2.9%, and initial unemployment claims were below 2019 levels. At the same time, he highlighted challenges including inflation running above the national rate, a shrinking labor force, lower employment compared with 2023, and continued weakness in visitor spending and arrivals. He said future growth would likely come from health care, professional services, construction, tourism recovery, and diversified sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, creative industries, and technology. Dr. Tian also discussed Hawaii’s economic structure and recovery, saying the state remains more concentrated in a few industries than the U.S. overall, with government and hospitality making up larger shares of the economy. He said non-tourism sectors had recovered, but tourism-related jobs and output were still below pre-pandemic levels, with Maui and the visitor industry still affected by the wildfire and COVID-19 impacts. He projected tourism and non-agricultural wage and salary jobs would not fully recover until 2027, and said population trends remain a concern because of aging, the likelihood of deaths outpacing births in coming years, and reliance on in-migration. After his presentation, the chair said questions would be taken later and the committee took a short break. After the break, Dr. Carano of the Hawaii Executive Director’s office presented a second outlook, saying Hawaii’s economy in 2025 looked better than 2024 overall, though he emphasized substantial uncertainty tied to the incoming federal administration. He said possible changes to tariffs, tax policy, immigration, and federal spending could raise inflation and keep interest rates higher than previously expected, which would affect housing, consumer debt, the dollar, and Hawaii’s visitor industry. He noted that U.S. visitors account for roughly three-quarters of visitor spending in the state, making federal policy especially important. He also said deregulation could be a long-term positive but would not likely have much effect in 2025 or 2026. As an additional risk, he pointed to bird flu and its effect on livestock, poultry, and egg prices. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:44:53.599><c> 1326</c> and today under um section 1326 and today under um section 1326 um<00:
• Since the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, section two of the Voting Rights Act, section four
• two of the Voting Act of 1965, section two of the Voting Rights<03:33:33.279><c> Act,</c> Rights Act
• Rights Act, section four of the Voting Rights Act, section<03:33:38.160><c> five</c><03:33:38.319><c
• five of the Voting Rights Act, section five of the Voting Rights Act, all<03:33:39.680><c> of</c><03

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Limmer: The existing statute, if you look at the existing subdivision three, section or paragraph
• They have to report evidence obtained in violation of the section is not admissible as evidence in a
• So, you delete that entire section. Okay. Senator Latz has made the motion.
• Uh, but then there's one other, and the page handed out a photocopy of section 169A.60, which is the
• Uh, but then there's one other, and the page handed out a photocopy of section 169A.60, which is the

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He added, “I believe this section that she’s referring to is our license for that full liquor license
• So I now see two things: I see strategic reserve established, and then in this section those are all
• So I now see two things: I see strategic reserve established, and then in this section those are all
• those are all definitions this section those are all definitions right<03:39:20.920><c> so</c><03:39
• </c><03:50:04.040><c> of</c><03:50:04.159><c> the</c> that in their section of the that in their section

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first dealt with a brew pub license bill and corrected some sponsor/subcommittee roster confusion before voting to pass it without discussion. The main item of debate was a bill allowing patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restrooms. The bill sponsor argued the current ban is outdated, rarely enforced, and can leave patrons vulnerable if they set drinks down and leave them unattended; he said establishments could still post their own rules if they wished. Liquor enforcement officials said they were neutral overall, noting both the risk of drinks being left unattended and the practical concerns of underage drinking, over-service, and restroom monitoring. Testimony split between those who saw the law as a non-issue and those who viewed it as a safety measure. One member said he had never seen anyone take alcohol into a restroom and opposed changing the law, while others cited drink-spiking concerns and suggested alternatives such as safe zones behind bars, drink covers, and alert apps. Industry representatives said many operators would prefer to keep the law as-is because it helps with policing drinking in their establishments, though they acknowledged the motivation behind the bill. Several members also raised drafting concerns, saying the wording was confusing about whether the rule applied to patrons or establishments. The committee ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the bill ought to pass. Afterward, members discussed amending the language to clarify that establishments could still prohibit the practice, but one member suggested a simpler fix would be to strike the word “restroom” from the prohibition entirely. The committee then unanimously voted to reconsider its action so the language could be revised later, and the amendment discussion was left for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The forensic laboratory is separated into five sections: toxicology, evidence control, pattern evidence
• </c><00:35:23.240><c> um</c><00:35:23.359><c> it's</c><00:35:23.760><c> toxicology</c> five sections
• um it's toxicology five sections um it's toxicology evidence<00:35:25.160><c> control</c><00:35:26.000
• We have about 84 different patrol sections and facilities to maintain the state highway system across
• </c><01:35:51.920><c> and</c> 84 different uh Patrol uh sections and 84 different uh Patrol uh sections

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• would divide the remaining sections and the effective date.
• 1 through 13 and the take is on sections 1 through 13 and the effective<01:04:19.920><c> date.
• The second vote is on the remaining sections and the effective date. >> Okay.
• So just to be clear, the second vote is on the remaining sections and the effective date.
• sections and the effective<01:04:54.640><c> date.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:14:41.920><c> was</c><00:14:42.240><c> replaced</c><00:14:43.680><c> by</c><00:14:44.079><c> section
• </c> this bill as it was replaced by section this bill as it was replaced by section 379<00:14:45.920
• If you want to look it up, it's section 287.
• If you want to look it up, it's section 287.
• If you want to look it up, it's section 287.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met on October 30 to act on a series of bills that had been considered during the budget process, with many being recommended for inexpedient to legislate because their funding or policy language had already been handled in House Bill 2. Early actions were largely unanimous. House Bill 54, allowing alternate treatment centers to operate for profit, was recommended ought to pass and was approved 25-0, then placed on the consent calendar because it carried no appropriation. House Bill 97, a wastewater and infrastructure appropriation, was recommended inexpedient to legislate because its funding had been replaced in HB 2; Representative Rum opposed the motion and argued the grant funding helps local taxpayers and housing development, but the committee adopted ITL 14-11, with a minority report to follow. House Bill 111, dealing with the right-to-know ombudsman, was also unanimously recommended ITL because the budget had already made related reforms. The committee then took up House Bill 164, and adopted Amendment 225-2979H, which appropriates $150,000 in FY 2027 to the Secretary of State’s Division of Archives and Records Management for a local government records manager position. The amended bill was then recommended ought to pass as amended and approved 25-0. House Bill 197, the Property Tax Relief Act, drew the most extended debate. Supporters said it would restore a state contribution to retirement costs for local employers and provide property tax relief, while opponents argued the earlier change was largely offset by employee contribution increases and other retirement-system adjustments. The committee ultimately adopted ITL 14-11, and a minority report was requested. The committee also acted on House Bill 215, a landfill-related bill. Members explained that most of its language had been included in HB 2 but was removed in conference, so the bill was retained and amended to apply more narrowly to new landfills. Amendment 2025-2970H was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then recommended ought to pass as amended by a 25-0 vote. House Bill 216, which would change retirement eligibility rules for certain workers injured on the job, was recommended inexpedient to legislate after its sponsor said the fiscal impact was too uncertain to support. Finally, House Bill 219 received Amendment 2025-2988H to change its effective date to July 1, 2027, and discussion began on the bill’s broader purpose of returning about $5.7 million annually from RPS funds to ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rather than write a whole new section of the statute to kind of go through what is in the O?
• That's not the right section. >> No, it's not right. Hold on.
• That's not the right section. >> No, it's not right. Hold on. >> It's in one of the RSA.
• That's not the right section. >> No, it's not right.
• That's not the right section. >> No, it's not right.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, I think that's at section four, line 12. Or is it 13? Which page? On page two, line 12.
• We would, you know, we could move it up to the other section that just covers the long-term care.
• Um, we would also accept the fact that if it's an extended public comment section, we want people not
• We would, you know, we could move it up to the other section that just covers the long-term care.
• It was sections 520 through 522 of the Senate-passed version of House Bill 2.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all