Transcript Highlights:

• We have we<00:49:04.559><c> have</c><00:49:04.800><c> the</c><00:49:05.200><c> the</c><00:49:05.599><
• </c><00:49:19.280><c> President</c><00:49:19.680><c> like</c><00:49:19.839><c> to</c><00:49:20.000><c
• &gt;&gt; Oh,<00:49:24.400><c> we</c><00:49:24.480><c> got</c><00:49:24.559><c> to</c><00:49:24.640><c
• > carry</c><00:49:24.880><c> What</c><00:49:25.040><c> do</c><00:49:25.119><c> you</c><00:49:25.200><
• </c><00:49:30.319><c> Senate</c><00:49:30.559><c> Bill</c><00:49:30.880><c> 165</c><00:49:31.280><c>

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:05.200><c> and</c><00:49:05.240><c> Senator</c><00:49:05.560><c> Westrom,</c><00:49:06.600
• ><c> I</c><00:49:10.320><c> said,</c><00:49:10.480><c> we</c><00:49:10.600><c> were</c><00:49:10.720>
• And then<00:49:13.920><c> if</c><00:49:14.120><c> something</c><00:49:14.640><c> if</c><00:49:14.840>
• 16.640><c> comes</c><00:49:16.880><c> out</c><00:49:17.000><c> of</c><00:49:17.080><c> this</c><00:49
• 49:32.280><c> if</c><00:49:32.520><c> if</c><00:49:32.680><c> no</c><00:49:32.920><c> is</c><00:49:33.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:49:05.720><c> it</c><00:49:05.800><c> requires</c><00:49:06.240><c> them</c><00:49:06.400><c>
• to be a a<00:49:08.600><c> And</c><00:49:08.840><c> what</c><00:49:09.000><c> is</c><00:49:09.200><c
• > what</c><00:49:09.400><c> is</c><00:49:09.560><c> the</c><00:49:09.640><c> current</c><00:49:10.120
• </c><00:49:14.840><c> Now,</c><00:49:15.040><c> is</c><00:49:15.200><c> this</c><00:49:15.440><c> a</
• 00:49:38.840><c> amazed</c><00:49:39.600><c> at</c><00:49:39.760><c> how</c><00:49:40.000><c> you</c>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:16.880><c> And</c><00:49:17.119><c> at</c><00:49:17.280><c> the</c><00:49:17.359><c> end</
• </c><00:49:26.800><c> of</c><00:49:26.960><c> whether</c><00:49:27.280><c> they</c><00:49:27.520><c>
• in</c><00:49:32.400><c> court</c><00:49:32.559><c> at</c><00:49:32.720><c> the</c><00:49:32.800><c>
• </c><00:49:33.200><c> So,</c><00:49:33.839><c> um</c><00:49:33.920><c> I</c><00:49:34.160><c> just</c
• ><00:49:34.240><c> want</c><00:49:34.400><c> to</c><00:49:34.480><c> be</c><00:49:34.559><c> very</c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures. SB 2723, which would designate April 27 as State Sheriff’s Day, was supported by the Department of Law Enforcement and a long-serving sheriff, who described the historical roots of Hawaii’s sheriffs in the Kingdom of Hawaii and said the bill would recognize that legacy. HGA submitted written comments, and there was no opposition or vote taken on the measure during the excerpt. The committees then heard SB 17 on wildfire mitigation. The Public Utilities Commission, DLNR, the State Fire Council, OPSD, the Attorney General’s office, and Kamehameha Schools all testified, mostly in support of the bill’s intent but with suggested amendments. Several witnesses said the bill should better define the working group’s structure, staffing, and funding, and the Attorney General noted constitutional concerns about placing the group outside a principal department and pointed out possible overlap with Acts 302 and 303 from the prior year. Committee members questioned whether SB 17 duplicated earlier wildfire legislation, and witnesses generally said it did not directly conflict but overlapped with existing efforts. On SB 2358, which would require reimbursement for search-and-rescue costs when people leave trails and enter closed areas, the State Fire Council and the Hawaii SAR Alliance testified in opposition or caution, arguing that reimbursement could deter people from calling for help and that Hawaii’s SAR system still has structural and administrative gaps. A committee member asked whether other jurisdictions had used similar measures without discouraging rescues; the Fire Council said Kauai has a similar law but it has not resulted in invoices being sent. No action was taken in the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 2475 on Red Hill remediation funding and reimbursement from the Department of Defense. The Board of Water Supply, DLNR, and other testifiers supported the bill, emphasizing the need for long-term research, monitoring, and cleanup, while also noting the unique groundwater conditions and the importance of keeping the funds focused on Red Hill contamination response. Committee members asked about existing federal and state funding, whether the state had received any direct federal money, and what would happen if reimbursement is not obtained. DLNR said it was still working through the reimbursement mechanism and that some federal funding had gone to the Red Hill registry, but not directly to the state for this purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:49:35.520><c> you</c><00:49:35.680><c> sell</c><00:49:35.920><c> your</c><00:49:36.160><c> unit</c
• ><c> you</c><00:49:40.400><c> can</c><00:49:40.559><c> do</c><00:49:40.720><c> so,</c><00:49:41.359><
• So in practical<00:49:44.720><c> terms</c><00:49:45.040><c> that's</c><00:49:45.359><c> very</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:54.400><c> also</c><00:49:54.720><c> is</c><00:49:54.880><c> to</c><00:49:55.040><c> allow
• ><c> to</c><00:49:55.599><c> move</c><00:49:55.839><c> up</c><00:49:55.920><c> the</c><00:49:56.079><

Bills: HB1721, HB1714, HB1718, HB1732, HB1740, HB1777, HB1842, HB1919, HB1701, HB1923, HB1741, HB1734, HB1739

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• as</c><00:49:07.760><c> was</c><00:49:08.440><c> presented</c><00:49:08.799><c> in</c><00:49:08.920><
• ><c> as</c><00:49:09.640><c> kind</c><00:49:09.760><c> of</c><00:49:09.880><c> the</c><00:49:10.079><
• factor that would<00:49:10.680><c> make</c><00:49:11.000><c> this</c><00:49:11.599><c> run</c><00:49
• :49:13.119><c> court</c><00:49:13.400><c> cases</c><00:49:13.839><c> like</c><00:49:13.960><c> would<
• <c> it's</c><00:49:36.359><c> a</c><00:49:36.520><c> drop</c><00:49:36.799><c> in</c><00:49:37.000><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:23.040><c> come</c><00:49:23.200><c> into</c><00:49:23.520><c> court</c><00:49:24.240><c> uh</
• have</c><01:49:05.400><c> an</c><01:49:05.679><c> issue</c><01:49:06.159><c> with</c><01:49:06.320><
• as</c><01:49:07.280><c> written</c><01:49:08.199><c> using</c><01:49:08.560><c> the</c><01:49:08.760
• </c><01:49:15.440><c> who</c><01:49:16.159><c> get</c><01:49:16.360><c> a</c><01:49:16.560><c> pill</
• stay</c><01:49:17.360><c> up</c><01:49:17.599><c> all</c><01:49:17.800><c> night</c><01:49:18.000><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We<00:49:03.680><c> need</c><00:49:03.920><c> to</c><00:49:05.119><c> exert</c><00:49:05.920><c> the<
• And<00:49:09.040><c> when</c><00:49:09.280><c> someone</c><00:49:09.599><c> commits</c><00:49:09.920>
• c> need</c><00:49:13.440><c> to</c><00:49:13.599><c> be</c><00:49:14.319><c> paid</c><00:49:14.640><c
• Uh<00:49:17.359><c> I'd</c><00:49:17.599><c> like</c><00:49:17.760><c> to</c><00:49:17.920><c> know</
• c><00:49:18.079><c> if</c><00:49:18.400><c> any</c><00:49:18.640><c> and</c><00:49:18.880><c> on</c><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; No,<00:49:19.599><c> you</c><00:49:19.839><c> can</c><00:49:20.000><c> keep</c><00:49:20.800
• </c><00:49:23.040><c> So</c><00:49:24.000><c> about</c><00:49:24.319><c> a</c><00:49:24.559><c> year<
• </c><00:49:37.920><c> be</c><00:49:38.079><c> necessary</c><00:49:38.640><c> to</c><00:49:39.040><c>
• :49:45.520><c> when</c><00:49:45.839><c> children</c><00:49:46.480><c> come</c><00:49:46.720><c> into
• 00:49:50.079><c> they</c><00:49:50.319><c> either</c><00:49:50.559><c> have</c><00:49:50.640><c> an</

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division 3 met in work session and opened with procedural remarks from the chair about the committee’s schedule, deadlines, and recommendation options, noting the meeting was advisory and no votes were expected. The first bill discussed, House Bill 1569, concerned repealing the directive to sell the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property in Concord. Testimony from DHHS and New Hampshire Hospital focused on whether the property could be subdivided, the relationship to Senate Bill 572, the status of the city of Concord’s first right of refusal, and the practical effects of a sale. Witnesses said the $5 million sale estimate was a budget assumption, that moving staff and equipment would create some relocation costs, and that the center had required significant recent maintenance and renovation spending. Members also discussed the number of transitional housing beds at the site, the temporary nature of those beds, and whether the property should remain available given hospital workforce and service needs. The committee then turned to House Bill 661, which had been recommitted for further review after new information emerged. The chair summarized federal developments, including a December 2025 ACF letter and a related executive order, as well as a federal HHS press release about states diverting foster youths’ Social Security survivor benefits. Representative Walner explained that amendment 3055H had been drafted to move the bill forward in smaller steps, with a fiscal note requested on the amendment because the original bill was viewed as too large and expensive. Members discussed whether the committee had received copies of the amendment and whether federal guidance or funding had changed the policy landscape. The discussion also included broader questions about foster youth benefits and whether federal action would support state implementation. One member cited ACF language stating that only 11 states had enacted policies to stop interception of survivor benefits and that technical assistance would be available to the remaining states. The meeting remained in work-session mode throughout, with no votes taken and no final recommendations made during the portion provided. The chair indicated the committee could return to the bills later in the month.

Transcript Highlights:

• :49.240><c> in</c><00:49:49.440><c> the</c><00:49:49.559><c> school</c><00:49:50.000><c> is</c><00:49
• <c> is</c><00:49:54.119><c> an</c><00:49:54.319><c> option</c><00:49:54.680><c> for</c><00:49:54.799>
• </c><00:49:58.760><c> again</c><00:49:59.040><c> it's</c><00:49:59.559><c> it's</c><00:49:59.720><c>
• :00.560><c> so</c><03:49:00.840><c> when</c><03:49:01.000><c> it</c><03:49:01.120><c> uses</c><03:49:
• uses a language which<03:49:02.239><c> is</c><03:49:02.399><c> made</c><03:49:02.600><c> a</c><03:49

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:49:06.040><c> Um</c><01:49:06.280><c> so</c><01:49:06.520><c> I</c><01:49:06.600><c> support<
• Question.<01:49:33.720><c> I</c><01:49:33.800><c> might</c><01:49:33.960><c> have</c><01:49:34.120><c
• c><01:49:38.280><c> in</c><01:49:38.360><c> a</c><01:49:38.440><c> work</c><01:49:38.640><c> session<
• milligrams<02:49:16.120><c> by</c><02:49:16.360><c> weight</c><02:49:16.880><c> of</c><02:49:17.760><
• </c><02:49:20.200><c> What</c><02:49:20.320><c> if</c><02:49:20.440><c> I</c><02:49:20.520><c> have</

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• know</c><01:49:08.480><c> the</c><01:49:08.719><c> work</c><01:49:08.960><c> is</c><01:49:09.280><c>
• that's</c><01:49:11.679><c> that's</c><01:49:12.159><c> my</c><01:49:12.960><c> take</c><01:49:13.360
• And so<01:49:23.920><c> I</c><01:49:24.320><c> I</c><01:49:24.719><c> think</c><01:49:24.880><c> I</c
• </c><01:49:30.800><c> I</c><01:49:30.960><c> just</c><01:49:31.199><c> want</c><01:49:31.360><c> to</
• :49:39.920><c> way</c><01:49:40.159><c> of</c><01:49:40.320><c> vetting</c><01:49:40.719><c> these</c

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 49:04.760><c> follow</c><00:49:05.000><c> on</c><00:49:05.119><c> to</c><00:49:05.359><c> that</c><00
• <00:49:07.040><c> would</c><00:49:07.160><c> be</c><00:49:07.799><c> great</c><00:49:08.799><c> just<
• </c><00:49:10.359><c> try</c><00:49:11.359><c> you're</c><00:49:11.520><c> gonna</c><00:49:12.119><c>
• <00:49:20.520><c> and</c><00:49:21.520><c> I</c><00:49:21.680><c> assume</c><00:49:22.280><c> which</
• c><00:49:34.760><c> I</c><00:49:34.880><c> explain</c><00:49:35.240><c> I'm</c><00:49:35.319><c> a</c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 552, which would remove the “full-time student” requirement for children ages 19 to 25 covered under the state retiree health insurance plan. The prime sponsor said the change would align retiree coverage with state employee and ACA plans, would not cost taxpayers because retirees pay the premiums, and could even reduce administrative burden and possibly state costs. The chair noted the bill simply removes the words “if full-time student” from statute and said the proposal affects very few retirees and has no cost to the state. No opposition was presented, and the chair closed the hearing on HB 552 after no further testimony. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 648, which would require commercial insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices and supplies for people with diabetes. The prime sponsor, a retired dietitian and diabetes educator, gave extensive testimony describing diabetes as common, costly, and serious, and argued that continuous glucose monitoring is important for managing type 2 and gestational diabetes, preventing hypoglycemia, and improving safety and decision-making. She said CGMs can alert users to dangerous blood sugar changes, help people understand how food, activity, and medication affect glucose, and save lives while offering a strong return on investment. During questions, a committee member asked whether the bill should specify that the monitoring be tied to prescribed treatment, and the sponsor agreed that adding “prescribed” would be appropriate. The member also asked about the proper threshold for coverage and whether the bill should be tied to fasting-test diagnosis; the sponsor responded that A1C is only one measure of control and does not show daily fluctuations, and said she was not prepared to recommend a specific threshold but could provide clinical guidelines later. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the sponsor indicated support for the bill’s general approach to broader CGM access.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; That<01:49:30.719><c> that</c><01:49:30.800><c> that</c><01:49:31.440><c> is</c><01:49:31.840
• </c><01:49:39.840><c> I</c><01:49:40.000><c> would</c><01:49:40.159><c> just</c><01:49:40.320><c> say
• I would just say I'm<01:49:41.119><c> going</c><01:49:41.280><c> to</c><01:49:41.440><c> be</c><01:49
• </c><01:49:59.199><c> It</c><01:49:59.440><c> can</c><01:49:59.600><c> cause</c><01:49:59.840><c> a</
• 49:27.279><c> uh</c><03:49:27.439><c> well</c><03:49:27.760><c> it</c><03:49:27.840><c> it</c><03:49:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:16.319><c> yield</c><00:49:16.640><c> myself</c><00:49:17.040><c> as</c><00:49:17.280><c> much</c
• Mr.<00:49:21.440><c> Speaker,</c><00:49:21.839><c> today</c><00:49:22.559><c> we're</c><00:49:22.880>
• <c> big</c><00:49:26.160><c> beautiful</c><00:49:26.640><c> bill</c><00:49:26.960><c> act</c><00:49:27.280
• > in</c><00:49:35.520><c> our</c><00:49:35.760><c> military</c><00:49:36.160><c> and</c><00:49:36.400
• We must pass<01:49:01.679><c> this</c><01:49:01.920><c> bill</c><01:49:02.159><c> to</c><01:49:02.400

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 49:03.680><c> that</c><00:49:03.920><c> cars</c><00:49:04.240><c> are</c><00:49:04.400><c> going</c><
• </c><00:49:06.880><c> local</c><00:49:07.040><c> levels</c><00:49:07.359><c> at</c><00:49:07.599><c>
• And<00:49:17.839><c> I</c><00:49:18.079><c> think</c><00:49:18.240><c> one</c><00:49:18.400><c> of</c
• ><00:49:18.480><c> the</c><00:49:18.640><c> big</c><00:49:18.800><c> things</c><00:49:19.040><c> is,<
• I think<00:49:25.200><c> that</c><00:49:25.440><c> would</c><00:49:25.520><c> be</c><00:49:25.680><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reg uh<03:49:03.600><c> regulated</c><03:49:04.159><c> furnishers</c><03:49:04.640><c> of</c><03:49:
• :23.920><c> be</c><03:49:24.120><c> very</c><03:49:24.359><c> easy</c><03:49:24.760><c> for</c><03:49
• uh it's<03:49:33.120><c> it's</c><03:49:33.279><c> clearly</c><03:49:33.640><c> a</c><03:49:33.800><
• > could</c><03:49:36.600><c> also</c><03:49:36.840><c> lead</c><03:49:37.120><c> to</c><03:49:37.840>
• the<03:49:51.279><c> Fair</c><03:49:51.560><c> Housing</c><03:49:52.000><c> Act</c><03:49:52.600><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> room</c><00:49:10.079><c> uh</c><00:49:10.160><c> to</c><00:49:10.319><c> win</c><00:49:10.559><c>
• ><c> and</c><00:49:11.680><c> lunch</c><00:49:12.319><c> because</c><00:49:12.559><c> they</c><00:49:
• And<00:49:20.720><c> it</c><00:49:20.960><c> breaks</c><00:49:21.200><c> my</c><00:49:21.359><c> heart
• </c><00:49:21.680><c> that</c><00:49:22.000><c> many</c><00:49:22.240><c> of</c><00:49:22.319><c> the
• breakfast and lunch<00:49:25.200><c> are</c><00:49:25.440><c> not</c><00:49:25.680><c> safe</c><00:49

Bills: HF3435, HF3409

Keywords: school access, school site, school district, charter school, federal agents, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP, Customs and Border Protection, USCIS, immigration enforcement, judicial warrant, student privacy, school safety, sanctuary schools, warrant requirement, federal warrant, school grounds

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> Vice</c><00:49:36.680><c> chair</c><00:49:36.839><c> for</c><00:49:36.960><c> the</c><00:49:37.160
• </c><00:49:46.240><c> are</c><00:49:46.400><c> there</c><00:49:46.520><c> any</c><00:49:46.720><c> NOS
• or reservations<00:49:48.160><c> no</c><00:49:48.359><c> vote</c><00:49:49.079><c> uh</c><00:49:49.200
• <00:49:52.400><c> okay</c><00:49:52.640><c> hearing</c><00:49:52.960><c> no</c><00:49:53.160><c> others
• > Bill</c><00:49:56.079><c> 345</c><00:49:56.880><c> house</c><00:49:57.040><c> draft</c><00:49:57.319

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard several measures, beginning with HB 194, which would designate May 22 as Maritime Day. Testimony from labor, health, and community groups was in support, and the committee later recommended passage of the bill as is, with several members voting yes and some reserving or being excused. HB 458 would designate April 27 as Brother Joseph Dutton Day; the Department of Accounting and General Services, the Joseph Dutton Guild, and a descendant all supported it, and the committee recommended passage with technical amendments. HB 957 would designate the first Friday in May as Lā‘au Day; support came from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and many individuals, and the committee recommended passage as is. HB 345 would establish the ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to promote awareness and protection of anchialine ecosystems; DLNR, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAu, and other supporters testified, and the committee recommended passage with technical amendments. The committee also heard HB 901, which would allow public charter schools to appeal directly to the Board of Education on certain operational, governance, or funding matters. The Attorney General and the Public Charter School Commission offered technical comments and suggested amendments, while the commission described its current monitoring and renewal process and said it works closely with schools over the life of a charter contract. Members raised concerns about whether the bill would shift too much work to the Board of Education, and one member voted no when the committee later moved the bill with the Attorney General’s amendments. HB 1066 would add Head Start-related ex officio members to the Early Learning Board; the Early Learning Board and the Executive Office on Early Learning supported it, explaining the changes were needed to align with the federal Head Start Act, and the committee moved it forward without opposition. HB 1069 would add voting members from the Department of Education and Board of Education to the School Facilities Authority Board. DOE and the School Facilities Authority supported the change as a way to strengthen collaboration, though questions from members focused on the current communication process between the agencies. HB 1343 would require the Board of Education to adopt a policy banning student phone and related device use during school hours; the committee noted written testimony in support and then moved to decision-making. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted recommendations to pass HB 194, HB 458 with technical amendments, HB 957, HB 345 with technical amendments, HB 901 with amendments, HB 1066, HB 1069, and HB 1343.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> and</c><00:49:02.559><c> that</c><00:49:02.720><c> is</c><00:49:03.040><c> this</c><00:49:03.599>
• &gt;&gt; And<00:49:23.280><c> then</c><00:49:23.520><c> last</c><00:49:23.839><c> question,</c><00:49
• Isn't it true<00:49:29.119><c> that</c><00:49:29.359><c> Maryland</c><00:49:29.920><c> has</c><00:49:
• Um, I<00:49:48.160><c> will</c><00:49:48.319><c> be</c><00:49:48.480><c> voting</c><00:49:48.800><c>
• in</c><00:49:49.040><c> favor</c><00:49:49.200><c> of</c><00:49:49.359><c> this</c><00:49:49.599><c>

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 19, 2026, 957, house, all