Transcript Highlights:

• For a religious exemption in the K-12 world, you have to go to the public health department in your county
• A lot of places, even in the City of Mobile or County of Mobile, they got sued because they were charging
• Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana...
• Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota
• Members of County Boards of Education, local principals, and teachers across our state... principals

Bills: HB266 , SB85 , SB166 , HB266 , SB85 , SB166

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: education, diploma, adult education, dropout prevention, nontraditional high school program, driver's license eligibility, vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• We also plan to relocate the Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
• </c><00:09:06.399><c> Community</c> plan to relocate the Hawaii Community plan to relocate the Hawaii
• ><c> Center,</c> Hawaii Community Correctional Center, Hawaii Community Correctional Center, the<00:09
• The Hollyani work furlough center is part of the Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
• Well, there are a lot of factors, but the main factor is the cost in Hawaii is very high.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution number 204, congratulating the first, second, third, and fourth place teams at the 2026 Hawaii
• ><00:26:50.320><c> 2026</c> and fourth place teams at the 2026 and fourth place teams at the 2026 Hawaii
• </c> Hawaii LifeSmarts State Competition. Hawaii LifeSmarts State Competition.
• Members, today we will be recognizing high school teams who have recently competed in the Hawaii LifeSmarts
• two, who outperformed schools statewide in the online portion of the competition, making it to the Hawaii

Bills: HR204 , SB2925 , SB2798 , SB2320 , SB2800 , SB1230 , SB2706 , SB3233 , SB2405 , SB3320 , SB2543 , SB3097 , SB3096 , SB3140 , SB2593 , SB2567 , SB2466 , SB2140 , SB2088 , SB3090 , SB608 , SB2795 , SB3294 , SB3263 , SB3001 , SB2907 , SB3251 , SB2074 , SB2360 , SB2354 , SB2908 , SB2353 , SB3045 , SB2047 , SB3254 , SB3246 , SB3133 , SB2425 , SB2671 , SB3229 , SB2969 , SB1166 , SB896 , SB2391 , SB2125 , SB3118 , SB3325 , SB2613 , SB2614 , SB494 , SB2376 , SB3326 , SB2001 , SB2599 , SB3048 , SB3169 , SB2002 , SB3247 , SB3253 , SB2155 , SB2192 , SB3187 , SB2190 , SB2398 , SB2424 , SB3028 , SB2338 , SB3219 , SB2981 , HCR14

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:09:03.760><c> the</c><00:09:03.839><c> University</c><00:09:04.080><c> of</c><00:09:04.240><c> Hawaii
• </c><00:09:04.720><c> relief</c> to the University of Hawaii relief to the University of Hawaii relief
• HD1 SD1 relating to the<00:16:10.399><c> University</c><00:16:10.639><c> of</c><00:16:10.759><c> Hawaii
• ><00:16:11.759><c> For</c><00:16:11.920><c> the</c><00:16:12.079><c> House,</c> the University of Hawaii
• For the House, the University of Hawaii.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Hawaii House of Representatives.
• Welcome to the Hawaii House of Representatives.
• reservations, simply stating that I believe this is a home rule issue that should be addressed on the county
• um that should be addressed um<00:36:24.400><c> on</c><00:36:24.560><c> the</c><00:36:24.720><c> county

Summary: The House met with 47 members present and 4 excused, approved deferral of the journal reading, and received no messages from the governor. In Senate communications, the chamber received a Senate concurrent resolution and several House bills returned from the Senate with amendments; Representative Todd moved to disagree with the Senate amendments, and that motion carried by voice vote. The main business was adoption of large groups of standing committee reports. The House adopted reports 1662 through 1696, then 1697 through 1714, and later report 1715, with several members noting “no vote” or “with reservations” on specific measures. One extended floor exchange centered on a measure concerning emergency access in West Oahu, where Representative Souza argued for a second access point for Makakilo residents and referenced wildfire evacuation concerns; other members raised points of order under Rule 287, and the Speaker ruled on the debate. The House also suspended the rules to consider certain Senate bills on third reading by consent calendar. On third reading, the House passed Senate bills listed on page 18, including SB 100 and SB 112, with recorded no votes from several members and support with reservations from Representative Iwamoto, who said SB 100 was a home rule issue better handled at the county level. The chamber then heard announcements, including Representative Takayama’s request for donations of new or gently used women’s business attire for the YWCA Dress for Success program. The House adjourned until 12:00 noon Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reconvening our conference committee meeting is Thursday, April 24th, 10:14 a.m., Agenda, Room 16, Hawaii
• Okay, it's Thursday, April 24th, 10:16 a.m., agenda in Conference Room 16, Hawaii State Capitol.
• Senate Bill 183, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 1, relating to the Hawaii Employer Union Health Benefits
• Uh, you know, I do share your similar concerns. relating to the Hawaii Employer Union relating to the
• Hawaii Employer Union Health<00:36:07.040><c> Benefits</c><00:36:07.520><c> Trust</c><00:36:07.920><

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in Conference Room 224, Hawaii State Capitol. This meeting is being streamed live on YouTube.
• very</c> Okay, let's move on to the next measure: House Bill 477, House Draft 1, relating to the Hawaii
• House Bill 477, House Draft 1, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law.
• We're still in Room 224, Hawaii State Capitol.
• </c> 12th we're still in room 224 Hawaii 12th we're still in room 224 Hawaii state state state capital

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 12 in Room 224 at the Hawaii State Capitol and heard testimony on several labor, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, collective bargaining, and related measures. On House Bill 202, which would revise the definition of the adequate reserve fund for calendar year 2026 and beyond, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported the bill, saying it would protect the solvency of the Unemployment Insurance trust fund. The department explained that the reserve standard had been lowered from 1.5% to 1% in 2010 and argued that restoring it would better prepare the fund for future shocks. Questions focused on whether the change would affect employers’ costs and whether the trust fund had recovered fraud losses from the pandemic; the department said some fraud had been recovered and additional fraud tools were now in place. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and a defective date, and adopted the recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 477 on the Hawaii Employment Security Law, which the department supported as a modernization of the UI system but asked to amend for clarity, especially on registration-for-work language. The committee accepted those requested amendments and recommended passage with amendments. It then took up House Bill 1026 and House Bills 1027 through 1039, covering emergency appropriations for public employment cost items and collective bargaining for units 1 through 14. Testimony from the Budget and Finance director, United Public Workers, the University of Hawaiʻi, HGEA, UHSC, and others was generally in strong support, with one opposition noted on HB 1038. The committee moved all of those measures together and recommended passage with amendments. In its later decision-making agenda, the committee approved several previously heard bills with technical amendments and defective dates, including House Bill 423 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 480 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 162 on collective bargaining arbitration procedures, House Bill 164 on indebtedness to the state, and House Bill 1152 on tax administration. House Bill 214, relating to government and school resource officers, drew discussion about labor shortages and whether the bill should help train existing school resource officers into law enforcement roles; the committee still passed it with amendments. House Bill 874 on child performers was amended to require trust accounts for certain minors’ earnings and place oversight with DLIR’s Wage Standards Division, and House Bill 159 on qualified community rehabilitation programs was passed with amendments after the committee blanked the $850,000 cap for further discussion. All recommendations were adopted without recorded opposition, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• She is. is a friend of Travis County who has served on the County Medical Society's Public Health Committee
• Members, on a personal note, in Bexar County, in San Antonio, Bexar County, my home county.
• And again, I think that's going to differ from county to county because the different counties are set
• Some of the larger counties do it that way. Right.
• Only the largest counties can regulate roadside vending.

Bills: SJR5 , SJR27 , SB4 , SB6 , SB7 , SB9 , SB13 , SB15 , SB23 , SB27 , SB30 , SB40 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB268 , SB293 , SB331 , SB413 , SB437 , SB447 , SB457 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB568 , SB571 , SB650 , SB710 , SB763 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB904 , SB905 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1494 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1540 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2217 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2337 , SB2368 , SB2373 , SB2407 , SB2431 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2753 , SB2807 , SB2900 , SB2965 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3059 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB8 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB21 , SB30 , SB37 , SB260 , SB268 , SB331 , SB379 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB509 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1566 , SB1610 , SB1637 , SB1660 , SB1833 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2155 , SB2217 , SB2308 , SB2337 , SB2601 , SB2753 , SB2778 , SB2878 , SB2900 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB145 , HB300 , HB493 , HB2011 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2525 , HB2885 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3595 , HB5138 , HB5246 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , HB748 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB3171 , HB4690 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB5694 , HB 1135 , HB3225 , HB186 , HB1449 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB4233 , HB 1094 , HB3336 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB5663 , HB2731 , HB2399 , HB 111 , HB3483 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB632 , HB4730 , HB 127 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB3385 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB20 , HB 123 , HB549 , HB5606 , HB2594 , HB 1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB20 , HB 127 , HB549 , HB 1094 , HB2594 , HB2731 , HB4233 , HB4690 , SR625 , HCR167 , SJR5 , SB4 , SB6 , SB9 , SB23 , SB40 , SB13 , SB15 , SB30 , SB268 , SB331 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1540 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2217 , SB2337 , SB2753 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB4 , HB145 , HB493 , HB2067 , HB2516 , HB2885 , HB2974 , HB3071 , HB3372 , HB3556 , HB3595 , HB5138

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, property tax, homestead exemption, school funding, state aid, electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service

Summary: The meeting centered around the discussions of several key bills, notably HB4233, which aims to align Texas's money transmission licensing and auditing requirements with federal regulations. Senator Parker led the discussion, emphasizing the need for consumer protections around cryptocurrency kiosks that have become targets for fraud, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as seniors. The meeting also saw lively debates on HB20, designed to reintegrate technical education into high schools, addressing skills shortages in the workforce. The bills were well received, with strong bipartisan support evident in the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, over the next 8 years, the average household of three to four in Hawaii would be saving around
• This relief that we promised to the people of Hawaii will help them now.
• have sequence 1040-001, new sequence transferring out three temp FTEs and $360,000 in A funds to Hawaii
• have sequence 1040-001, new sequence transferring out three temp FTEs and $360,000 in A funds to Hawaii
• New sequence trading off two temp FTEs and $78,000 in A funds to the Hawaii Health Administration.

Bills: HB389 , HB469 , HB1510 , HB1573 , HB1705 , HB1858 , HB1875 , HB1946 , HB1961 , HB1962 , HB2001 , HB2093 , HB2096 , HB2097

Transcript Highlights:

• We are convening the House Committee on Finance in Conference Room 306 at the Hawaii State Capitol, scheduled
• I'm Robin Magastadman with the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.
• Hawaii State Ethics Commission in support.
• And we have the Hawaii Firefighters Association in support on Zoom. >> Not present. >> Hi, good afternoon
• And we have the Hawaii Government Employees Association, HGEA, in support. >> Hello.

Bills: HB2240 , HB2272 , HB2273 , HB2274 , HB2275

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Rick Cheatham, representing District 28, Power County, Franklin County, and most of Bannock County
• In many ways, this reminds me of the piggyback bid process used by cities and counties to acquire vehicles
• We just don't have the same advantages that counties get in order to become self-insured.
• Representative Dygert: So, well, I have the mine coming in out in Hawaii County.
• So, well, I have the mind coming in out in Hawaii County.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of examples: in 2024, the Hawaii legislature appropriated funds to the University of Hawaii
• District Courts of Southern California and Hawaii, respectively, and they were both recently decided.
• In the case of Hawaii, they had no exception for parody or satire at all, and in that case the court

Committee: House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Summary: The Arizona House Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee met for an informational presentation from Adam Cook Hook of the National Conference of State Legislatures on recent AI policy trends across the states. He described how legislatures are creating AI-focused committees, task forces, inventories, and impact assessments, and how states are also using AI in government operations and procurement. He noted that all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and D.C. introduced AI bills in 2025, with NCSL tracking more than 1,200 measures and nearly 200 enactments across 45 states. Much of the discussion focused on deepfakes, elections, and synthetic media. Hook said 26 states have enacted laws regulating AI in political messaging, usually through disclosure requirements, while some states have prohibitions near elections. He also discussed laws addressing sexually explicit deepfakes, nonconsensual intimate images, and protections for performers’ name, image, and likeness. Members asked about the best state models for protecting AI-generated likenesses and how parody and satire affect such laws; Hook said courts have struck down some deepfake laws as overbroad, especially where they lacked parody exceptions or allowed broad private rights of action. Hook also highlighted broader AI legislation in healthcare, education, workforce training, and public-private innovation efforts, including regulatory sandboxes and state-run AI tools. He summarized comprehensive AI laws in Colorado, Utah, California, and Texas, and flagged legal issues such as privacy, copyright, bias, liability, and transparency. Committee members asked about the growth of AI policy, the role of NCSL, and practical uses of AI in government; Hook said interest has grown rapidly since public release of tools like ChatGPT and that NCSL is still adapting its internal AI work. No bills were heard or voted on, and the meeting ended with the chair thanking the presenter and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I don't think Hawaii is ready.
• Um I don't think Hawaii<00:04:53.040><c> is</c><00:04:53.280><c> ready.
• 53.919><c> We</c><00:04:54.160><c> have</c><00:04:54.320><c> other</c><00:04:54.639><c> things</c> Hawaii
• We have other things Hawaii is ready.

Summary: The Senate opened with a roll call, approval of the prior day’s journal, and receipt of several communications, including governor’s messages transmitting proposed conference drafts for collective bargaining agreements, House communications on concurrence with Senate amendments and conferee changes, and conference and standing committee reports. The chamber also took up advise-and-consent items on governor’s messages, approving the nominees on consent with no objections and confirming them. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 121, House Draft 1, after several members registered no votes and Senators Kim and Gabbard reserved their votes; the resolution passed with five no votes. Members also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 96 on consent. During the meeting, Senator Kim introduced newly confirmed members in the gallery, including Ken Kawahara for the Board of Regents and student regent Joshua from Muina. On final reading, the Senate passed SB 1296 CD1 relating to disaster recovery and SB 1318 CD1 relating to water pollution by unanimous consent. The Senate also reconsidered and agreed to House amendments to SB 1448 HD2, with Senator San Buenaventura noting the changes were technical and created a clean date; one-day notice was then given for final reading. A legislative communication extending the conference negotiation deadline for fiscal bills from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. was filed, and the chair announced the decking deadline for fiscal bills in conference was 11:30 p.m. The Senate then recessed until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, leaving the journal open until midnight for additional conference committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to invite the body upstairs in the Rotunda of the Hawaii Bicycle League.
• c><00:20:05.159><c> Rotunda</c><00:20:05.559><c> of</c><00:20:05.600><c> the</c><00:20:05.679><c> Hawaii
• </c> uh upstairs in the Rotunda of the Hawaii uh upstairs in the Rotunda of the Hawaii bicy<00:20:06.159

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a group of engaged students from Hawaii Pacific University.
• introduce a group of engaged<00:14:32.440><c> students</c><00:14:32.959><c> from</c><00:14:33.199><c> Hawaii
• </c><00:14:33.880><c> Pacific</c> engaged students from Hawaii Pacific engaged students from Hawaii Pacific

Summary: The House convened with 46 members present and five excused, then deferred reading of the journal. The chamber received Governor’s Message No. 4, which transmitted proposed changes to the fiscal biennium 2025-2027 executive budget, and the message was received and filed. The House also received a Senate communication transmitting a Senate bill that had passed third reading in the Senate; on motion by Representative Morikawa, seconded by Representative Garcia, the bill was given first reading by title on a voice vote. During introductions, Representative Morikawa recognized staff members Judy Hernandez and Robbie Allen, Representative Lamosao welcomed Kab Bukowski of IBEW 1260, and Representative Iwamoto introduced a Hawaii Pacific University student group visiting to learn about the legislative process and environmental policy. The House then considered Standing Committee Report No. 797; Representative Todd moved to adopt the report and advance the accompanying House bill as amended to second reading and third reading calendar, the motion was seconded by Representative Morikawa, and it passed by voice vote. No resolutions were up for action, and none were referred to print. Announcements highlighted an upcoming Capitol agriculture event featuring more than 70 vendors and a separate notice about House member jacket samples and ordering for 2025. The House adjourned on motion by Representative Moryker, seconded by Representative Garcia, until 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 27th.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am committed to serving all who are impacted, from North Carolina to California to Hawaii.
• I began my elected career representing the taxpayers of Montgomery County as their County Auditor, and
• I also mentioned Hawaii in my opening remarks that we do support the continued relief there.
• Like Hawaii, or for us, Haleen, that really revealed a lot of real shortcomings in the SBA's management

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• as our residents in Lake County.
• I'm Cleo Cabral, Vice President of CWA Local 9408, which is Fresno County, Tulare County, and others,
• Carrie Biggs-Adams, I live in Calaveras County.
• Tracy Ryan with the rural county representatives of California, as well as urban counties of California
• Tracy Ryan with the rural county representatives of California, as well as urban counties of California

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard AB 470 by Assembly Member McKinnor, a bill to modernize California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules for voice telephone service and create a process for carriers to transition away from obsolete copper networks in favor of advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The author and supporters said the bill is aimed at preserving reliable voice and 911 access while encouraging private investment in fiber and other modern networks, and emphasized that it is not a broadband bill. Support came from AT&T, business groups, and a former Cal OES director, who argued the bill provides a careful, phased modernization with CPUC oversight and increased public-safety investment requirements. Opposition came from TURN, CWA District 9, digital equity organizations, labor groups, and several local governments and county representatives. Critics raised concerns about the adequacy of the mapping process, reliance on broadband and wireless coverage data, the lack of on-the-ground verification, the challenge process, possible loss of Lifeline protections, and the impact on workers and union jobs. They also argued the bill could allow carriers to reduce universal-service obligations without enough safeguards for rural and vulnerable customers. Committee members discussed those concerns at length, especially the map-making process, the challenge procedure, and whether the bill sufficiently protects workers and customers who could be left behind. The author said the bill includes a 10-year backstop if service is lost, a CPUC-led process, and a three-to-one fiber buildout requirement tied to relinquishment, and expressed willingness to continue working with labor on workforce language. The committee ultimately passed AB 470 on a 7-0 due pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we'll hear from Ryan Mello, who is the county executive at Pierce County, to get an idea what's
• I serve as the county executive in Pierce County and am so grateful for you inviting us.
• You know that Pierce County is the second most populous county in Washington State, and just a little
• other counties.
• So we hosted about 12, a cohort of 12 different counties across the country to come to Pierce County.

Bills: SB6062

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:04:26.960><c> the</c><00:04:27.080><c> going</c><00:04:27.280><c> home</c><00:04:27.520><c> Hawaii
• </c> tours we went to the going home Hawaii tours we went to the going home Hawaii re-entry<00:04:28.440
• </c><00:05:13.360><c> Island</c> resilience Summit and the Hawaii Island resilience Summit and the Hawaii
• </c><00:14:58.480><c> Community</c> yeah HC is the Hawaii Community yeah HC is the Hawaii Community Correctional
• it's really that that constant Hawaii it's really that that constant Battle<00:32:03.240><c> of</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a longtime resident and community activist in Kern County.
• Hello, Celinda Vasquez, also a parent from Los Angeles County.
• Christina Salazar with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.
• Lucy Salcedo Carter with the Alameda County...
• McLean Rosanski with the Alameda County Office of Education, in support.

Committee: House Education