Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2269, Bridgewater Town Charter, Article 4, Town Manager, temporary absence, local approval
• An act, Bridgewater Town Charter, Article 4, Town Manager, temporary absence, House Bill 2269.
• Bridgewater Town Charter 4, town manager, temporary absence.
• This is real money made available for more needs in the absence of our federal partners.
• This real money, made available for more needs in the absence of our federal partners.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and first took up a Rules Committee report recommending adoption of a resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Bedford. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolution. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then reported a series of local bills for consideration, including measures on legal notices, charter changes for Chicopee, Bridgewater, Wellesley, Weston, Somerville, and Watertown, as well as bills on firefighter residency, a checkout bag fee in Sudbury, senior tax exemption eligibility in Williamstown, and liquor licenses in Lexington. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House also considered a Ways and Means report on H. 4257, financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. The committee recommended an amendment in the form of a substitute bill, H. 4307, authorizing $1.185 billion in general obligation bonds. After suspension of the rules, the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, during floor debate on H. 4307, members spoke in support of the bill as a major transportation funding package, emphasizing Chapter 90 aid, road mileage-based distribution, culvert and small bridge repairs, congestion relief projects, and the bill’s fiscal and credit-rating benefits. A roll call was ordered, and the bill passed to be engrossed 156-0. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill validating the results of a special election in Hardwick. In addition, the House adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and agreed to adjourn in memory of former Representative and Senator Matthew C. Patrick of Falmouth. The session included several guest introductions, including Mandela Fellows studying at Bridgewater State University, former legislator Vincent Dimacido, Bellingham Council on Aging guests, and interns in Representative Linsky’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• Noting the absence of Representative Kush, Representative Quinlan? Aye.
• And also noting the excused absence of Representative Ward.
• <01:10:25.199> of<01:10:25.400> of I uh noting the absence of of I uh noting the absence
• <01:10:31.920> the hi and also noting the absence the hi and also noting the absence the excused
• excused absence of uh representative excused absence of uh representative Ward<01:10:34.960>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as far as the 15-day drop, how absences as far as the 15-day drop, how absences are<00:13:06.240
• Um, and there's one piece that we tweaked around unexcused absences for the 15-day drop.
• Um, and there's one piece that we tweaked around unexcused absences for the 15-day drop.
• Um, and there's one piece that we tweaked around unexcused absences for the 15-day drop.
• Um, and there's one piece that we tweaked around unexcused absences for the 15-day drop.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives relating to quorum and attendance to remove seniority from certain members due to multiple absences
• attendance to remove seniority, office assignments, parking spaces, or desks from certain members due to absence
• to quorum and attendance to withhold disbursement of members' operating budget due to significant absences
• to quorum and attendance to withhold disbursement of members' operating budget due to significant absences

Bills: HB17, HB16, SB10, HB27, HB23, SB15, SB18

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support

Summary: The House convened, received a message from the Senate, and the chair announced the signing of HB 4 in the presence of the House. The clerk then read a large number of first-reading measures and referred them to committees. Among the notable bills, SB 1 by Senator Perry on campground and youth camp safety was referred to the Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. Several House resolutions dealing with House rules, quorum, attendance, and penalties for members who missed sessions or broke quorum were referred to the Committee on House Administration, including HR 5, HR 17, HR 18, HR 34, HR 41, and HR 58. The House also referred a broad slate of resolutions to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, including measures by Riddell, Craddick, Toth, Leo Wilson, Schofield, Gehan, Bella Montgomery, Hinojosa, Schoolcraft, Little, Meyer, Luhan, Orr, Johnson, Harris Davila, Lopez, Cameron, Gonzalez of El Paso, Wharton, Flores, Dyson, and Harless. These referrals covered many individual House resolutions and concurrent resolutions, but no debate or votes were recorded in the transcript. At the end of the proceedings, the House recessed until noon pursuant to a previously adopted motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:06:25.119> of noting the excused absence of noting the excused absence of Representative
• <02:09:35.159> of voting I noting the absence of voting I noting the absence of Representative
• <02:11:48.840> of chair voting I noting the absence of chair voting I noting the absence of
• voting I um and also noting the absence voting I um and also noting the absence of<02:12:15.679>
• Thank you, and we're adjourned. uh noting the absence of Representative uh noting the absence of Representative

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:

• Recommendation to pass with amendments, noting the excused absence of Rep.
• Not the excuse absence of repres. Are there any reservations?
• Not the excuse absence of Excuse absent.
• Absence<02:13:47.599> of<02:13:47.760> repodo.
• Absence of repodo. Any reservations? Absence of repodo. Any reservations?

Bills: HB1527, HB1823, HB2490, HB2223, HB2325, HB2104, HB2593, HB2592, HB1927, HB1553, HB1964, HB1918, HB1990

Keywords: gambling prohibition, Aloha Stadium, University of Hawaii, amateur athletics, state lands, coastal resilience, Maui, Mantokuji Bay, coastal erosion, environmental protection, Native Hawaiian, spiritual sites, historic preservation, economic development, burial sites, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, cultural history, archaeology, Hawaii Revised Statutes, civil service

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1527 relating to gambling. The chair outlined hearing rules, including a two-minute limit and a warning that bills not heard would die. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from a prosecutor, Honolulu Police Department, and Stop Predatory Gambling, all arguing that casinos and sports betting increase crime, sex trafficking, harassment of athletes, and broader social harm. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee moved on without questions or action taken on the bill. The committee then heard HB 1823 relating to coastal zone management and HB 2490 relating to coastal resilience. For HB 1823, DLNR, the Office of Planning, and Maui County testified, with Maui County supporting the measure and its proposed amendments. For HB 2490, DLNR expressed concern about exempting a proposed Mokuji Bay pilot project from permits and regulation before a long-term plan is finalized, while the County of Maui, the Mokuji Soto Zen Mission, and the Office of Planning supported the bill as a coastal resilience pilot. The mission described severe erosion, sea-level rise impacts, and years of unsuccessful efforts to stabilize the shoreline; its consultant said the study is leaning toward nature-based and hybrid solutions. In questioning, members and DLNR discussed whether the bill should say the project “shall” or “may” be exempt, and the chair indicated the language would be adjusted to preserve DLNR discretion and to change the lead agency reference to OPSD. No vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee took up HB 2223 relating to historic preservation reviews. SHPD said it stood on its written comments, while OPSD and DHHL supported the bill. DHHL argued the measure would streamline reviews, improve transparency, and help address long wait times for its projects, saying it could alleviate burden on SHPD and better serve beneficiaries. Representative Shimizu questioned whether the bill would create redundancy and expand government rather than strengthen SHPD, noting a separate staffing bill already exists. SHPD responded that DHHL is uniquely subject to 6E review and that the bill would not waive federal or state historic review requirements; the discussion also touched on possible federal-style grant support and the existing memorandum of agreement between SHPD and DHHL. The transcript ends during questioning, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Courage is not proceeding with the absence of fear.
• Courage is not proceeding with the absence of fear. It is going forward in spite of fear.
• Courage is not proceeding with the absence of fear.
• Courage is not proceeding with the absence of fear.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The recommendation is to pass this as is, noting the excused absences of Reps.
• as is noting the excused absences of as is noting the excused absences of reps<01:14:32.640> Capella
• <01:16:39.920> Capella, is the excused absences of Rep.
• Capella, is the excused absences of Rep.
• Noting the excused absences pass as is.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Education and Higher Education first heard HCR 75 and HR 67, which ask the Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi to assess criteria for building an educational pipeline and curriculum for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. The Department of Education said it would stand on its written testimony, and UH supported the measure, noting existing community college and four-year programs related to the topic. Members asked how DOE promotes cybersecurity opportunities and whether it provides funding; DOE said schools usually connect with partners and its office works with them, but it does not have separate funding for such efforts. UH also explained that some advanced manufacturing concepts may overlap with 3D printing, material sciences, and entrepreneurship, and described P20 as a forum for aligning K-12 and higher education pathways. The committees then recessed the joint hearing and moved to the Education Committee agenda. The committee next heard HCR 46 and HR 39, which would make DOE recreational facilities available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. DOE said it already uses facilities agreements with insurance, liability waivers, indemnification, and certificates of insurance to protect schools. The Attorney General opposed the resolutions, warning that unrestricted public use without safeguards could create substantial liability and cost risks for the state. The measure’s introducer said the goal was to help underserved communities that lack access to public recreation spaces, and DOE said it would be open to joint-use arrangements with larger organizations but remained concerned about vandalism and liability. The committee also heard HCR 86 and HR 80 on creating an Aloha Civics working group, with DOE offering comments and Common Cause Hawaiʻi strongly supporting the idea. DOE described a civic learning and engagement task force that met with stakeholders, including UH and the PACE Commission, and produced recommendations such as building partnership inventories, integrating civic learning across grade levels, and aligning the work with DOE’s HA framework and learner outcomes. Common Cause said civic education can be implemented effectively and affordably, citing existing school projects such as ranked-choice voting and classroom constitutions. Later, the committee took up HCR 87 and HR 81, urging an annual Climate Week in public schools. DOE again stood on written comments, while the Climate Change and Health Working Group, Climate Future Forum, a student from Kaimuki High School, and other supporters argued that a dedicated week would ensure consistent climate education, build resilience, and connect climate issues to health, food security, and disaster preparedness. Supporters said existing climate-related opportunities are uneven across schools and that a formal Climate Week would create a more equitable approach. The committee then heard HCR 95 and HR 91 on informing students about changes to gun safety and storage laws; DOE asked for clarification on the measure’s intended outcome, and one individual testified in support. Finally, the committee heard HCR 104 and HR 100 on strengthening farm-to-school initiatives. DOE said it is already working to improve menus, emphasize local products, and meet with distributors to increase local procurement, while the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience offered food science, nutrition, and extension support. Climate Future Forum, the Hawaii Youth Food Council, and other supporters said farm-to-school efforts are important for student health, local farmers, and food sovereignty, noting that local food procurement in schools remains far below the state’s 30% by 2030 goal. DOE explained it is trying to provide distributors and farmers with more predictable demand and is meeting with distributors to set up next year’s supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• The recommendation is to pass with amendments, noting the excused absence of Senators Ihara and Fevella
• to pass with amendments<00:19:21.600> noting<00:19:22.039> excused<00:19:22.480> absence
• <00:19:22.919> of amendments noting excused absence of amendments noting excused absence of
• The recommendation is to pass with amendments, noting the excused absence of Senators Ihara and Fevella
• <00:20:22.520> of amendments noting the excused absence of amendments noting the excused absence

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. SB 338, relating to taxation, would temporarily reinstate the Act 221 technology infrastructure renovation tax credit and expand eligible technology-enabled infrastructure to include data servers; Tax Department said it had no requested changes, SurfPAC supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation offered comments. Members later advanced SB 338 with amendments, including a report to the Legislature before the 2029 session and technical changes. SB 1491, on departmental data sharing, would add the Department of Taxation to the state longitudinal data system to share aggregated wage data; UH, Hawaii P20, and the Tax Foundation supported it, and Taxation said it could comply as written. The committee amended the bill to also include DBEDT and then passed it with amendments. The committee also considered SB 1156 on sexually explicit deepfakes, SB 853 on an immigration services trust fund, SB 436 on limiting State Fire Marshal service to three terms, and SB 1034 on rest periods in the food service industry. The Attorney General said SB 1156 was unnecessary because existing law already covers AI-created deepfakes, and the committee deferred the bill. SB 853 drew support from DLIR/Office of Community Services and civil rights advocates, but opposition testimony noted substantial public opposition; the committee deferred the measure, saying existing resources from Act 7 made the trust fund premature. SB 436 drew concerns from the State Fire Council representative that term limits would add complications, but the committee passed it with amendments. SB 1034 drew mixed testimony: DLIR stood on comments, the restaurant association supported the intent but suggested changing the five-hour threshold, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association opposed it over the lack of a definition of food service industry; the committee amended the bill to add that definition and passed it with amendments. At the later 3:15 p.m. decision-making-only agenda, the committee deferred SB 730 indefinitely after conferring with the PSM chair, saying it was special legislation needing further work in the interim.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Representative Woodson excuse absence of Representative Woodson um<01:48:45.159> any<01:48
• of Representative Woodson anyone absence of Representative Woodson anyone voting<01:51:18.320> no
• :56:05.239> Representative<01:56:05.840> Woodson<01:56:06.800> anyone absence of
• Representative Woodson anyone absence of Representative Woodson anyone voting<01:56:07.679> no
• <02:00:24.639> of noting the excuse absence of noting the excuse absence of Representative

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture, water, invasive species, and land-use bills. HB 299 and HB 1220, both relating to invasive species, drew broad support from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, C-GAPS, Sierra Club, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and others. Testifiers said HISC funding fills gaps between agency mandates, supports research and technology, and helps respond to both terrestrial and marine invasive threats. On HB 1220, C-GAPS described a marine anemone infestation in Kāneʻohe linked to aquarium release and said control and restoration would be difficult without the bill’s funding. A committee member asked for tracking information on the species, and the Division of Aquatic Resources said it maintains monitoring data and annual reports. No opposition was noted on either measure. HB 506, relating to conservation enforcement, also received support from DLNR and Malama Pu‘u Ma. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s scope and how the funding would be used. Members asked about a prior boat purchase mentioned in opposition testimony and about whether mainland vendors were being used; the department said it did not buy that boat and that procurement follows the normal state process, with total bid price including delivery, taxes, and other fees. The department explained that the bill’s funding is primarily for marine enforcement work in nearshore fisheries, including herbivore protection around O‘ahu. HB 915, relating to water use, had mixed testimony. DLNR supported alternative water sources and amendments to the water code, while the Department of Agriculture opposed the bill as drafted, saying its irrigation program is designed for non-potable agricultural use and is not structured for residential or mixed-use development. The Department of Health said it needed more information on its reuse guidelines and noted concern about removing the recycled water manager requirement, which it said helps ensure safe operation and maintenance of reuse systems. Members questioned the bill’s preemption language and whether county or state rules would be displaced, and Agriculture suggested county water agencies might be better suited for some of the proposed uses. HB 502, concerning land use, drew support from the Attorney General’s office, the Land Use Commission, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union, with the Department of Agriculture standing on its written testimony. The Attorney General warned that allowing important agricultural lands to be redistricted through a declaratory ruling process could conflict with the state constitution and recommended excluding IAL from the bill. The Land Use Commission said it has an inventory of IAL lands and did not believe the bill would affect them, and it agreed to the suggested protection. Supporters said the bill could help move lands with limited agricultural value into the rural district, reduce pressure on productive farmland, and better align land use with actual farming potential. HB 929, relating to the agricultural land conveyance tax, received comments from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Realtors; Farm Bureau said it supports preserving agricultural land but was concerned about unintended consequences and questioned whether speculative flipping of ag land is a current problem.

Transcript Highlights:

• I need to excuse absences. amendments. I need to excuse absences.
• I need to excuse absences. amendments. I need to excuse absences.
• I need to excuse absences. amendments. I need to excuse absences.
• amendments, noting the excused absences. amendments, noting the excused absences.
• The recommendation is to pass as is, noting the excused absences.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 78, which urges the Department of Education to strengthen natural health education and adopt a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. The Department of Education said it supported the intent and had offered technical amendments to scaffold the curriculum by grade level. The Commission on the Status of Women and several advocates, including students and Ma'i Movement Hawaiʻi, testified in support, describing gaps in menstrual health education, stigma, and the need for more inclusive, age-appropriate instruction. No opposition was heard, and the chair moved on after no questions from members. The committee then took up SCR 194, urging the Department of Education to meet the criteria to recognize cheerleading as a Title IX sport. The Department supported the measure, noting recent expansion of girls flag football and surfing as recognized sports and saying cheerleading would create additional opportunities for students. The Commission on the Status of Women also supported the resolution, saying it could improve participation, resource allocation, and representation for female students. No opposition or further action was recorded in the excerpt. Finally, the committee discussed SCR 195, requesting the Board of Education and Department of Education to revise graduation requirements to include a standalone financial literacy course. The Board of Education and Department of Education both supported the intent but cautioned against a one-size-fits-all mandate, emphasizing school-level flexibility, existing stand-alone and online options, and the requirement that the class of 2030 must complete financial literacy before graduation. Hawaii Kids Can supported the resolution while raising questions about equity, access, quality, and how different delivery models compare; it also asked for more information on community survey data. Committee members questioned the department and board about asynchronous versus in-person instruction, standards, and how the requirement would be tracked in the personal transition plan. No vote or final action was taken in the provided portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , leave of absences, uh vacancies, seasonal gaps such as a flu shortage that creates these gaps.
• , leave of absences, uh vacancies, seasonal gaps such as a flu shortage that creates these gaps.
• , leave of absences, uh vacancies, seasonal gaps such as a flu shortage that creates these gaps.
• , leave of absences, uh vacancies, seasonal gaps such as a flu shortage that creates these gaps.
• of absences, uh vacancies, seasonal gaps such as a flu shortage that creates these gaps.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1925, which would have Minnesota join the nurse licensure compact. Rep. Schumacher described the bill as a way to improve workforce flexibility, telehealth, care coordination, and border-community access, while maintaining safeguards such as the same licensure exam and federal background checks. He also said the compact could help retain Minnesota-trained nurses who currently leave for neighboring compact states. Several members questioned whether the compact would weaken Minnesota’s standards or actually solve staffing problems, and some raised concerns about outside states’ differing practice rules and continuing education requirements. Supporters, including a nurse leader, a travel nurse, a business group representative, and a hospital nursing leader, testified that the compact would ease staffing shortages, speed hiring, support telehealth, and reduce administrative burdens. Opponents, including nurses and union representatives, argued it could lower standards, not address root causes like unsafe staffing and turnover, and could create risks for patients seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care. The committee also considered two related amendments tied to rural health transformation recommendations. The A1 amendment would have required two hours of continuing education on nutrition for physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses; members criticized it as government overreach, unrelated to many specialties, and an attempt to chase uncertain federal funding. The amendment failed on a voice vote. The A2 amendment would have reinstated the presidential fitness test in schools and allowed parents to opt out; it also failed. A3, which updated the compact bill’s effective date language from 2025 to 2026, was adopted. Members noted the bill also contained an appropriation and might need referral to other committees if it advanced. The committee then began hearing public testimony on HF 1925, with witnesses split between support and opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, there is a tradition to excuse every member who requests an excused absence because of important
• To your knowledge, has the Senate ever refused to excuse a request for an excused absence?
• Absence five-ninths of the members present in voting.
• But may a member who requests an excused absence and does not get one still submit a journal statement
• President, is what is the effect of having an excused absence versus a regular absence?

Bills: SB15, SB9, SB7, SB1, SB2, SB67, SB15, SB9, SB7

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap

Transcript Highlights:

• The recommendation is to pass with amendments, noting the excused absence of Representative Souza.
• The recommendation is to pass unamended, noting the excused absence of Representative Souza.
• amendments, noting the excused absence amendments, noting the excused absence of<00:39:28.079>
• to pass un amended noting<00:40:11.200> the<00:40:11.359> excused<00:40:11.760> absence
• <00:40:12.079> of noting the excused absence of noting the excused absence of Representative

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard three resolutions. STR 53 SD1 sought to have the Legislative Reference Bureau work with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunications access so residents can participate in the legislative process. Testimony from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure, emphasizing that many advocates cannot always travel to the Capitol and need better access. STR 117 SD1 urged the Department of Education to work with the Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and the County of Hawaii to inventory bus stops on Hawaii Island used by students and develop safety improvements; DOE described an upcoming live route audit, noted the large number of routes and stops on the Big Island, and said some stops are on private roads. The Department of Transportation, Hawaii County Council, the mayor’s office, and others supported the measure, and members discussed whether the effort could eventually expand statewide. STR 134 asked the Department of Education to provide a detailed report on the true cost of producing school meals to improve transparency and avoid unnecessary price increases. DOE said it already tracks food, labor, benefits, supplies, equipment, and other costs to calculate per-meal costs, but does not currently include transportation costs in the same way; it stated its breakfast cost was $5.80 and lunch cost was $8.66. Support testimony came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the Hawaii Hunger Action Network, and others, who said clearer cost information is especially important amid funding uncertainty. In decision making, the committee amended and passed STR 53 SD1, reverting it to the original draft by replacing the Legislative Reference Bureau with the Controller and adding coordination with the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office, while removing references tied to the LRB and the public access room outreach clause. The committee also amended and passed STR 117 SD1, shifting the lead role to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and adding a request for the County of Hawaii to consider funding the effort. STR 134 was passed unamended. Representative Souza was excused for the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The recommendations of the vice chair is to pass S.R. 204 unamended, with the excused absences of Representative
• is to pass S.R. 84 unamended, with the excused chair and vice chair vote aye, and with the excused absence
• 54.320> excused vice chair vote I and with the excused vice chair vote I and with the excused absence
• <00:25:55.440> of<00:25:55.840> representative<00:25:56.320> Cochran, absence of
• representative Cochran, absence of representative Cochran, Representative<00:25:57.520> Hasham

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on April 15, 2025, and heard several Senate resolutions. For S.R. 128, S.D. 1, which asks the Attorney General to provide a list of state lands leased to the United States or federal agencies, Deputy Attorney General Miranda Steed said the Attorney General had concerns with the resolution as drafted because it also seeks legal opinions on the legality of current and potential lease renewals. She noted the issue is important, especially with military leases expiring in 2029, but said the request was too broad and suggested legislators bring specific questions to the Attorney General after session instead of through a resolution. Committee members discussed the request, including concerns about language referencing the current administration, but ultimately recommended passage as is, with one member noting support with reservations. The motion to pass S.R. 128, S.D. 1 unamended was adopted. The committee then considered S.R. 204, requesting the Department of Law Enforcement to provide information on the disposal, detonation, and destruction of explosives, fireworks, and similar hazardous materials. There was no in-person testimony and no one on Zoom to testify, though one written testimony with comments had been received. The committee recommended passage of S.R. 204 as is, and the recommendation was adopted without opposition. Finally, the committee took up S.R. 184, requesting county police departments to increase enforcement against out-of-state vehicles operating on public roads without proper county registration. Again, there was no live testimony, only one written submission with comments. The vice chair recommended passage as is, noting a similar House resolution had not been scheduled on the other side. The committee adopted the recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the vote on SB 170 SD2 HD1, the recommendation is to pass with amendments, noting the excused absence
• for the vote on SB 170 SD2 HD1, the recommendation is to pass with amendments, noting the excused absence
• 27.120> excuse pass with amendments noting the excuse pass with amendments noting the excuse absence
• <00:27:28.840> Representative<00:27:30.000> Cochran<00:27:31.000> Kagawa absence
• of Representative Cochran Kagawa absence of Representative Cochran Kagawa and<00:27:32.279> peric

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee met on March 19 for a brief public hearing on two bills. SB 79 SD1, relating to historic preservation reviews, drew support from HHFDC, DLNR/SHIPY, and NAOP Hawaiʻi, with NAOP recommending a technical amendment to ensure applications submitted to the department are complete and accurate. No opposition or questions were raised during the hearing. The committee also heard SB 170 SD2 HD1, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. Testimony was generally supportive, including from HHFDC, Hal Māhu, Pacific Commercial Realty, KCOM Corporation, the Green Party of Hawaiʻi, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, and several individuals, with one person testifying in opposition. Supporters emphasized the need to speed affordable housing redevelopment, especially for Lahaina fire victims, displaced residents, workers, and people experiencing homelessness. A KCOM representative described proposed technical amendments to avoid special-law concerns and to clarify that a permit in process with the county should be sufficient if an emergency proclamation expires before completion. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 79 SD1 with amendments and to pass SB 170 SD2 HD1 with substantial amendments. For SB 170, the chair described amendments to incorporate Pacific Commercial Realty’s proposed changes, clarify application-completeness requirements, exclude shoreline- and erosion-impacted parcels, remove references to flooding and tsunami, clarify an exemption from HRS 343 for certain permanently affordable multifamily projects in the SMA on historic properties, and move the bill’s provisions into statute. Representatives Cochran, Kagawa, and Peric were excused on the vote. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Voting on SB 152, the chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments, noting the excused absence of
• 00:02:23.040> noting<00:02:23.400> the<00:02:23.560> excuse<00:02:24.080> absence
• <00:02:24.599> of amendments noting the excuse absence of amendments noting the excuse absence

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs met for a decision-making-only agenda with no public testimony. The chair noted the meeting was being streamed live and that public testimony could be reviewed on the status page if needed. The committee first considered SB 834, and the chair recommended deferring the measure because of the complexity of the issues and concerns for both sellers and buyers. No vote was taken because the measure was deferred. The committee then took up SB 759, for which the chair recommended passage without amendment. The motion was adopted on a vote of the chair, vice chair, and Senator Ehar in favor, Senator De Court opposed, and Senator K excused. Finally, the committee considered SB 152, and the chair recommended passage with technical amendments. With no objections or reservations raised, the recommendation was adopted; Senator Ihar was noted as excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Maimoto votes aye, noting the absence of Representative H. going to fill in the dates
• hi representative maimoto hi noting Todd hi representative maimoto hi noting the<00:16:58.079> absence
• of<00:16:58.560> repres<00:16:58.880> representative<00:16:59.399> H the absence
• of repres representative H the absence of repres representative H chair<00:17:00.319> your<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in that absence of action, we've seen states step up.
• And so I'm part of many, many state legislators across the country who are acting in the absence of federal
• And in that absence of lack of action.
• And in that absence of action,<00:01:09.520> we've<00:01:09.760> seen<00:01:10.000>
• <00:01:16.240> of<00:01:16.400> federal acting um in the absence of federal acting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Erin Maye Quade discussed her package of bipartisan AI-regulation bills, saying consumer-facing AI is largely unregulated and has already caused harm to children, adults, the environment, consumer prices, and privacy. She argued the federal government has not acted, so states are stepping in, and said the issue is drawing support across party lines because the harms are affecting red, purple, and blue states alike. She described a bill aimed at AI chatbots and children, citing reports of self-harm, suicide, disordered eating, harmful behavior, and other unsafe interactions. She said chatbots are designed to maximize engagement, avoid friction, and keep conversations going, which can be especially dangerous for developing brains and can lead to explicit or boundary-pushing content without human oversight. Maye Quade also outlined bills to bar health insurers from using AI in review, evaluation, determination, or appeals processes, saying insurers already deny claims too aggressively and AI speeds up denials. Another bill would prohibit AI-driven surveillance pricing, which she said allows companies to use personal data to charge different customers different prices for the same product. A final bill would require notice when people are interacting with AI and provide access to a human, which she said is important for both routine customer service and high-stakes situations like medical appointments. She acknowledged possible court challenges but said coordinated state action could effectively create a national framework if Congress continues to do nothing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
• Unfortunately, the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
• Unfortunately, the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Heintzeman presented House File 4508, which would allow the importation of elk from other states into Minnesota to help address challenges facing the state’s elk breeding industry and improve herd genetics. The Minnesota Elk Breeders Association supported the bill, arguing that recent CWD-related import restrictions have effectively cut off access to outside breeding stock, hurt breeder numbers, and limited options for maintaining healthy, profitable herds. The group said elk are relatively resistant to CWD and that importation could be allowed under Board of Animal Health oversight. The Minnesota DNR opposed the bill, saying there is no validated live test for CWD that can ensure incoming animals are disease-free and pointing to recent cases in other states where imported elk later tested positive. The DNR also said federal herd certification programs have not prevented spread of the disease and warned that responding to a new captive cervid detection can cost more than $500,000. Members then discussed broader issues around CWD testing, including frustration that a live test developed at the University of Minnesota has not been federally validated and whether Minnesota should pursue state or third-party validation. Representative Heintzeman said the bill was intended to start a broader conversation and noted that the current proposal does not address the testing issue directly. After testimony and discussion, no vote was taken and House File 4508 was laid over.