Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Fortunato said he met with one of his local cities the day before and reviewed the bill with

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB5520 , SB6016 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5988 , SB6097 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968 , SB5489 , SB5762 , SB5832 , SB5847 , SB5963 , SB5969 , SB6027 , SB6032 , SB6049 , SB6066 , SB6079 , SB6082 , SB6113 , SB6114 , SB6160 , SB6162 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6289 , SB6309 , SB6319 , SB6347 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SB5911 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB6346 , SB6262 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB6244 , SB5961

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:04.280><c> of</c> conduct a comprehensive review of conduct a comprehensive review of current
• </c> we could review. we could review.
• </c> &gt;&gt; definitely review these things. Yes. &gt;&gt; definitely review these things. Yes.
• And when council reviewed the And when council reviewed the legislation, legislation, legislation, I
• </c> uh judicial review uh judicial review and<02:48:31.880><c> appeals</c><02:48:32.920><c> of</c><02

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to add longer review times.
• </c><01:02:33.440><c> of</c><01:02:33.560><c> your</c> pre-permitting review of your pre-permitting review
• </c> It's going to add longer review times. It's going to add longer review times.
• They could review the international building codes or certainly can.
• They could review the international building codes or certainly can.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> would ask the the committee to review would ask the the committee to review its<01:43:35.119><c>
• They review the money jurisdiction.
• </c> identified during the initial review. identified during the initial review.
• by a technical review likely be done by a technical review committee<02:18:17.280><c> made</c><02:18
• Well, we'll review I get my stuff then?" Well, we'll review it<02:26:27.040><c> then.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• It just says you need to make a notation as to what type of document you reviewed in the file.
• by a day can leave limited review time to go over early voting ballots.
• Is it peer reviewed?”
• It's not peer reviewed.
• We have annual reviews, annual risk assessments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that opened up the door for women to go to school, to get a degree in architecture, engineering
• by a day can leave limited review time to go over early voting ballots.
• Is it peer reviewed?"
• Unless we peer-review those opinions, they might not be true. They might not be actually factual.
• We have annual reviews, annual risk assessments.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including tributes to former members and law enforcement. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the day’s special-order calendar. Early bills passed unanimously, including CS/HB 401 on FDLE security details for major party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, CS/HB 1063 on gubernatorial transition procedures, HB 593 on governmental agencies and personnel, CS/CS/HB 655 on confidential attorney-client meetings for local governments in pending litigation, and HB 6011 on ethics gift/honoraria reporting procedures. Each of these measures was explained by sponsors as transparency, security, or administrative process legislation, and each passed 115-116 to 0. The chamber then took up CS/HB 125, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The bill drew extensive and sharply divided debate over whether a state remembrance was appropriate for Kirk, with opponents arguing he was a polarizing political figure and that the House should focus on affordability and other constituent concerns, while supporters framed the bill as a defense of free speech and opposition to political violence. A proposed amendment to replace the designation with a George Floyd remembrance was ruled not germane. After structured debate, the bill passed 82-31. Members also considered transportation designation measures. SB 628, substituted for CS/HB 885, included multiple road and bridge namings and an amendment designating a 124-mile stretch of State Road 80 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway; the amendment and bill passed 82-26. CS/HB 33 similarly designated portions of roads as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, prompting another lengthy debate over the appropriateness of honoring political figures and the use of public roadways for such designations; it passed 82-30. The House then began debate on CS/HB 35, “Isaiah’s law,” which would add driving without a valid license to the habitual traffic offender list after repeated offenses, with sponsors citing a fatal hit-and-run and opponents questioning prosecutorial discretion and the bill’s practical effects.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB6016 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB6190 , SB5574 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5609 , SB5943 , SJM8016 , SB5907 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB5909 , SB6045 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5762 , SB6032 , SB6082 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6319 , SB6308 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB5046 , SB5387 , SB5637 , SB5647 , SB5839 , SB5888 , SB5962 , SB6018 , SB6037 , SB6047 , SB6078 , SB6130 , SB6147 , SB6256 , HB2155 , HB2304 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Bills: SB5223 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5185 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024 , SB5223 , SB6178 , SB5892 , SB5177 , SB6039 , SB5941 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB5912 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5185 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, medical debt, interest charges, consumer protection, healthcare, financial burden, mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• We had an insurance mandate review.
• We had an insurance mandate review.
• I know that in our review, I mentioned the review that we do of what we're going to cover and whatnot
• </c> for their patients and a peer- reviewed for their patients and a peer- reviewed analysis<02:18:15.399
• our criteria they that meet and review our criteria they review<02:28:32.080><c> all</c><02:28:32.279

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• 1 through six, these changes to the workers' compensation reinsurance associations process were reviewed
• And that idea, that architecture of how you transform and how you build, is how we are doing and thinking
• So you want to review that carefully.
• Um, so you want to review that me.
• Um, so you want to review that carefully.<01:35:40.639><c> Uh,</c><01:35:41.040><c> we</c><01:35:41.280

Bills: HF4862 , HF4598

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding from the state GIA will support these architectural and engineering fees and are critical to
• The project is currently in the permitting and planning review phase.
• The project is currently in the permitting and planning review phase.
• There are over 50 published peer-reviewed articles on our work.
• </c> fif over 50 published peer-reviewed fif over 50 published peer-reviewed articles<03:24:58.520><c

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:01.640><c> by</c> but have been reviewed by but have been reviewed by other<00:10:03.880><
• Building Code Review Board, which is a panel of experts.
• , and JLCAR's primary duty is to review proposed and previously adopted rules.
• Luckily, I've never had that happen to me. review and the Jael car's primary Duty review and the Jael
• They review all the calculations they've made.

Summary: The committee held an orientation for new and returning members of the House committee on agencies and administration, with introductions from members and staff. Chair Carol Maguire outlined her expectations for hearings: keep questions focused on the bill, be respectful to witnesses, and use the committee’s orientation opportunities to learn about the jail staff, retirement system, and Office of Professional Licensure. Members also discussed related assignments on other bodies, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and the Joint Committee on Employee Classification, and noted that some members already serve on those panels. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Building Code and the committee’s upcoming workload. Members explained how the state code is intended to provide a common baseline while allowing limited local options, and why municipalities must formally adopt and publish any local amendments. They reviewed several anticipated bills: a consolidation bill to gather building-code enforcement materials in one place, a bill to update the state energy code, a bill to restrict municipal adoption of building-code changes, and a bill to update the electrical code. Members also discussed how building codes apply to older homes and commercial buildings, and why code updates are important for safety and clarity. The chair said the committee had 36 bills currently scheduled, including many early bills that must move by March 6 because they will be heard by two committees. She said the committee would use subcommittees for harder bills, with three subcommittees this year: pensions, licensing, and likely state building code. She also outlined the hearing schedule, including lighter bills on February 12 and the expectation of executive sessions later in the month. No votes were taken during the orientation, but members were told that public hearings do not require a quorum and that hard copies of bills would be distributed by committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• those and with actually have to review those and with that<01:22:24.639><c> that</c><01:22:25.239><c
• </c> people right employed just to review people right employed just to review those<01:22:34.520><c>
• </c><01:23:22.000><c> that</c><01:23:22.239><c> as</c><01:23:22.400><c> well</c> need to review that
• yeah so it probably be a review yeah so it probably be a multi-year<01:23:59.960><c> contract</c><01
• Well, they're the exact same plans getting reviewed. Um, I need to talk to the microphone more.

Summary: The Committee on Finance held an informational briefing with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations on its budget, staffing, and operations. The director reviewed department leadership and reported on recruitment and retention efforts, including a 14% vacancy rate, a 10.5% workforce increase from filling 189 positions, and the Hela Imua internship program, which has placed 516 interns since inception and led to 62 permanent hires. The department also described modernization efforts, including the UI Huakai project and the Disability Compensation Division’s electronic case management system, and said the unemployment compensation trust fund exceeded $71.5 million, triggering Schedule C for calendar year 2025. The department’s main budget requests included $2.9 million for fiscal year 2026 to support maintenance and operations of the electronic case management system, plus restoration of two enforcement specialist positions. Officials said those positions are needed to address a decline in investigators from 11 to six since 2009, improve compliance, and handle Hawaii Compliance Express certificate work. Additional requests included two human resources specialists to address recruitment backlogs, two labor enforcement specialists to reduce a backlog of Chapter 104 prevailing wage and wage cases, and two positions for the Office of Community Services to expand immigrant services and access centers. The department also discussed federal funding for unemployment insurance and workforce programs, including National Dislocated Worker Grants and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, and said some funding is received in increments and may require extensions. Members asked about Kauai inspection coverage, federal funding uncertainty, the size of the special unemployment insurance fund, and whether the department could ramp up staffing during a future crisis. Officials said Kauai is currently served by inspectors from Honolulu and there are no plans to open a permanent island position because of staffing constraints. They said the department is meeting federal guidelines and is not in jeopardy, and that the special unemployment insurance fund has about $10 million, with current UI operations funded at a little over $15 million, meaning the fund may need to cover roughly $5 million if federal support declines. The director said the department would use the special fund to supplement shortfalls, but noted that federal funding cuts and the loss of ARPA support have already affected operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional insights will be documented in our after-action review and corrective action plans.
• Thomas, do y'all have previous incident after action reviews?
• But after action reviews from previous events, do y'all have?
• Action review once because I'm sure y'all are gonna do one.
• Meadows did a very extensive review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff are reviewing the closure plan for Red Hill.
• Those costs mounted to just literally come there, review, versus...
• Those costs mounted to just literally come there, review, versus...
• Those costs mounted to just literally come there, review, versus...
• </c><02:50:44.600><c> the</c> agencies and they've also reviewed the agencies and they've also reviewed

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years. For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations. Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need. HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's including planning, architectural, etc. So, that's already in there.
• She encouraged members to check the golden rod and review the individual bills and House versus Senate

Transcript Highlights:

• 34.400><c> a</c><00:35:34.520><c> couple</c> For the hospital, and that took a couple years of architectural
• They have reviews of the historic work, and we put them out with design bidding and construction, so

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• The next is architectural. In my words, what is the prettiest or fits best in that place?
• The next is architectural. In my words, what is the prettiest or fits best in that place?

Transcript Highlights:

• Taken together, these measures are intended to close loopholes in the existing sanctions architecture
• The Save Our Sequoias Act expedites environmental reviews, formalizes interagency coordination through
• reviews so critical forest<04:15:00.520><c> management</c><04:15:00.960><c> can</c><04:15:01.200><c>
• moved through the federal approval process and is now working on site selection and environmental review
• </c> environmental review. environmental review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional insights will be documented in our after-action review and our corrective action. plans.
• We've also identified some lessons learned, even in the short time before our after-action review.
• Additional insights will be documented in our after action review and corrective action. plans.
• Thomas, do y'all have previous incident after action reviews?
• We have an emergency action plan, an after-action review, and corrective action plans. interviews from

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select