Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:15:08.639><c> is</c> in California though as you said p is in California though as you said p
• Um, p... Hi, good morning. So, you know, kind of want your guys' take on this.
• > Reserve that's what I find frustrating Reserve that's what I find frustrating is<00:56:50.440><c> p<
• always says oh it's just a few is p always says oh it's just a few cents<00:56:52.559><c> it's</c><00
• /c> today I'm Gerald Montano I'm a p today I'm Gerald Montano I'm a p Community<01:49:34.960><c> Pediatrician

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted. The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like you're trying to rob Peter to pay Paul. So please answer the LAO's question. Shell game.
• It's like you're trying to rob Peter to pay Paul.
• For P&S expenditures, we have a...
• For P&S expenditures, for 2025–26, we have a decrease of 5.6% from the Governor's Budget, and for 2026

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like you're trying to rob Peter to pay Paul. So please answer the LAO's question. Shell game.
• It's like you're trying to rob Peter to pay Paul.
• For P&S expenditures, for 2025-26, we have a decrease of 5.6% from the Governor's budget, and for 2026
• For P&S expenditures, for 2025-26, we have a decrease of 5.6% from the Governor's budget, and for 2026

Summary: The committee first heard May Revision child care and human services items. The Department of Child Support Services described two technical adjustments, which the analyst supported. The Department of Social Services then walked through child care proposals, including a reduction in federal and Proposition 64 funding absorbed through a shift from General Child Care to the Alternative Payment program, a 2.01% child care COLA, disaster-related infrastructure grants, a new administrative support cost structure for Alternative Payment agencies, the removal of prospective pay funding after a federal rule change, a reappropriation for existing infrastructure grants, and estimates of unspent child care funds. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended asking for more justification for shifting reductions to CAP, supported the COLA reduction but wanted consistency across programs, recommended removing prospective pay funding, opposed the administrative cost shift, and suggested further review of disaster grant alignment. Members pressed the administration on why more slots would be cut for the same savings, why the COLA was reduced, and whether the administrative percentage would grow over time. The administration said the changes were intended to avoid disrupting currently enrolled families, reflect point-in-time relinquishments and unspent funds, and stabilize contractor operations. Public commenters, including providers, advocates, and county representatives, urged full COLA funding, rejection of child care slot reductions, preservation of prospective pay, and continued investment in child care infrastructure and access. The subcommittee then recessed before moving to health items. In Part B, the Department of State Hospitals presented its May Revision proposals, including a central utility plant replacement project at Metropolitan State Hospital, funding for a continuum electronic health record system, reduced county bed billing authority to reflect phase-in of additional LPS beds, limited contract exemption authority for online clinical subscription services, reversion of prior-year unspent operating funds, and a workforce development proposal to use Behavioral Health Services Act funds instead of General Fund for training programs. The department said the EHR would modernize records and improve continuity of care, and that the contract exemption would prevent delays in essential clinical information services. No votes were taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul. Thank you.
• Patterson, Paul, Perez of El Paso, Phelan, Raymond, Schofield, Shaheen, Smithee, Smithee, Smithee.
• We know that specifically our professional athletes carry a P-1 visa.
• There are 125 foreign nationals on NBA teams that are under a P-1 visa. That's a professional visa.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and received several announcements and recognitions before moving to legislation. Members honored the UTRGV chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, educator Jessica Lopez, the late Jennifer Maddenly, Jeanette Valdez Duran and Mobile Blessings from the Heart, TAMAC’s 50th anniversary, and journalist Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement. The chamber also adopted motions allowing committees to meet, setting a local and consent calendar, and suspending posting rules for a Public Health hearing on SB 2721. The House then considered a long series of Senate and House bills on third reading, with many passing by wide margins. Measures included SB 906 on Ysleta del Sur Pueblo peace officers; SB 1229 designating Veterans Memorial Highway; SB 855 on foster care medical costs; SB 703 on massage therapy licensing and trafficking protections; SB 1025 on tax-increase ballot language; SB 1119 on water park liability; SB 1080 on provisional occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions; SB 929 on lien deadlines; SB 1355 on liquor sales credit disputes; SB 2231 on fee waivers for college applications; SB 1877 on Public Utility Commission data access; SB 1998 on pediatric preceptorships; and several House bills on topics such as bond forfeiture notice, health workforce planning, civil commitment counsel, expunction of contempt records, consumer transactions, nuisance birds, theft venue, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, military-related tuition, utility recovery mechanisms, psychedelic therapy studies, teacher retirement funding transparency, election procedures, juvenile parole eligibility, and more. Some bills drew notable debate or amendments. HB 200, creating a “second look” parole process for certain juvenile offenders after 20 years, prompted extended discussion about serious offenses and juvenile rehabilitation before passing 102-4. HB 2298 on AI-assisted cancer detection passed 85-62 after the sponsor emphasized “augmented intelligence” and physician oversight. HB 5247 on utility capital recovery saw a failed amendment to require ratepayer credits, then passed. HB 3045, a franchise tax exemption for spaceport operators, initially failed 73-74 but later passed after verification showed a 70-69 result. SB 2420, regulating app stores and mobile software distribution, was postponed for later consideration after substantial debate over age verification responsibilities. Several other measures were postponed, including SB 888, SB 552, SB 17, and SB 2420, while HB 1128 on election judges carrying concealed handguns passed 85-57 after a withdrawn point of order.

Transcript Highlights:

• Her p her her passing necessary.
• Her p her her passing her<03:23:37.200><c> passing</c><03:23:37.760><c> reminds</c><03:23:38.239><c>
• But towards the end of session, back then it was either Chris Hbert or Paul Lundine.
• </c> or Paul Lundine. or Paul Lundine.
• We're getting to the list, Paul. We're doing it.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul was deputy commissioner of education at the time under Virginia Barry.
• Paul Leather and some others at DOE and at the community college system.
• Paul was deputy commissioner of education at the time under Virginia Barry.
• </c><01:03:51.119><c> Um</c><01:03:51.680><c> p</c> uh assistive. Is that what it says?
• Um p uh assistive. Is that what it says?

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

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• Foundation of Hawaii on behalf of the P Foundation of Hawaii our<00:33:48.240><c> comments</c><00:33:
• and</c><01:12:11.400><c> add</c><01:12:11.639><c> a</c><01:12:11.800><c> Labor's</c><01:12:12.320><c> P<
• /c><01:12:12.719><c> perspective</c> a look and add a Labor's P perspective a look and add a Labor's
• P perspective when<01:12:13.440><c> it</c><01:12:13.600><c> comes</c><01:12:13.840><c> to</c><01:12:14.080

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, with most witnesses either supporting the bills or offering technical concerns and suggested amendments. On SB 338, testimony came from the Department of Taxation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and Surpac, and the bill later moved forward with amendments. On SB 558, testimony was largely in support from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, which described the measure as supporting rural jobs, food-system development, and use of off-grade agricultural products. ADC requested flexibility for neighbor-island siting and funding allocations, while the committee also discussed whether the bill’s language should be made more general and whether it could raise constitutional concerns about overly specific site designations. The bill was advanced with amendments and a noted appropriation allocation of $350,000. The committee also heard SB 186, which drew support from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, DED, ADC, AAHU RC&D, and the Hawaii Youth Food Council. Supporters said the measure would improve coordination among agencies on food systems, help address food security and the state’s 30% by 2030 farm-to-school goal, and create a more organized statewide food systems effort. SB 328 received support from the Department of Taxation and Hawaii Farm Bureau, with Farm Bureau describing it as a way to repurpose existing dairy infrastructure to revive hog production and support livestock and farm-to-school goals; the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the measure as a potentially narrow industry incentive that could unfairly benefit a specific taxpayer and said a direct appropriation would be more transparent. SB 89 was described by Hawaii Farm Bureau as a labeling measure intended to protect the integrity of a culturally relevant local product, though the group raised concerns about wording and implementation timing. Later, SB 742 received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii KidsCAN, the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative, and the State Commission on the Status of Women. Testifiers said the bill would improve cross-agency data sharing, support workforce and education planning, and create public-facing dashboards; the Commission on the Status of Women asked to be included in the working group or as an advisory member. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments and advanced SB 338, SB 558, and SB 1186. For SB 1186, the chair’s recommendation added three positions, specified committee-note funding amounts for those positions and operating funds, and revised working-group membership to have co-chairs appoint five members with relevant experience and expertise.

Transcript Highlights:

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• /c><00:20:49.440><c> an</c><00:20:49.600><c> Appropriations</c> every time they P an Appropriations every
• time they P an Appropriations article<00:20:51.720><c> that's</c><00:20:52.200><c> sort</c><00:20:52.400
• informs all the growth here is hundreds informs all the growth here is hundreds of<00:25:58.000><c> P<
• :59.360><c> that</c><00:25:59.480><c> the</c><00:25:59.600><c> 2023</c><00:26:00.320><c> and</c> of P

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It is with great sadness that I ask to adjourn in memory of Colonel Alfred P.
• Glover, a dedicated small business owner, of Colonel Alfred P.
• So thank you, members, and I ask to adjourn today in memory of Colonel Alfred P. Glover. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and handled a number of procedural motions, including suspending rules for adjournments in memory and guest introductions, rescinding prior action on SB 493, and re-referring several Senate bills to different committees. Members also recognized guests on the floor, including family members, interns, firefighters from the Corona Fire Department, and the Quartz Hill High girls’ soccer team, which was honored for its historic championship season. The main floor action was on AB 1795 by Assembly Member Gibson, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act, which would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating wildfire smoke damage and set clearer insurance claim practices. Supporters said the bill would help wildfire survivors return home safely and urged science-based standards and a rebuttable presumption that contamination after a wildfire was caused by the fire; opponents warned the bill could raise costs and should better address government failures in fire recovery. The bill passed on a 54-6 vote, including the urgency clause. Members also adopted SCR 137, proclaiming March 15 as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day, with remarks praising her role in advancing gender equality and equal rights. The resolution was adopted after 65 co-authors were added and then approved by voice vote. The consent calendar, including SJR 11, was adopted 71-0. A large portion of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory, including tributes to Larry Vane, Dr. William A. Burke, Colonel Alfred P. Glover, and Rita Semmel. The Assembly also honored departing Member James Gallagher, who gave extended farewell remarks before leaving for Congress. The house then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, June 11, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is with great sadness that I ask to adjourn in memory of Colonel Alfred P.
• Glover, a dedicated small business owner, of Colonel Alfred P.
• So thank you, members, and I ask to adjourn today in memory of Colonel Alfred P. Glover. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:07:47.680><c> relating</c><00:07:48.000><c> to</c><00:07:48.160><c> the</c><00:07:48.400><c> p<
• /c><00:07:48.800><c> pro</c> Section seven relating to the p pro Section seven relating to the p pro

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• From Martha P.
• The work of Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Marsha P.
• Johnson, and The work of Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Marsha P.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of corrected journals, and a brief recognition of guests. The body then considered four gubernatorial appointments to the Seismic Safety Commission: Deborah Garns, David Rabbit, Cindy Silva, and Vincent Wells. Senators spoke in support of the appointees, especially highlighting Garns’ leadership during the Rio Dell earthquake response and the commission experience of the others. All four confirmations were approved unanimously, with 37 ayes and 0 noes each. The Senate next adopted SR 69 designating February as Montessori Month. Senator Niello described Montessori education’s history, California ties, and current teacher shortages, while a group of Montessori educators and students from the California Montessori Project was recognized in the gallery. The Senate then took up SCR 122 honoring Black History Month and the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week. Senator Weber Pearson and many others from both parties spoke about Black history as American history, the legacy of Carter G. Woodson, ongoing civil rights and education issues, and the importance of recognizing Black contributions in public life, culture, and policy. The resolution was adopted unanimously, 37-0. The remainder of the session focused on Black History Month observances, including the California Legislative Black Caucus’s “Unsung Heroes” honorees, who were introduced and recognized for community service, arts, public safety, health care, and youth support. The Senate also heard several adjournment-in-memory tributes for San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Sergeant Grant Ward, who died after a battle with cancer, and for civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, with members recalling his advocacy, charisma, and personal impact. The Senate adjourned after announcing its next meeting for February 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally, P 24001. This is Maxwell Combined School.
• Item G, P 20 001 project for Chaparral Middle School in Alamogordo, This was an award language change
• Item H, Project P 25 003, this is for Combined School in Bloomfield.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• S&P and Moody’s were in Sacramento three weeks ago trying to talk to members about all of this.
• And that was the whole point of S&P and Moody’s coming on their own to Sacramento as concerns about the
• And that was the whole point of S&P and Moody's coming on their own to Sacramento as concerns about the

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard two bills focused on electricity affordability and utility costs. AB 745, by Assembly Member Irwin, would restructure the California Climate Credit by shifting it from lump-sum payments to direct reductions in volumetric electricity rates and moving the credit to the summer months when bills are highest. The author and UC Santa Barbara economist Dr. Kyle Meng argued this could significantly lower summer rates and better help households during extreme heat. Supporters, including UCS, NRDC, and some labor representatives, favored the concept, with some urging that the gas climate credit also be redirected. No opposition testimony was presented, and the bill passed 18-0 to the floor. The committee then considered AB 825, also presented as an affordability package aimed at reducing electric bills by addressing wildfire mitigation costs, transmission financing, permitting delays, and a review of ratepayer-funded programs. The bill would authorize securitization for undergrounding expenses, remove the first $15 billion in undergrounding capital investments from the rate base for return purposes, create a public transmission financing program using Proposition 4 funds and IBank support, revive the California Power Authority as a public sponsor, and establish a task force to review energy efficiency and demand response programs. The author and witness Matt Friedman of The Utility Reform Network said the bill could save ratepayers billions over time through lower-cost public financing and securitization. Testimony on AB 825 was mixed. Support came from several consumer and clean-energy groups, while utilities and labor raised concerns about the bill’s impact on utility financial stability, wildfire fund participation, liability, and whether the $15 billion securitization cap could discourage undergrounding. Some witnesses also objected to the task force’s potential effect on energy efficiency and demand response programs. Committee members discussed the need to balance affordability with utility creditworthiness and wildfire safety, and several asked for more analysis of market impacts and liability issues. Despite those concerns, AB 825 passed the committee 13-0 and was sent to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was being and forgive me for the expression p*** doubt.
• the difference of opinion between to medical professionals, one being a physician, one being an A R p
• If you bear with me, this is a very difficult story to share. >> I'm here in support of the S P 5, 3,

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:15:32.560><c> require</c><00:15:32.959><c> that</c><00:15:33.079><c> the</c><00:15:33.279><c> P<
• /c> care provider to require that the P care provider to require that the P petitioner<00:15:34.120><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a series of Senate bills and generally advanced most of them, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 15 on the definition of historic property was amended to narrow the definition to properties at least 50 years old that are culturally significant or otherwise significant for Hawaii Register purposes, and it passed. SB 97 on excessive speeding was amended to clarify felony penalty language, license revocation timing, and fingerprinting procedures, and passed. Other bills passed as is or unamended included SB 145 on water shortages, SB 108 on accessible parking enforcement, SB 660 on hospitality anti-harassment measures and panic buttons, SB 1662 on landlord application fees and tenant screening reports, SB 1421 on Department of Health provider arrangements, SB 1439 on DOH nuisance authority, and SB 1452 updating controlled substances law. SB 1454 on wage payment violations passed with technical amendments only, while SB 1481 on motorcycle instruction permits was deferred as not ready. Several bills received more substantial changes. SB 253 on condominium association budget summaries was amended to require a single document and to shift the standard to substantial compliance; it passed. SB 371 on critical infrastructure damage was amended to remove a section affecting manslaughter law and to apply specifically to broadband and cable networks; it passed. SB 984 on water pollution liability for large landowners was advanced with a defective date. SB 1517 on public land leases for recreational residential use was amended to change the lease term to five years and add a defective date. SB 1074 on temporary continuation of challenged activities during environmental review was significantly amended to limit the provision to currently authorized activities, add a one-year limit with possible court extension, and clarify other terms; it passed. SB 1322 on emergency mental health transport was amended to restore provider-initiated transport language, require notice and coordination, remove special immunity provisions, and clarify court-ordered treatment procedures; it passed. The committee also passed SB 1496 on disability access to information in public accommodations, with a request that the committee report discuss the Roe v. St. Pizza case and the distinction between physical and digital accommodations. SB 1255 on Uniform Information Practices Act record retention was deferred as not ready. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that both agendas were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

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• 00:05:04.759><c> the</c><00:05:04.880><c> person</c><00:05:05.160><c> who</c> free and they and the P
• the person who free and they and the P the person who grants<00:05:05.600><c> them</c><00:05:05.759><

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00 Senate Bill 126 (Sen. McDaniel): 01:21 Senate Bill 37 (Sen. Elkins): 12:23 Adjournment: 21:06, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up two bills. Senate Bill 126, sponsored by Senator McDaniel, proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the governor’s pardon power during the final 60 days before a gubernatorial election and through the transition period, with the stated goal of giving voters more time to learn about executive clemency decisions. McDaniel said the measure was intended to increase accountability and noted it would need approval by both chambers and then placement on the 2026 ballot. Senator Haron raised concerns about whether the proposal could chill pardons and asked about the timing; McDaniel responded that 60 days was chosen because of early voting and the need for public notice. The committee adopted a substitute and then passed the bill with a favorable expression; several members voted aye, Senator Haron passed, and Senator Adams later asked to be recorded as voting aye before adjournment. The committee then considered Senate Bill 37, sponsored by Senator Elkins, which would amend Kentucky law on indigent burials to allow cremation as an option instead of requiring burial, and would require consultation with the county coroner before a decision is made. Elkins described it as a local control measure and said he was working with Rabbi Litman on a possible accommodation for Jewish indigent decedents, since the Jewish community strongly prefers burial and has offered to assume costs in those cases. Questions focused on how long officials must make a bona fide effort to notify a spouse or next of kin and whether the bill would affect current practices; Elkins said it would not change existing policy on that point and suggested a possible floor amendment for additional issues. Rabbi Litman testified in support, explaining the religious importance of burial and the community’s concern about cremation. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed with a favorable expression, though Senator Herron and Senator Tichenor expressed reservations and voted no or passed, citing constituent concerns and the possibility that family members may later seek a burial place to visit.

Transcript Highlights:

• to say, I mentioned Ariel and outstanding work by EDD, but also Sandoval County, City of Rio Rancho, P&
• And what's happening is we're robbing Peter to pay Paul because our homegrown nurses, our home-educated
• And what's happening is we're robbing Peter to pay Paul because our homegrown nurses, our home-educated

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Du Bois. Du Bois, uh, assistant. We also have Mr.
• Paul Dubois, Assistant Director of technical permitting here as a resource witness from the railroad
• Uh, yes, this is Scott Sasajima, Texas 81 testifying for House P. Scott.

Bills: HB206

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: HB206, school district bonds, bond election, voter approval, Education Code, Chapter 45, Section 45.003, Section 45.0034, Texas schools, school finance, local tax election, bond referendum, school construction, capital improvements, election frequency, five-year waiting period, district bonds, public school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul just like me. Her family also fled the American war in Laos.
• Louis, Representative<02:48:42.319><c> Johnson</c><02:48:42.720><c> P.
• </c> Representative Johnson P. responded: “Thank you, Speaker.
• Paul when a child brought a gun in St.
• Paul, who died on June 9, 2008, due to gun violence.

Keywords: 1183, house