Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:04.800> in<00:42:05.040> here<00:42:05.359> that<00:42:05.680> says
• to happen.<00:42:13.520> It<00:42:13.680> allows<00:42:13.920> it<00:42:14.079>
• the government<00:42:29.119> is<00:42:29.440> watching<00:42:29.760> out<00:42:
• So,<00:42:36.960> uh,<00:42:37.200> to<00:42:37.440> that<00:42:37.599>
• <00:42:39.599> Are<00:42:39.920> you<00:42:40.079> aware<00:42:40.400> of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 396, which would exempt meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared in-state for in-state sale from certain inspections. Representative Comtois explained her amendment, saying she tried to address prior concerns by limiting the number processed monthly, adding a registration and disclaimer requirement, and folding beef, swine, sheep, and goats into the bill’s framework. Members discussed whether some sections from earlier language on bison, elk, and red deer had been inadvertently struck, and Comtois said she did not intend to remove those protections and would restore them if needed. Several members raised drafting and policy concerns. Representative Miner suggested the waiver language should be a signed, notarized statement kept on file rather than filed with the Department of Agriculture, and Comtois agreed. Representative Gruber and Representative Scully discussed labeling and wording, including clarifying that the meat would not be “exempt” from federal inspection in the same way as non-amenable species, and adding language that any prosecution would be federal rather than state. There was also discussion about whether ground meat should be included for the amenable species, with Miner and Comtois indicating that excluding ground meat would reduce risk. Commissioner Sean Jasper of the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food testified strongly against the bill, saying it was a step in the wrong direction, lacked consumer protections, and could jeopardize food safety and the state’s meat processing system. He argued that the federal exemption for non-amenable species could not simply be extended to new species by state law, warned that USDA could respond by withdrawing federal inspections, and said the bill would not solve the real bottlenecks in slaughter capacity. He also said he did not believe there was a general shortage of inspectors, and that the practical issue was producers not scheduling animals year-round, which forces facilities to scale to the slow season. No vote was taken during the work session, and members continued discussing possible amendments and wording changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• . section. section.
• <01:42:31.360> This<01:42:31.600> would<01:42:31.760> just<01:42:31.920>
• > not<01:42:36.639> be<01:42:36.719> able<01:42:36.800> to<01:42:36.880><
• ><01:42:38.239> be<01:42:38.480> line<01:42:38.719> by<01:42:38.960> line
• ><01:42:47.360> or<01:42:47.440> the<01:42:47.679> the<01:42:47.840> both

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• feasibility and<00:42:03.480> to<00:42:03.720> design<00:42:04.240> flood<00:42
• through the mid<00:42:10.839> 1980s<00:42:11.839> when<00:42:12.000> that<00:42
• <00:42:16.160> annually<00:42:17.160> that<00:42:17.359> funding<00:42:17.760>
• 2<00:42:37.119> the<00:42:37.280> first<00:42:37.559> cut<00:42:37.839>
• > years<00:42:44.240> later<00:42:44.800> another<00:42:45.200> 25%<00:42

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to<01:42:02.400> approval<01:42:02.800> and<01:42:02.920> the<01:42:03.080>
• :42:18.280> we're<01:42:18.400> going<01:42:18.520> to<01:42:18.639> raise
• /c><01:42:23.239> brought<01:42:23.560> about<01:42:23.920> that<01:42:24.239>
• > Dr<01:42:32.040> Kowski<01:42:33.040> um<01:42:33.199> in<01:42:33.320>
• uh last<01:42:37.239> year<01:42:37.880> that<01:42:38.040> was<01:42:38.159>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:06.000> section<00:42:06.240> of yes because there's another section of yes
• because there's another section of law<00:42:06.640> that<00:42:06.720> needs<00:42:06.920
• > to<00:42:07.000> be<00:42:07.160> changed<00:42:07.560> as<00:42:07.720
• very<01:42:44.040> much<01:42:44.840> well<01:42:45.000> we<01:42:45.119>
• <01:42:47.760> heard<01:42:48.560> some<01:42:48.840> things<01:42:49.599>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:07.119> And<00:42:07.280> I<00:42:07.440> also<00:42:07.680> add
• <00:42:10.520> level<00:42:11.520> and<00:42:11.920> this<00:42:12.240> would
• side<00:42:46.560> of<00:42:46.720> the<00:42:46.960> river<00:42:47.680> would
• You<00:42:49.040> go<00:42:49.200> across<00:42:49.520> the<00:42:49.839> river
• <00:42:55.920> They've<00:42:56.240> all<00:42:56.480> got<00:42:56.640>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > all<00:42:06.000> just<00:42:06.160> kind<00:42:06.280> of<00:42:06.520
• :42:35.160> ecoin<00:42:35.760> section one just deals with the ecoin section one just
• deals with the ecoin section and<00:42:36.960> making<00:42:37.319> sure<00:42:37.680><
• particular section<00:42:56.839> um section um section um so<00:42:58.839> yes<00:42:59.240
• 42:14.639> carv<01:42:14.960> out<01:42:15.840> um<01:42:16.480> but<01:42

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a work session on HB 505, which would allow the sale of freeze-dried foods produced in homestead food operations. Members raised concerns about the bill’s broad language, especially the provision stating freeze-dried food would not be considered potentially hazardous. Several suggested narrowing the bill to specific products such as processed foods, berries, fruit, dairy products, ice cream, or vegetables, and requiring use of commercial freeze-drying equipment rather than dehydrators. There was also discussion of oxygen absorbers, moisture control, sanitation, and whether the issue should be handled in statute or rules. By the end of the discussion, members generally agreed the topic should be treated in a separate section of law rather than folded into the existing homestead food license, and the chair said the matter would be sent to the food safety subcommittee, with the possibility of a study committee if more time was needed. The committee then moved to HB 277, a technical correction to the animal cruelty statutes. Representative Bixby explained that current law refers to a “colt,” which applies only to male baby horses, leaving fillies unaddressed; the bill would replace “colt” with “foal” and make related wording changes so the restriction applies to any horse under 90 days old not being nursed by its dam. The New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the change was requested to clarify and modernize the statute and that the issue had been identified during work on related animal cruelty legislation. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The chair recessed the work session until 11:00 a.m. and announced that Representative Ktoa would take over the hearing on HB 277.

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:42:04.360> what<00:42:04.520> you're<00:42:04.640> saying<00:42:04.880>
• I've heard<00:42:05.880> that<00:42:06.000> in<00:42:06.080> my<00:42:06.200>
• But<00:42:07.480> I've<00:42:07.600> also<00:42:07.800> heard,<00:42:08.200>
• who<00:42:11.600> who<00:42:12.040> feel<00:42:12.280> like<00:42:12.920
• :42:24.360> too<00:42:24.480> big,<00:42:24.680> too<00:42:24.800> fast.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I'll go section by section what they changed. Section 2031 defines two terms.
• third<00:42:34.079> instance<00:42:34.400> of<00:42:34.560> amendment<00:42:34.960
• 00:42:38.960> in<00:42:39.200> section<00:42:39.599> 1<00:42:40.400> 2032A
• > amendment by striking in section 1 2032A amendment by striking in section 1 2032A in<00:42:41.680><
• c> the<00:42:41.839> last<00:42:42.000> sentence<00:42:42.319> by<00:42:42.560

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:42:22.680> we<00:42:22.880> know<00:42:23.520> that<00:42:23.720> the<
• /c><00:42:33.400> can<00:42:33.559> be<00:42:33.839> financially<00:42:34.319>
• 00:42:48.960> ADV<00:42:49.240> best<00:42:49.720> thank<00:42:49.920> you
• /c><00:42:52.400> uh<00:42:52.559> next<00:42:52.800> up<00:42:53.079> Ted
• > in<00:42:55.880> opposition<00:42:56.880> all<00:42:57.440> leomi<00:42

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures on the 1 p.m. agenda. SB 817, relating to out-of-state offices, drew support from DBEDT and several community groups, with questions focused on the requested funding, staffing level, whether the office would expand broadly, and whether the Philippines was being singled out. SB 1578, relating to international affairs, received support from DBEDT and the Attorney General, with the chair noting the bill was intended to help DBEDT analyze Hawaii’s international partnerships and plan next steps. SB 1639, establishing Hawaii Beach Day, had limited testimony and was moved along without substantive debate. SB 582, relating to DBEDT, was also heard with support from state agencies and a few individuals, and was described as a vehicle for organizational and funding changes affecting the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, including moving some positions and programming to general funds and narrowing the works-of-art special fund's uses. The committees then took up recommendations. All three measures were advanced with amendments: SB 817 was amended to include technical changes and a defective effective date of July 1, 2025; SB 1578 was amended to address the Attorney General’s concerns, make the commission subject to Senate confirmation, and add technical changes and a defective date; and SB 582 was amended to incorporate provisions from SB 1577, clarify SFCA authority over performing arts, shift SFCA positions and programming to general funds, restrict the works-of-art special fund, and add a defective date. Each committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendations, with no reservations or no votes noted in the Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee and only Senator Dela Cruz voting no on SB 817 there; in the Economic Development and Tourism committee, SB 817 passed with Senator Kim in reservation and Senator Awa voting no, while SB 1578 and SB 582 passed with Senator Awa voting no. The later 10:00 a.m. agenda hearing focused on SB 1589, relating to the stadium development special fund, and SB 1629, relating to taxation. On SB 1589, the Attorney General asked for clarification of section 3, particularly the proviso about remaining monies lapsing to the general fund if the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District is terminated before completion; the interim stadium manager explained the bill would allow spending of $49.5 million already in the special fund for consultant, construction management, quality assurance, and contingency costs. On SB 1629, testimony was sharply divided: supporters, including film industry and business representatives, said the measure would support local film production, restore prior GET treatment, and help attract studio development; opponents argued the bill was vague, overly favorable to a specific project, and lacked oversight and accountability. The hearing ended with extensive questioning about whether the bill was effectively tailored to a particular studio project and how it related to other film tax credit measures, but no final committee action on SB 1589 or SB 1629 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:12.800> skills<00:42:12.960> that<00:42:13.200> are<00:42:13.280>
• needed to show<00:42:14.000> empathy<00:42:14.560> and<00:42:14.800> care<00:42
• <00:42:25.440> Uh<00:42:25.680> we<00:42:25.920> have<00:42:26.160> hay
• So, it's<00:42:27.520> a<00:42:27.760> wonderful<00:42:28.079> opportunity<00:42
• <00:42:35.280> They<00:42:35.520> really<00:42:35.839> dug<00:42:36.160>

Bills: HF3714, HF4399, HF4176, HF2544, HF60, HF4231, HF4232

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• :13.920> have<00:42:14.079> them<00:42:14.200> on<00:42:14.319> my<00:42:
• <00:42:16.680> chair<00:42:17.000> members<00:42:17.839> uh<00:42:18.359>
• <00:42:37.520> decreasing<00:42:38.520> but<00:42:38.680> in<00:42:38.800>
• <00:42:44.079> some<00:42:44.280> more<00:42:44.520> detail<00:42:44.960>
• ><00:42:49.240> your<00:42:49.480> packets<00:42:49.920> there<00:42:50.079>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair<00:42:26.640> and<00:42:26.880> Mr.
• <00:42:27.119> Henderson,<00:42:27.680> so<00:42:27.920> I<00:42:28.000>
• :42:34.319> plans<00:42:34.640> into<00:42:34.960> alignment.
• What you're<00:42:35.839> saying<00:42:35.920> is<00:42:36.240> even<00:42:36.480
• <00:42:41.200> having<00:42:41.440> had<00:42:41.839> a<00:42:42.160> lot

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• yes<01:42:25.840> regular<01:42:26.199> calendar<01:42:26.560> has<01:42:26.679>
• ><01:42:30.520> to<01:42:30.679> make<01:42:30.840> sure<01:42:31.840> I<
• :52.159> I<01:42:52.239> will<01:42:52.520> pass<01:42:52.800> out<01:42:
• I<02:42:18.359> I<02:42:18.880> there<02:42:19.200> are<02:42:19.439>
• :42:34.680> I<04:42:34.840> I'll<04:42:35.000> just<04:42:35.560> uh<04:42

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 695, relating to school districts and medically related grants. The sponsor argued the bill was vague and could undermine existing law, and another member said it would add an unnecessary mandate for school districts. The committee voted to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the motion passed 18-0. Next, House Bill 765, which would consolidate school administrative units and make superintendent jobs elected positions, was also recommended inexpedient to legislate. Members said the bill raised too many questions, could duplicate other legislation, and would move away from local control. That motion likewise passed 18-0. House Bill 768, allowing public school districts to contract with approved private schools, drew more debate. Supporters described it as a language cleanup and an expansion of educational opportunity, while opponents raised concerns about the placement of the language and pending Supreme Court cases. The committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass, and then 10-8 to recommend ought to pass as amended, with a minority report noted. The committee then considered House Bill 446, dealing with parental notice for non-academic surveys. An amendment was offered to make the Youth Risk Behavior Survey opt-in rather than opt-out. Supporters said parents should be informed and should choose whether their children participate, while opponents argued the survey is an important tool for mental health data, grants, and school programming, and that opt-in would reduce participation and data quality. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report noted. Finally, the committee began House Bill 741, which would allow parents to send children to any school district they choose and expand open enrollment. The sponsor described it as broadening choice and keeping public funds in public schools, and an amendment was proposed to restore provisions for children of military personnel. Discussion on the amendment began, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on House Bill 741 or the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I uh section 4A uh section 4A which<00:42:21.920> allows<00:42:22.240> a<00:42:22.480><
• <00:42:28.720> as<00:42:28.960> long<00:42:29.119> as<00:42:29.280> they<
• <00:42:37.440> I<00:42:37.680> mean<00:42:37.760> I<00:42:38.000> think
• that are not<00:42:56.240> open<00:42:56.480> to<00:42:56.640> the<00:42:56.800>
• . section. section.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Section 8. and Section 8.
• Chair.<00:42:07.600> I<00:42:07.680> believe<00:42:07.960> the<00:42:08.080>
• <00:42:10.240> he<00:42:10.320> wants<00:42:10.600> to<00:42:10.720> say.
• Chair.<00:42:13.240> I<00:42:13.280> just<00:42:13.480> wanted<00:42:13.680>
• :42:31.840> link<00:42:32.200> year<00:42:32.400> by<00:42:32.600> year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:42:19.880> your<00:42:20.040> children<00:42:20.359> arrive<00:42:20.680>
• <00:42:23.559> playgrounds<00:42:23.960> and<00:42:24.079> media<00:42:24.400>
• :25.040> go<00:42:25.160> to<00:42:25.359> classes<00:42:25.839> we<00:42
• ><00:42:27.359> help<00:42:27.760> so<00:42:27.920> a<00:42:28.040> teacher
• <00:42:29.079> on<00:42:29.240> teaching<00:42:29.520> a<00:42:29.720> class<

Bills: HF6, HF52, HF53

Keywords: education, literacy, science of reading, school performance, funding flexibility, innovation zones, equity and inclusion, HF52, New Germany, wastewater treatment, wastewater facility, sewer infrastructure, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, municipal infrastructure, water quality, sanitation, sewage treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• all references of 42 code of Federal<00:40:22.200> Regulation<00:40:22.839> section<00
• :02.599> for<00:42:02.800> aprns<00:42:03.480> in<00:42:03.640> the<00:42
• by<00:42:05.160> 60s<00:42:05.560> when<00:42:05.760> aprns<00:42:06.640>
• > in<00:42:09.480> in<00:42:09.760> care<00:42:10.240> and<00:42:10.440><
• :42:16.640> that<00:42:16.800> there<00:42:16.960> be<00:42:17.200> payment

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Health Committee held its first hearing of 2025, with Chair Greg Takayama and Vice Chair Representative Leoy opening the meeting and outlining housekeeping rules, including a two-minute limit for testifiers and Zoom etiquette. The committee first heard HB 303 on health care preceptors. The Department of Health, Department of Taxation, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several health care organizations supported the bill, saying the existing preceptor tax credit program has been successful and that expanding eligibility to additional professions and students would help address workforce shortages. In response to questions, the Department of Health said the annual tax credit cap is $1.5 million, about 650 to 670 credits are currently used each year, and the bill applies only to unpaid preceptors. The committee then moved on to HB 441, which would raise cigarette taxes. The Attorney General, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and others supported the measure as a way to reduce smoking, especially among youth, and to support tobacco control and cancer-related programs. Opponents, including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Cigar Association of Hawaii, argued the tax is regressive and unreliable as a revenue source. The Department of Health noted the last cigarette tax increase was in 2011, and one witness urged a larger increase than proposed. No vote was taken on either bill in the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard HB 557 on telehealth. The Department of Health supported the bill so long as it did not displace executive budget priorities, and the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and Hawaii Primary Care Association supported it. HPCA said the bill would conform state insurance law to recent Medicare changes expanding audio-only telehealth coverage beyond mental health services, and it emphasized access for rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities. HMSA opposed the bill as written, saying it strayed from the intent of Act 107 and that audio-only telehealth should remain limited because of quality-of-care concerns, though it supported continued access and asked for a different amendment approach. A telehealth provider also testified that payment disparities limit provider expansion and that audio-only access remains important for patients with serious illness. The hearing ended in the excerpt before any committee action or vote on HB 557.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in this work,<00:42:52.880> we<00:42:53.200> found<00:42:53.359> that<00:42:
• <03:42:03.359> Uh,<03:42:03.760> yes,<03:42:04.239> we<03:42:04.640> allow
• Now, if<03:42:11.279> you<03:42:11.520> could<03:42:11.840> if<03:42:12.080>
• c> not<03:42:16.640> want<03:42:16.800> that<03:42:17.120> medication<03:42:
• they can<03:42:23.040> appeal<03:42:23.600> or<03:42:24.000> go<03:42:24.160>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:06.079> use<00:42:06.319> of<00:42:06.520> force<00:42:06.800> and
• c> we<00:42:07.560> do<00:42:08.000> we<00:42:08.119> do<00:42:08.359> track
• :42:14.359> asked<00:42:14.599> for<00:42:14.800> at<00:42:14.920> this<00
• put<00:42:20.720> the<00:42:20.880> department<00:42:21.640> in<00:42:22.079>
• /c><01:42:05.599> is<01:42:06.400> we<01:42:06.599> don't<01:42:06.880> want<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 1324, which would require the Judiciary to contract for legal services for residential tenants in landlord-tenant disputes and allow attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide those services, with an appropriation. The Department of the Attorney General recommended removing reference to Hawaii Public Housing Authority tenants because HPHA eviction proceedings are administrative and could conflict with the bill. Hawaii Appleseed and other testifiers strongly supported the measure, citing studies showing much higher tenant retention when counsel is available, and suggested adding notice of the right to counsel at key points such as rent increases, eviction notices, and lease signing. The committee adopted amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested change and a technical amendment, and passed the bill out with a recommendation to move it forward; members voted aye, with one member voting with reservations and several excused. The committee then heard House Bill 126 on property forfeiture, which would increase transparency and accountability in civil asset forfeiture by clarifying covered property, changing disposition rules, and removing language requiring liberal construction of the forfeiture act. The Attorney General said forfeiture remains an important law enforcement tool and that the bill would not impair its use. The Office of the Public Defender supported the measure but argued civil forfeiture is broadly problematic because many people cannot meaningfully challenge it and are not entitled to counsel. Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, saying forfeiture is useful in fighting illegal activity and that added procedures would delay enforcement and reduce operational funding from forfeiture proceeds. Community Alliance on Prisons, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and other supporters urged reform or abolition of civil forfeiture, citing transparency concerns and the risk of abuse. No vote on HB 126 was taken in the portion provided. The final measure discussed was House Bill 166, which would require the state to defend professionally licensed or certified state employees in certain civil actions, allow employees to hire their own counsel at their own expense, and set a process for the Attorney General to transfer or withdraw representation if the state declines to defend. Testimony from the Hawaii Association for Justice and labor representatives was in strong support, describing the bill as a negotiated clarification that balances employee protections with accountability and noting it had passed previously but died in conference. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on HB 166.