Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, it<00:14:02.639><c> says</c><00:14:02.720><c> they</c><00:14:03.040><c> repres</c><00:14:03.519>
• &gt;&gt; Yes,<00:14:04.480><c> it</c><00:14:04.639><c> says</c><00:14:04.800><c> they</c><00:14:04.959
• ><00:14:14.560><c> uh</c><00:14:14.720><c> Chair</c><00:14:14.959><c> Nash</c><00:14:15.279><c> and</
• ><00:14:28.880><c> by</c><00:14:29.120><c> the</c><00:14:29.519><c> head</c><00:14:29.760><c> of</c>
• > agency</c><00:14:30.480><c> that</c><00:14:30.880><c> the</c><00:14:31.040><c> that</c><00:14:31.360

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> um</c><00:14:05.199><c> but</c><00:14:05.519><c> how</c><00:14:05.880><c> how</c><00:14:06.120><
• :14:12.120><c> answer</c> that<00:14:17.160><c> good</c><00:14:17.320><c> morning</c><00:14:18.279><c
• 14:20.600><c> produced</c><00:14:21.040><c> in</c><00:14:21.199><c> Hawaii</c><00:14:21.560><c> is</c
• ><c> get</c><00:14:31.040><c> back</c><00:14:31.160><c> to</c><00:14:31.399><c> do</c><00:14:31.480><
• <00:14:43.519><c> only</c><00:14:43.839><c> the</c><00:14:43.959><c> col</c><00:14:44.279><c> that's<

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Economic Development and Tourism committees heard S.B. 890, which would have prohibited the sale, display, or marketing of products labeled as poi unless wholly derived from Hawaii-grown taro. The Attorney General’s Office raised Commerce Clause and free speech concerns, and the Department of Agriculture offered support with comments. Testimony was mixed: several individuals and organizations supported the bill as a way to protect the cultural integrity and purity of poi and support local taro farmers, while an industry representative opposed the bill as written, arguing that poi is a process, that the language was too restrictive, and that the industry already faces taro shortages and supply variability. Committee members also discussed the limited supply of local kalo, the use of imported taro for tabletop products, and the need to expand production. After testimony, the committees recommended passing S.B. 890 with amendments. The amendment package would convert the measure from a prohibition to a labeling requirement so poi made with ingredients from outside Hawaii must be labeled with the origins of those ingredients, remove references specifically to taro to accommodate other ingredients, add a severability clause, and set a defective date of July 1, 2050. The measure was adopted, with one senator voting with reservations and the rest voting aye. The committees then took up previously heard measures. S.B. 281, relating to telehealth, was recommended for passage with amendments to reinstate an opt-out from video conferencing in the definition of interactive telecommunications software; it was adopted. S.B. 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, was recommended for passage unamended and was also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm<00:14:03.640><c> confident</c><00:14:04.400><c> in</c><00:14:04.640><c> the</c><00:14:04.720><c>
• :14:07.560><c> able</c><00:14:07.840><c> to</c><00:14:08.600><c> tackle</c><00:14:08.960><c> that</c>
• <00:14:10.320><c> separating</c><00:14:11.320><c> those</c><00:14:11.560><c> two</c><00:14:11.720><c>
• So<00:14:12.680><c> that</c><00:14:12.840><c> as</c><00:14:13.000><c> we</c><00:14:13.120><c> move</c
• <00:14:16.640><c> all</c><00:14:16.840><c> of</c><00:14:16.920><c> the</c><00:14:17.000><c> injuries<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4074, the second engrossment of the retirement bill, was presented as a broad pension package with changes affecting multiple public retirement systems. Rep. Lilly described provisions including bringing St. Paul teachers closer to parity with TRA, reducing the COLA waiting period for police and fire retirees from two years to one, lowering the retirement age for certain probation, corrections, and 911 telecommunicator workers from 60 to 55, addressing a State Board of Investments fix, and creating or continuing work on Secure Choice and other retirement-related issues. Members also noted help for volunteer firefighters, EMS-related workers, and a local fix for Maple Plain’s volunteer fire system. The bill was repeatedly described as bipartisan and the product of successful working groups and negotiations with the Senate. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing the importance of public pensions, the impact of inflation on retirees, and the value of the bill’s targeted improvements for workers who are often not covered by Social Security. Rep. Johnson, Rep. Hill, Rep. Vega, Rep. Robbins, Rep. Cha, and others praised the work of the pension commission, staff, and the co-chairs. They highlighted the St. Paul teachers changes, the police and fire COLA adjustment, and the bill’s efforts to honor promises made to public employees. Some members also pointed to the importance of work groups as a way to develop better long-term solutions. The main point of debate centered on the duty disability amendment, which would have addressed disability issues for first responders. Supporters said the issue is serious and needs a work group solution rather than piecemeal changes, while Rep. Johnson and others warned that the proposal could create problems by treating psychological injuries differently from physical injuries. Rep. Roach said the body should not have passed the prior law and urged a fix for disabled law enforcement and first responders. After discussion, Rep. Lilly withdrew the A3 amendment. Earlier technical amendments A9 and A10 were adopted by voice vote, with members noting they were non-substantive and intended to keep House and Senate language identical and avoid a conference committee. The bill then moved to third reading as amended, with members urging a green vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• 23.880><c> we</c><00:14:24.000><c> were</c><00:14:24.560><c> shocked</c><00:14:25.519><c> by</c><00:14
• ><00:14:27.639><c> of</c><00:14:27.800><c> the</c><00:14:27.959><c> 45</c><00:14:28.440><c> minutes</
• in train<00:14:29.079><c> training</c><00:14:29.800><c> only</c><00:14:30.120><c> 2</c><00:14:30.320
• and DCF<00:14:50.399><c> and</c><00:14:50.519><c> they</c><00:14:50.600><c> have</c><00:14:50.720><c
• ><00:14:52.800><c> planning</c><00:14:53.279><c> this</c><00:14:53.440><c> training</c><00:14:53.920>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two surgeons chose<00:14:09.040><c> not</c><00:14:09.199><c> to</c><00:14:09.279><c> clear</c><00:14:
• It's not<00:14:11.680><c> just</c><00:14:11.920><c> my</c><00:14:12.079><c> career</c><00:14:12.240><
• We<00:14:13.279><c> lost</c><00:14:13.440><c> my</c><00:14:13.600><c> income</c><00:14:14.000><c> and
• And I<00:14:15.600><c> lost</c><00:14:15.760><c> a</c><00:14:15.920><c> joy</c><00:14:16.079><c> of</
• ><00:14:22.720><c> for</c><00:14:23.040><c> student</c><00:14:23.360><c> A</c><00:14:23.680><c> that<

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :05.120><c> in</c><00:14:05.279><c> favor</c><00:14:05.480><c> of</c><00:14:05.600><c> the</c><00:14:
• c> the</c><00:14:10.959><c> next</c><00:14:11.240><c> item</c><00:14:11.560><c> that</c><00:14:11.639
• ><c> one</c><00:14:12.920><c> of</c><00:14:13.079><c> our</c><00:14:13.480><c> um</c><00:14:13.600><c
• committee</c><00:14:20.360><c> um</c><00:14:20.720><c> so</c><00:14:20.880><c> what</c><00:14:20.959
• </c><00:14:24.600><c> of</c><00:14:25.240><c> the</c><00:14:25.440><c> Committee</c><00:14:25.800><c>

Bills: HF747 , HF1014 , HF320 , HF400

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association, MIGA, insurance guaranty fund, insurer insolvency, covered claim, net worth threshold, high-net-worth insured, financial information request, insurance claims, self-insured retention, deductible, commercial insurance, insurance regulation, Minnesota Statutes 60C.09, guaranty association

Transcript Highlights:

• 14:00.720><c> that</c><00:14:00.880><c> up</c><00:14:01.040><c> and</c><00:14:01.199><c> and</c> then
• c><00:14:01.839><c> we</c><00:14:02.079><c> can,</c><00:14:02.399><c> you</c><00:14:02.560><c> know,<
• </c><00:14:15.680><c> So,</c><00:14:15.920><c> House</c><00:14:16.160><c> File</c><00:14:16.560><c> 3
• Uh the<00:14:24.399><c> questions</c><00:14:24.720><c> that</c><00:14:24.880><c> we</c><00:14:25.120>
• /c><00:14:27.440><c> the</c><00:14:27.600><c> fact</c><00:14:27.760><c> that</c><00:14:28.000><c> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that<00:14:07.280><c> he</c><00:14:07.400><c> started</c><00:14:08.360><c> and</c><00:14:08.480><c>
• :14:22.760><c> the</c><00:14:22.920><c> the</c><00:14:23.080><c> staff</c><00:14:23.440><c> retreat</
• > humor,</c><00:14:35.120><c> so</c><00:14:35.920><c> I</c><00:14:36.160><c> wasn't</c><00:14:36.480>
• <00:14:44.560><c> him</c><00:14:44.720><c> back</c><00:14:45.440><c> to</c><00:14:45.560><c> the</c><
• Will<00:14:47.320><c> the</c><00:14:47.600><c> former</c><00:14:47.920><c> member</c><00:14:48.280><c

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:07.360><c> again,</c><00:14:07.600><c> I</c><00:14:07.760><c> don't</c><00:14:07.839><c> want</c>
• ><c> but</c><00:14:11.279><c> I,</c><00:14:11.600><c> as</c><00:14:11.839><c> I</c><00:14:12.000><c>
• 00:14:14.800><c> and</c><00:14:15.040><c> asked</c><00:14:15.600><c> for</c><00:14:15.839><c> this</c
• c> is</c><00:14:18.160><c> kind</c><00:14:18.320><c> of</c><00:14:18.399><c> the</c><00:14:18.639><c>
• :14:22.959><c> final</c><00:14:23.519><c> piece</c><00:14:23.760><c> of</c><00:14:24.000><c> their</c

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:28.240><c> Um</c><00:14:28.639><c> and</c><00:14:28.880><c> we</c><00:14:29.120><c> would<
• <00:14:30.320><c> of</c><00:14:30.560><c> the</c><00:14:30.720><c> parties</c><00:14:31.279><c> is</c
• It<00:14:35.040><c> it</c><00:14:35.440><c> really</c><00:14:35.839><c> may</c><00:14:36.079><c> not<
• </c><00:14:37.680><c> all</c><00:14:38.000><c> wanted</c><00:14:38.480><c> to</c><00:14:38.720><c> do
• ><c> he's</c><00:14:48.399><c> out</c><00:14:48.560><c> on</c><00:14:48.720><c> a</c><00:14:48.880><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, where a quorum was confirmed, and the commission approved the July 8, 2025 minutes. The staff report was deferred to later in the agenda. The commission then took up a consolidated matter involving case numbers 24 LEC 3 and 24 LEC 6, centered on a pending motion to dismiss and a response that had been filed. Counsel for Representative Grossberg argued the case should be dismissed because the attorney handling the matter, Mr. Jenkins, allegedly lacked a properly approved contract under government contract review requirements. She also argued that the complaint process was flawed, that complainants relied on rumor and anonymous assertions, and that the matter reflected political retaliation and abuse of process. She said a renewed motion to dismiss had been filed and requested a hearing date and briefing schedule. Enforcement counsel responded that he had been authorized to proceed by the commission, that the contract issue had been disclosed before the preliminary hearing, and that the cited cases did not support dismissal. The chair allowed limited rebuttal, after which the parties clarified their positions on whether Mr. Jenkins had been authorized to act as enforcement counsel and for what period. The commission then voted to go into executive session under KRS 61.810 to discuss and deliberate the pending motion and any confidential complaints. The motion passed, and the meeting moved into closed session.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> And</c><00:14:02.800><c> so,</c><00:14:02.959><c> we</c><00:14:03.120><c> want</c><00:14:03.199>
• In fact, if<00:14:08.320><c> you</c><00:14:08.480><c> look</c><00:14:08.560><c> at</c><00:14:08.639><
• :14:12.480><c> budget</c><00:14:12.800><c> request</c><00:14:13.279><c> are</c><00:14:13.440><c> the<
• <c> we</c><00:14:15.839><c> have</c><00:14:16.240><c> so</c><00:14:16.480><c> that</c><00:14:16.639><
• And I<00:14:23.600><c> think</c><00:14:23.680><c> that's</c><00:14:23.920><c> a</c><00:14:24.240><c>

Bills: SB2543 , SB2435 , SB2352

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies

Summary: The Committee on Government Operations reconvened on February 10, 2026, to take up measures previously heard on February 5. It advanced SB 2983 on criminal destruction of trees with technical, non-substantive amendments and a committee report note asking Judiciary to clarify that removal of invasive species remains allowed; the measure passed with one no vote. SB 2930 on the state risk management revolving fund also passed with amendments, including blanking out the amount, setting a defective date, and directing Ways and Means to review a spreadsheet before further action. The committee likewise passed SB 2928 on making the small business procurement program permanent and SB 2970 on standards of conduct for state agency contracts, adopting the Ethics Commission’s recommended language assigning compliance responsibility to department directors and deputy directors. SB 2927 and SB 3068 on procurement were deferred to a time certain on February 12, and SB 3015 on personal information, SB 2929 on public notice, and SB 2938 on search and rescue were also deferred for further discussion or to avoid re-referral issues. SB 2662 on external consultants was amended to remove a cap and preemptive approval language, narrow the expertise standard, and note possible auditor staffing or appropriation needs; it then passed with amendments. The joint GVO-EIG hearing then took up SB 2543 on state construction projects and an Office of the State Construction Manager within DAGS. Testimony from the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund strongly supported the bill, saying it could reduce wasteful spending on large design-build projects and free money for tax credits and other public needs. DAGS, the University of Hawaii, and DLNR offered written comments, while one witness from KIC opposed the measure and asked for an exemption for member-owned electric cooperatives. A Hawaii Solar Energy Association witness also supported the bill but asked that landscape architects be excluded from the bill’s definition of design professionals, and Rocky Mold said Kauai permitting was efficient enough that he had no objection to carving it out. The committee adopted amendments from DNR, DAGS, and UH and passed SB 2543. The hearing also considered SB 2435 on EV charging infrastructure at state facilities. DAGS and the Hawaii State Energy Office supported the concept and explained that the goal was to retrofit managed parking facilities with infrastructure that can meet current and future EV needs, while acknowledging that some stalls can sit unused and that the state must balance space and enforcement. Members raised concerns about whether dedicating 25% of stalls to EV charging would reduce usable parking, and about rural and Big Island conditions where EV range and battery capacity remain limiting. The discussion noted that DOT, DNR, DOE, and DOH may have their own parking facilities outside DAGS control. The committee then indicated it would broaden the bill to apply to all state agencies and lower the threshold in response to member concerns, with final action not fully shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:14:12.160><c> the</c><00:14:12.240><c> bid</c><00:14:12.560><c> comes</c><00:14:12.720><c> out</c>
• </c><00:14:14.160><c> inflation</c><00:14:14.639><c> I</c><00:14:14.800><c> guess</c><00:14:14.959><c
• &gt;&gt; Well,<00:14:16.720><c> you</c><00:14:16.880><c> know</c><00:14:17.360><c> there's</c><00:14:
• ><c> the</c><00:14:18.800><c> cup</c><00:14:18.959><c> and</c><00:14:19.040><c> the</c><00:14:19.199>
• </c><00:14:21.920><c> that</c><00:14:22.160><c> process</c><00:14:22.639><c> some</c><00:14:22.800><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee heard testimony from the Energy and Environment Cabinet on the state-owned dam repair program and Kentucky’s electric grid resilience program. On dams, Commissioner Tony Hatton explained the legal definition and hazard classifications for Kentucky dams, noting there are 975 regulated dams statewide, including 76 state-owned dams, and that hazard ratings are based on potential loss of life or property damage if a dam fails. He described the cabinet’s screening criteria, including inundation mapping, engineering condition, and compliance status, and said the cabinet uses a design-bid-build procurement process to manage public funds responsibly. Hatton outlined current and planned dam projects funded from the prior biennium, including Willisburg Lake in Washington County, where work will address hydraulic capacity, unstable downstream slopes, and likely require a coffer dam, flood wall, auxiliary spillway, and raw water line replacement. He also said Big Bone Lake State Park Dam will be decommissioned, Clemens Lake Dam at Morehead State University is in design for a major rehabilitation, and additional projects include Marion County Sportsman’s Dam, Chenoa Lake Creek/Canning Creek Dam, and a rehabilitation study for the Mud River at Lake Malone. The cabinet also requested $500,000 for routine repairs and maintenance. Members questioned cost estimates, inflation, and whether it would be better to fund design separately; cabinet officials said estimates are current best engineering estimates, costs have generally stayed within about 10%, and the current funding flow requires all funds to be available before bidding. The committee then received a status update on the electric grid resilience program, a five-year federal formula grant under Section 40101(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Officials said Kentucky has received years one through three of funding, which has been allocated to state park facilities and municipal electric utilities, while years four and five have not yet been received and would go to distribution cooperatives and remaining municipal utilities. Projects discussed included upgrades at Ken Lake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village, plus municipal projects in Owensboro, Princeton, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville. The cabinet said the selected projects focus on hardening infrastructure, replacing poles, wires, conductors, and transformers, improving vegetation management, and adding or upgrading outage management systems. Officials reported that all projects are under contract and moving into subcontracting and construction, while the Department of Parks is finalizing an agreement with Western Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative for the park-related work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:17.760><c> I</c><00:14:18.079><c> got</c><00:14:18.240><c> this</c><00:14:18.959><c> in</c
• </c><00:14:23.440><c> would</c><00:14:23.760><c> like</c><00:14:23.839><c> to</c><00:14:24.000><c> ask
• </c><00:14:30.000><c> shall</c><00:14:30.320><c> be</c><00:14:30.639><c> in</c><00:14:30.880><c> the<
• /c> ending<00:14:38.000><c> on</c><00:14:38.480><c> at</c><00:14:38.639><c> that</c><00:14:38.880><c>
• per</c><00:14:39.199><c> a</c><00:14:39.440><c> period</c><00:14:39.760><c> on</c><00:14:39.920><c>

Bills: HB0117 , HB0126

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:06.800><c> cam</c><00:14:07.199><c> to</c><00:14:07.440><c> be</c><00:14:08.000><c> in</c><00:
• 14:13.920><c> of</c><00:14:14.079><c> this</c><00:14:14.240><c> bill.
• ><00:14:42.959><c> may</c><00:14:43.120><c> not</c><00:14:43.279><c> be</c><00:14:43.360><c> able</c>
• </c><00:14:44.240><c> I</c><00:14:44.480><c> wouldn't</c><00:14:44.639><c> want</c><00:14:44.800><c>
• </c> Well,<00:14:50.000><c> if</c><00:14:50.160><c> we're</c><00:14:50.320><c> if</c><00:14:50.480><c

Committee: Joint Highways and Transportation

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> go</c><00:14:00.399><c> down</c><00:14:00.560><c> in</c><00:14:00.720><c> the</c><00:14:00.880><
• &gt;&gt; Anyways,<00:14:46.560><c> House</c><00:14:46.880><c> Bill</c><00:14:47.519><c> 199</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:52.560><c> the</c><00:14:52.720><c> house</c><00:14:52.959><c> out</c><00:14:53.199><c> of
• ><c> Senate</c><00:14:53.680><c> committee</c><00:14:53.920><c> and</c><00:14:54.079><c> it</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:55.680><c> Hopefully,</c><00:14:56.079><c> this</c><00:14:56.240><c> will</c><00:14:56.320

Committee: House Jefferson County Legislation

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean this this<00:14:18.480><c> sounds</c><00:14:19.279><c> like</c><00:14:20.000><c> you</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:21.360><c> tens</c><00:14:21.600><c> of</c><00:14:21.760><c> negotiations</c><00:14:22.320
• but I'm wondering<00:14:22.880><c> are</c><00:14:23.040><c> there</c><00:14:23.120><c> any</c><00:14
• </c><00:14:30.480><c> You</c><00:14:30.639><c> know,</c><00:14:30.800><c> I</c><00:14:31.040><c> think
• both,</c><00:14:34.800><c> you</c><00:14:34.959><c> know,</c><00:14:35.120><c> a</c><00:14:35.440><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So,<00:14:02.959><c> they</c><00:14:03.279><c> are</c><00:14:03.440><c> currently</c><00:14:04.160><c
• > what</c><00:14:07.680><c> we</c><00:14:07.839><c> are</c><00:14:08.079><c> asking</c><00:14:09.040>
• 14:22.480><c> that</c><00:14:22.959><c> does</c><00:14:23.199><c> need</c><00:14:23.360><c> to</c> um
• </c><00:14:24.480><c> It</c><00:14:24.720><c> would</c><00:14:24.880><c> establish</c><00:14:25.360><
• :14:29.519><c> uh</c><00:14:29.760><c> that</c><00:14:30.399><c> that</c><00:14:31.040><c> work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:07.199><c> Badrie,</c><00:14:07.519><c> that</c><00:14:07.680><c> there</c><00:14:07.839><
• <c> the</c><00:14:09.680><c> kind</c><00:14:09.760><c> of</c><00:14:09.920><c> work</c><00:14:10.079>
• <00:14:15.680><c> not</c><00:14:15.760><c> a</c><00:14:16.000><c> program</c><00:14:17.279><c> to</c>
• </c><00:14:21.199><c> Um</c><00:14:21.920><c> and</c><00:14:22.480><c> um</c><00:14:23.519><c> uh</c>
• the governor<00:14:32.240><c> had</c><00:14:33.040><c> uh</c><00:14:33.199><c> had</c><00:14:33.440>

Bills: HF3707 , HF3732 , HF2581 , HF3731

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

Keywords: unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

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• ><c> So</c><00:14:20.160><c> then</c><00:14:20.399><c> and</c><00:14:20.639><c> then</c><00:14:20.880
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Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on five housing-related measures. SB 2232 would create a three-year tiny home grant pilot program within HHFDC, with annual reporting to HHFDC and the Legislature; testimony was mixed, and the bill was later recommended for passage with amendments, including a full-time housing development specialist, a residential-use-only restriction for the tiny homes, and a blanked appropriation. SB 2192 would bar county down-zoning that reduces housing capacity unless equivalent capacity is added elsewhere in the county; it drew support from housing advocates and comments from planning officials, and was also recommended for passage with amendments. SB 2378 would clarify insurance requirements for single- and multifamily projects seeking expedited county permitting; engineers and housing groups supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and it was recommended for passage with a technical amendment. SB 2524 would appropriate funds to the City and County of Honolulu for housing-related departments to comply with prior acts; the Honolulu department supported it, and members asked about prior spending and funding sources. SB 2398 would require residential housing utility availability maps; the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed the bill as written, citing infrastructure security, accuracy, liability, and administrative burden concerns, while supporters said it would improve transparency for developers. The chair proposed amendments to make the maps broad and geographic rather than parcel-specific, remove contested-case and reliance provisions, allow disclaimer language, and change the date; the bill was then recommended for passage with amendments, with one member noting reservations. All five measures were ultimately passed out of committee with amendments, with votes recorded and some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

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• </c><00:14:12.240><c> similar</c><00:14:12.600><c> Bill</c><00:14:13.240><c> last</c><00:14:13.560><c
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• :14:01.679><c> Mr</c><01:14:01.960><c> bro</c><01:14:02.600><c> um</c><01:14:03.120><c> uh</c><01:14:

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all