Transcript Highlights:

• The 82-page audit was released in April 2024, concluding with this sentence: “Worst of all, children
• The first sentence in this bill states that the legislature finds that homeschooling is a valid and beneficial
• The first sentence in this bill states that the legislature finds that homeschooling is a valid and beneficial
• The first sentence in this bill states that the legislature finds that homeschooling is a valid and beneficial
• Public school students with IEPs are allowed to take the test with special modifications for each child

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education met on February 17 and announced it would limit public testimony to one minute because more than a thousand testimonies were expected on one measure. The first bill heard was HB 1934, relating to the Imagination Library of Hawaii. The state librarian and Friends of the Library supported the bill, saying the program is a proven, cost-effective way to improve early literacy and should be expanded statewide for children ages 0 to 5. Friends of the Library said the current 50/50 match requirement would be too difficult to meet immediately and asked for state funding for the first few years to help launch the expansion. Testimony included eight supporters and one opponent, and members asked whether the proposal was an expansion of an existing program; the state librarian said it would expand service beyond currently targeted communities. The committee then heard HB 20004, which would extend the floating librarian pilot program. The state librarian, Department of Education, HSTA, and several individuals testified in support. Supporters said the program helps address staffing needs and improves student readiness, especially for college and information literacy. One retired community college librarian said school librarians help students prepare for college and are increasingly important in teaching critical evaluation of misinformation and AI-generated content. Members asked about implementation of the existing pilot, including recruitment of certified librarians for neighbor island and Oahu complex areas; DOE said those positions had been identified and recruitment was underway, and existing funds remained intact. The final major discussion was HB 2398, which clarifies the library system’s role in RNMSP-related projects and public library construction on or near school land. The state librarian and public library system supported the bill, while the Department of Education and Attorney General’s office raised concerns about vague language, especially the phrase “land controlled by the board,” and suggested amendments. In questioning, the state librarian explained that the bill was prompted by conflicts on shared or adjacent school/public library sites, including traffic, pickup and drop-off access, and other operational issues. DOE described significant disruption from one project’s traffic changes and said planning for such projects should involve early coordination and formal agreements. The state librarian responded that the new bill would clarify oversight and help avoid delays and disputes over property control and future renovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• at the following that last sentence at the following that last sentence which<00:50:21.040> we
• >> I just made that additional sentence that I read to you. >> What's your additional sentence?
• >> I I just made that additional sentence >> I I just made that additional sentence
• >> What What's your additional sentence? >> What What's your additional sentence?
• Nor was >> Let's clean that sentence up.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission meeting focused on reviewing and correcting draft minutes and then working through a draft report on the cost of special education. Members made mostly clerical corrections, including clarifying references to Spalding, fixing acronyms such as LETRS, and cleaning up membership titles and appointee roles to match SB 57. The minutes were approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair also noted the commission’s deadline to complete findings and recommendations by July 1 and said the final report must be delivered to legislative leaders, the governor, the state librarian, and others. The main substantive discussion centered on the report’s findings about special education funding. Members agreed the report should emphasize that the commission was created to study the cost of special education and reduce reliance on local property taxes. One draft section described FY24 special education funding as coming from three primary state and federal sources totaling about $152 million, or roughly 15% of annual costs, with the remaining 85% paid by local school districts through property tax revenue, estimated at about $825 million. Members discussed adding historical or longitudinal data to show trends over time, and some suggested attaching charts or tables showing funding over the last 20 to 30 years. A second major topic was demographic data. The draft noted that statewide K-12 enrollment has declined since 2003 while the number and share of students with IEPs has increased. Members questioned whether the data compared like with like, especially given the growth of Education Freedom Accounts and charter school enrollment, and whether the figures included or excluded those students. Several members asked for clearer sourcing from the Department of Education and suggested keeping a list of unresolved questions, including the impact of the shift from ADMA to ADMR and the effect of the EFA program. The discussion ended with agreement to continue refining the report and to gather additional attachments and clarifications before finalizing recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• to SAP because I can't get in to complete the sentence.
• to SAP because I opposed to be sentenced to SAP because I can't<00:24:23.600> get<00:24:23.760
• can't get in to complete the sentence. can't get in to complete the sentence.
• program if nobody's going to sentencing program if nobody's going to accept<00:25:31.200> it<
• In many cases, like the judge mentioned, those are split sentences and they basically may say SAP and

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have one last sentence that you want to tell us, and one thing I will remind you as well as others
• I do have one last sentence that you want to tell us, and one thing I will remind you as well as others
• I do have one last sentence that you want to tell us, and one thing I will remind you as well as others
• go ahead you said um One Last Sentence go ahead you said we're<00:10:32.320> investing we're
• So one last sentence before we go to the next testifier: thank you, Chair.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And let me just read the next sentence. I mean, it's safeguarded with an asterisk.
• statute on page 1, section 1, does this statute simply deal with inmates that are serving a life sentence
• committee, the changes to parole board factors are specific to individuals who are serving life sentences
• So that just struck me as odd that that sentence at the bottom deals with the 30 years of the sentence
• as opposed to a total sentence.

Bills: SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136

Keywords: SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records, health care providers, repeal, New Mexico, pregnancy termination, abortion data, state reporting requirements, confidentiality, reproductive health, parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:01:23.839> under may suspend jail sentence under may suspend jail sentence under paragraphs
• There's language in here that the sentence, the jail sentence, can be suspended if the violators agree
• would trigger the sentence.
• So that's going to be the new sentence there.
• And then on page um sentence there.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. SB 1296 HD1, relating to disaster recovery, would exempt reconstruction of lawfully constructed structures damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster from special management area permits under certain conditions. OPSD, DLNR, the County of Maui, Front Street Recovery, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, saying it would speed rebuilding after disasters like the Maui fires; one witness noted the bill would not cover shoreline parcels unless amended, and members asked about the five-year rebuild window, the meaning of “lawfully constructed,” and whether unlawful structures were excluded. Testimony was also heard on SB 1413, which would allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to dispose of abandoned property in federal public housing projects after notice and within five days; HPHA said the bill would help address illegal dumping and clarify procedures. SB 31 HD1, concerning discriminatory restrictive covenants, was briefly described and had support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and comments from the Uniform Law Commission, with no in-person testimony. The committee then heard SB 1341, which would add HEMA and the Office of Homeland Security to agencies allowed to review energy industry information and would expand the program’s emergency-management purpose. The Hawaii State Energy Office supported the measure, saying the data is important for emergency response and fuel-supply planning. SB 10008 HD1 would authorize counties to adopt ordinances enforcing accessible parking space requirements and clarify county enforcement of EV-related parking provisions; the Disability and Communication Access Board strongly supported the accessible-parking provisions, saying current enforcement is weak, while noting section three on EV spaces is already largely in statute and could be struck if the committee preferred. Tina Yamaki of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition. Finally, the committee heard SB 1028 SD1 HD1, which would eliminate fees, fines, and court costs for offenses committed by minors, discharge existing related debt, limit community service for minors to 72 hours, and repeal certain penalties tied to minors and their parents or guardians. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council, Community Alliance on Prisons, and DebtFree Justice Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that youth fines burden families, worsen poverty, and disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian youth. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments, raising possible constitutional title issues because the current draft incorporates material from HB 129 and includes sections that may relate more to restitution or curfew than to fines and fees; supporters responded that the title is sufficient and cited case law. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations; HB 1455, Appropriations; HB 1456, Appropriations; HB 1461, Appropriations; HB 1751, Death Sentence
• Choice; SCR 1049, Death Sentence Choice.
• Appropriations. 1751 death sentence choice.
• SCR 1049 desk sentence choice. 1751 death sentence choice. C.R. 1049, death sentence choice.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest and doctor introductions. Members recognized visitors for a range of advocacy and community events, including Children’s Health Advocacy Day, Jewish Advocacy Day, housing affordability advocates, environmental advocates for Lobo Week, and several constituent and youth groups. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement honoring Dr. Leah Hillier as Doctor of the Day and several remarks about community organizations and guests in the gallery. The House then received Senate messages and committee referrals, including multiple Senate bills and a concurrent resolution being assigned or withdrawn from committees. In Committee of the Whole, SB 1415 was recommended do pass, and SB 1430 was recommended do pass as amended after a Ways and Means amendment was adopted to remove a controversial provision so the measure would remain limited to tax code corrections. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the bills were deferred for engrossing; SB 1193 was retained on the calendar. On third reading, the House passed HB 2680, relating to workers’ compensation, by a vote of 55-1 with four not voting, and passed SB 1029, relating to campaign contributions and expenses, by a vote of 57-0 with three not voting. Later, the chamber heard extended personal privilege remarks on federal issues, including the government shutdown, TSA and ICE at airports, immigration enforcement, and state budget negotiations. The House also recognized Lobo Week and received announcements about upcoming committee meetings and a CAP update, then adjourned until Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is related to the imposition of consecutive sentences for more than one criminal offense that
• Current law already allows consecutive sentences for certain offenses like continuous sexual abuse, sexual
• However, consecutive sentencing is limited for cases involving repeated injury to children, elderly or
• So House Bill 544 addresses this gap by expanding the court's ability to impose consecutive sentences
• Specifically, the bill amends section 3.03B of the penal code to allow consecutive sentences for multiple

Transcript Highlights:

• PENALTIES, RECLASSIFIED TAMPERING WITH ELECTRONIC DEVICE BASED ON THE SEVERITY OF THE CHARGE OF THE SENTENCE
• LEGISLATORS WANT TO CREATE MORE LAWS WITH SENTENCING THAT DO NOTHING TO DETER CRIME.
• I KNOW OUR OFFICE LOOKED UP THERE WAS 225 CONVICTIONS ON THIS BUT ONLY 12 THAT WERE SENTENCED ON THIS
• IF THE MANDATORY SENTENCE EXCEEDS THE LEGAL MAXIMUM MANDATORY TERM APPLIES.
• SO THAT SOMEONE WHO WHO RECEIVES A DUI OR A -- NOT A DUI BUT I WENT RECKLESS THAT REDUCES A DUI SENTENCE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But no matter how many predators I acquired lengthy prison sentences for, more and more children are
• While prosecuting this case, although we obtained a 50-year prison sentence, we did not find for Solove
• It took time from when I disclosed in April of 2016 to get to sentencing for my offender.
• Finally, he pled guilty March 12th, 2021, four years ago from tomorrow, is the day that he was sentenced
• At the time of his sentencing, he had 375 other victims.

Keywords: Stop CSAM Act, child exploitation, online safety, reporting requirements, tech accountability, NCMEC, survivor support, legislative testimony

Summary: The committee meeting centered around the urgent need to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, focusing primarily on the testimony and discussions surrounding the Stop CSAM Act. Several witnesses, including representatives from law enforcement and advocacy organizations, highlighted the significant drop in reports of child exploitation cases despite an alarming increase in actual incidents. Concerns were raised about tech companies' reporting practices, with calls for more stringent requirements to ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected abuse. The legislation aims to fortify protections for child victims by imposing stricter obligations on tech platforms to report incidents and support law enforcement in investigations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen a judge who was sentencing juveniles as part of an elaborate scheme to juvenile detention
• 54.919> as<00:04:55.120> part<00:04:55.240> of<00:04:55.360> an was sentencing
• juveniles as part of an was sentencing juveniles as part of an elaborate<00:04:56.199> scheme
• talking dozens, if not hundreds, of people involved in the process that ultimately hands down the sentence
• talking dozens, if not hundreds, of people involved in the process that ultimately hands down the sentence

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:

• bill does is extend their continuance for four years until October 1st, 2030, and without any modification
• 33:47.200> any uh October 1st, 2030 and without any uh October 1st, 2030 and without any modification
• <00:33:49.919> Speaker, modification. So with that, Mr. Speaker, modification.
• will read: health in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation Services, with certain modifications

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to Senator Coopac and Senator Dornick for leading the work to reach agreement on the broadband modifications
• to Senator Coopac and Senator Dornick for leading the work to reach agreement on the broadband modifications
• 05.600> broadband to reach agreement on the broadband to reach agreement on the broadband modifications
• <00:05:08.800> we<00:05:09.039> have modifications in Senate File 98. we have modifications

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those apply in the prosecutor-initiated sentence adjustments in plea hearings and also when charges are
• Those apply in the prosecutor-initiated sentence adjustments in plea hearings and also when charges are
• prosecutor-initiated Those apply in the prosecutor-initiated Those apply in the prosecutor-initiated sentence
• adjustments<00:04:54.040> in<00:04:54.240> plea<00:04:54.440> hearings sentence
• adjustments in plea hearings sentence adjustments in plea hearings and<00:04:55.000> also<00:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3990, Chair Novotny’s bill, as the vehicle for a public safety policy package. Members were told the DE1 amendment had been posted for public review, so no formal action would be taken at this meeting; the committee planned to act on the bill at the next hearing on March 25. Chair Novotny said questions from Judiciary on the original bill had been addressed or were still being worked on, and he expressed hope the bill would pass out the next day. Non-partisan staff walked through the DE1 amendment, explaining that it combines multiple bills into one package. The included provisions covered BCA fraud investigations and administrative subpoenas, disaster assistance reporting dates, DOC policy on substance use and TV screening, raising the kratom possession/sale age to 21, DOC facility licensing, restitution considerations for early release, BCA data collection and local law enforcement reimbursements, public employer review of applicants with criminal convictions, victim notification and minor-victim privacy protections, second-degree murder language involving out-of-state protection orders, increased penalties for certain coercion offenses tied to non-consensual image dissemination, and reporting when law enforcement deploys chemical irritants. No one signed up to testify, and there were no votes or formal amendments acted on during the meeting. The chair noted that additional amendments were expected at the next hearing, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or probation violations, or sentenced felonies.
• Yeah, uh, after serving their pre-trial, they're convicted and they have a sentence of more than one
• These are pre-trial populations and sentenced misdemeanors.
• So they have pre-trial and they have sentenced felons separately on the same property, and their jail
• felons separately on the same sentenced felons separately on the same property<00:21:36.159> and<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:59.640> I<00:49:59.760> think paragraph the final sentence I think paragraph
• I just add a sentence to the first section saying this appropriation shall be not lapsing.
• I don't know if we need the rest of that sentence.
• is onlaps, and you don't even need a separate sentence.
• So I have a sentence that I could suggest.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've included the minimum sentence structure by sentence length and maximum sentence structure by sentence
• sentence as well.
• sentence as well.
• <03:58:04.319> of can then be uh rendered a sentence of can then be uh rendered a sentence
• incarcerated sentence sentence new incarcerated sentence bookings<03:59:07.760> that<03:59:07.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.

Transcript Highlights:

• It only matters that the offense carries a possible sentence of 365 days.
• <01:26:02.440> to matter if you're actually sentenced to matter if you're actually sentenced
• <01:26:18.400> In a possible sentence of 365 days. In a possible sentence of 365 days.
• , if misdemeanor sentences in state court, if they're<01:30:15.800> sentenced<01:30:16.440>
• Uh first and foremost, we are oppositional to mandatory sentences.

Bills: SB2041

Keywords: land court, real property, legal documents, bureau of conveyances, judicial confirmation, property registration, working group, Hawaii Revised Statutes, reform, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard SB 2041, which would repeal the Land Court, transfer its functions to the Bureau of Conveyances, and create a working group to recommend implementation. DLNR and Judiciary stood on their written testimony, while Realtors supported the bill and one testifier raised concerns about the loss of judicial authority, title disputes, adverse possession, and possible effects on Kuleana lands. Members questioned whether property could be deregistered and what the legal consequences would be, and the Bureau of Conveyances said deregistration is already available but burdensome. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted by both committees. The Judiciary Committee then heard SB 2247, which restricts certain governor-appointed, Senate-confirmed executive branch employees from participating in campaign fundraising. The State Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill as a way to curb pay-to-play concerns and the appearance of undue influence, and several advocacy and civic groups also testified in support, with one person opposing. The committee agreed to amend the bill so the restrictions apply only after confirmation and continue until the person leaves the covered position. The committee voted to pass SB 2247 with amendments. Finally, the Judiciary Committee heard SB 2143, which would make the Attorney General the interim Chief Election Officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. Supporters argued the bill would provide continuity, prevent delays in certifying election results, and protect election integrity; opponents argued it would politicize the office, create a conflict of interest, and was unnecessary because current law already provides a process for filling vacancies. Testimony was extensive and sharply divided, with many speakers on both sides. The transcript provided does not include a final vote or action on SB 2143.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just some of the one thread of conversation is now setting apart the second sentence that's on the
• unified authority need to be rejiggered a bit, but effectively that's the finding, and the first sentence
• And the first sentence is a recommendation, which is my number one, yeah, you know, as a recommendation
• To my mind, having the finding be a version of that second sentence, and then the recommendation being
• To my mind, having the finding be a version of that second sentence, and then the recommendation being

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.

Transcript Highlights:

• accepted, but it had a sentence at the end of it that if it conflicted—and I don't even remember if
• So we actually took out a sentence that we had added in.
• We took out the last sentence, but then we moved it down to our Article 15, Paragraph B.
• We just removed the last sentence there, and I don't even, oh, that was the due check.
• And here, I'd like to direct you just to a single sentence in your FIR.

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce