Keywords: HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMJBYIQ-if0, 2026-07-02T01:22:43+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting of the Special Committee Senate State of Hawaii COVID-19 Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Agenda The special committee will convene to assess and advise the Senate regarding the State of Hawaii's COVID-19 plans and procedures to include, but not limited to: 1) Confirm the development of the state departmental plans and procedures; 2) Review and assess current state departmental plans and procedures; 3) Review and assess whether state departmental plans and procedures are properly and timely implemented to safeguard public health and safety; and 4) To communicate and disseminate information obtained therefrom. The special committee will be meeting with the following: 12:00 p.m. University of Hawaii David Lassner, President 1:00 p.m. Department of Education Dr. Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent 2:00 p.m. Hawaii Tourism Authority Chris Tatum, CEO, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• Johnson County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.
• Regarding the question on the elections, we follow the Texas Election Code.
• Are you seeing any type of industrial use of protests in any other areas of the state?
• What parts of the state of Texas are those 9 coming from?
• It's estimated to be the 11th largest groundwater district in the state.

Bills: HB3115, HB5671, HB5693, SB790, SB1055, SB1302, SB1504, SB1625, SB1663, SB2692

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Bills: HB3115, HB5671, HB5693, SB790, SB1055, SB1302, SB1504, SB1625, SB1663, SB2692

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for each member, and we ask your blessing on them and through them, bless the great state
• we were up here in this chamber arguing and fighting over the things that we think will better the state
• Placing themselves in extreme and immediate danger, they, along with the state trooper, moved toward

Bills: HB4139, HB4143, HB4144, HB3974, HB3303, HB3790, HB3697, HB3262, HB4226, HB2936, HB3322, HB4296, HB3278, HB4202, HB3648, HB3500, HB3037, HB3428, HB3257, HB3432, HB3043, HB3044, HB3078, HB3940

Keywords: home warranty, service contracts, transparency, insurance regulation, consumer protection, motor vehicles, traffic collisions, car accident, auto accident, crash report, collision report, property damage threshold, Department of Public Safety, DPS, law enforcement reports, insurance claims, financial responsibility, uninsured motorist, private property accidents, public roadway

Transcript Highlights:

• At least 22 states already allow a physician to initiate an emergency detention, and several other states
• No, I think... ...like she said, it varies widely from state to state, depending on the center that you're
• When you request those from the state, the state does not keep that information.
• The state of Texas actually has the most stringent charity care law in the state, the 5%.
• We have 91 in the state, the largest by far of any other state.

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to ask about the $3 million for the state plane purchase.
• I think currently the state has approximately 5 aviation assets.
• I believe that the state of Oklahoma does have aviation assets.
• minimum for all teachers in the state of Oklahoma by $2,000.
• Excuse me, the state employee longevity pay increase was $519,000.

Bills: SB1177, SB1177

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see some taken from unclaimed property from the insurance commissioner and Secretary of State
• In this case, it's the state of Oklahoma making an employer contribution to the tune of 16.5%.
• organizations, including the Department of Public Safety and state troopers.
• Would you speak to the state department of Education, our pre-K through 12 schools?
• There are land applications going on in the state where they are using it for fertilizer.

Bills: SB1177

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Between State Route 260 and Penrod Road.
• State Route 260. ...congestion on state highways like State Route 260.
• A state bridge is not a 100-year bridge, and we have to put a 100-year bridge in, and our own state has
• State Treasurer in fiscal year 2027 for the state match of the Douglas Port of Entry and allows expenditures
• So I'm here to serve the whole state.

Bills: SB1272

Keywords: appropriation, Douglas port of entry, state funding, infrastructure, federal support, 1182, all

Summary: The Rural Economic Development Committee heard presentations focused first on local infrastructure needs in Legislative District 7, especially the East Wolford Road Extension project in Show Low. City and county officials said the road and new bridge would provide a critical alternate route around U.S. 60 and State Route 260, improve access to Summit Healthcare, reduce congestion, and create a safer evacuation path during wildfires or flooding. They emphasized that the project is fully designed and shovel-ready, with substantial local and developer funding already committed, and described past flooding and the Rodeo-Chediski Fire as evidence of the need for another emergency crossing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1272, which appropriates $5 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 2027 as a match for the Douglas Port of Entry project, contingent on a federal GSA award. Senator Gallen, Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva, and city staff described the project as a major trade, jobs, and border-security investment that would support a new commercial port and expansion of the existing Raul H. Castro Port of Entry. They said the project is intended to speed commerce, strengthen inspection and security, and leverage significant federal and private investment, while noting a funding deadline and a remaining local gap. During testimony, Douglas representatives said the city has already secured part of the required match, is pursuing additional federal and bank financing, and cannot easily raise the rest through local bonds because of time and tax-base limits. Members asked about timelines, private participation, and security impacts. The committee approved SB 1272 on a 6-0 vote, with one member absent, and the bill was returned with a do pass recommendation.

Bills: SB365

Keywords: cash transactions, rounding, legal tender, state regulations, consumer transactions, 923, senate, all

Bills: HJR1086, SB392

Keywords: judicial rules, public safety, state agencies, permanent rules, legislative approval, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state crime?
• comparable state crime to that. comparable state crime to that.
• state law. state law.
• And then again as a state the state agencies will be able to see a dashboard for the entire state so
• the state agencies will be able to state the state agencies will be able to see<00:55:07.359> a

Bills: SF0101

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• something that's happening in the state something that's happening in the state now?
• law-abiding citizens in this state. law-abiding citizens in this state.
• <00:36:37.440> if state and to the laws of this state if state and to the laws of this state
• That's not a state law.
• They do owners across the state.

Bills: SF0101

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in line with other state agencies.
• , Wyoming DOT housing around the state?
• , Wyoming DOT housing around the state?
• those properties that are that are state those properties that are that are state or<00:12:42.320
• ,<00:20:14.320> which that loves wildlife in the state, which that loves wildlife in the state

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:22.079> with reminder, too, there are 46 states with reminder, too, there are 46 states
• wasn't good for the state.
• wasn't good for the state.
• wasn't good for the state.
• Uh Representative Harshman, I state.

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to grow in our state, we have to find a fair, balanced process.
• to grow in our state, we have to find a fair, balanced process.
• to grow in our state, we have to find a fair, balanced process.
• to grow in our state, we have to find a fair, balanced process.
• to grow in our state, we have to find a fair, balanced process.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• throughout the state.
• throughout the state.
• throughout the state.
• throughout the state.
• throughout the state.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And is it possible for state employees to lose their full health care coverage and working for the state
• And is it possible for state employees to lose their full health care coverage and working for the state
• But the state does not contribute to their premiums.
• The state does not contribute to their premiums.
• are state employees?

Bills: SB2160

Keywords: health insurance, public employees, uniform group insurance, retirement, state employees, 908, all

Summary: The committee resumed work on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the Public Employees Retirement System health plan from grandfathered to non-grandfathered status under the Affordable Care Act. PERS officials Rebecca Frickie and Derek Holbein explained that the bill would allow more flexibility in plan design, including higher deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums, while also adding enhanced preventive benefits. They clarified that ACA “essential health benefits” apply to individual and small-group markets, not to PERS as a large employer, and that the bill’s projected cost increases were based on actuarial estimates and prior bid scenarios from Sanford and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Members debated whether the bill would actually save money or simply shift costs to employees. Supporters argued that non-grandfathered status would create more levers to manage medical inflation and could produce net premium savings through plan redesign, citing prior bid comparisons showing potential reductions of 1% to 8% depending on the option. Opponents, including Representative Schauer and North Dakota United president Nick Archelette, questioned how the state would pay for the estimated $25 million to $30 million in added benefits and warned that employees could face higher out-of-pocket costs amid already strained household budgets. Frickie said the legislature would control funding decisions and that current law requiring the state to pay full family premiums could be changed only by statute. The committee also discussed reserve funding, with members noting that a $4.3 million reserve draw in the bill was intended to cover the final months of the biennium and could be modified. After testimony and discussion, Vice Chair Johnson moved a do-pass recommendation and referral to Appropriations. The motion passed 10-3-1, with Representatives Ostlie, Schatz, and Schauer voting no. Representative Gump agreed to carry the bill.

Bills: SB903, SB2101, SB2550, SB2983, HB2433, SCR8, SCR20, SCR28, SCR32, SCR40, SCR48, SCR55, SCR57, SCR69, SCR74, SCR83, SCR87, SCR94, SCR99, SCR114, SCR139, SCR160, SCR165, SCR177, SCR178, SCR179, SCR41, SCR78, SCR90, SCR130, SCR159, SCR162, SCR173, SB2024, SB2075, SB2730, HB2581, SB2050, SB2471, SB2466, HB1163, HB1514, SB3082, SB2135, SB2727, SB3097, HB1696, HB2021, SR20, SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903, SB2101, SB2550, SB2983, HB2433, SCR8, SCR20, SCR28, SCR32, SCR40, SCR48, SCR55, SCR57, SCR69, SCR74, SCR83, SCR87, SCR94, SCR99, SCR114, SCR139, SCR160, SCR165, SCR177, SCR178, SCR179, SCR41, SCR78, SCR90, SCR130, SCR159, SCR162, SCR173, SB2024, SB2075, SB2730, HB2581, SB2050, SB2471, SB2466, HB1163, HB1514, SB3082, SB2135, SB2727, SB3097, HB1696, HB2021, SR20, SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management