Transcript Highlights:

• and<00:49:40.280><c> consolidate</c><00:49:41.000><c> where</c><00:49:41.480><c> possible</c><00:49:
• :42.480><c> move</c><00:49:42.839><c> to</c><00:49:43.000><c> a</c><00:49:43.160><c> sales</c><00:49:
• ><c> do</c><00:49:50.319><c> all</c><00:49:50.520><c> of</c><00:49:50.760><c> that</c><00:49:51.000><
• c> ex</c><00:49:53.559><c> uh</c><00:49:53.680><c> to</c><00:49:53.920><c> slide</c><00:49:54.280><c>
• :49:33.080><c> what</c><03:49:33.239><c> we</c><03:49:33.399><c> do</c><03:49:34.279><c> the</c><03:49

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division III work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services budget. Department staff said Public Health has a relatively small budget compared with other DHHS divisions, is supported mostly by federal and other non-General funds, and contains nearly 100 accounting units and more than 50 federal grants. They emphasized that the governor’s budget did not include significant cuts, but that federal funding uncertainty and the winding down of pandemic-era resources were major factors affecting the division. The division also explained that some apparent budget growth reflects reorganizations, including moving the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and some programs from other DHHS divisions into Public Health. The presentation described Public Health’s mission as serving the entire state through food and water safety, disease surveillance, emergency response, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, WIC, community health center support, and public health data collection. Members asked about bird flu, and staff explained that human-health response would involve Public Health’s lab, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness units, while animal-health issues are handled with the Department of Agriculture; they also noted ongoing milk testing requested by FDA and USDA. The division said its organizational structure includes bureaus for Family Health and Nutrition, Infectious Disease Control, Public Health Protection, Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Wellness, Statistics and Informatics, and Public Health Laboratories, with about a 15% vacancy rate. Committee members questioned whether the division’s budget and staffing had really grown since pre-COVID, and staff responded that full-time authorized staffing is about the same as in 2018, with the increase largely due to federal pandemic funding that has since receded and to program transfers between divisions. They said Public Health’s General Fund share is about $24 million out of roughly $1.1 billion in DHHS General Fund spending, or about 2.2% of the department total. Members also asked about the 3,000-position cap and unfunded positions; staff explained that the cap remains in chapter law through June 30, 2025, that 394 positions were unfunded in the governor’s budget, and that the division expects flexibility to move money from personnel lines and fill unfunded positions to manage changing needs. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:49:12.120><c> professionals</c><02:49:12.760><c> at</c><02:49:12.880><c> the</c><02:49:13.120
• lived experience<02:49:25.520><c> of</c><02:49:25.760><c> being</c><02:49:26.160><c> deaf</c><02:49:
• public<02:49:45.880><c> schools</c><02:49:46.399><c> into</c><02:49:46.720><c> our</c><02:49:47.160><
• </c><02:49:49.600><c> their</c><02:49:49.840><c> best</c><02:49:50.040><c> sales</c><02:49:50.760><c>
• 49:53.760><c> the</c><02:49:53.920><c> services</c><02:49:54.760><c> of</c><02:49:54.920><c> the</c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 702, which would change how extra or special duty pay for retired police officers is treated for retirement and work-limit purposes. Supporters argued the bill would let retirees work more special-duty hours, helping municipalities fill traffic-detail and similar assignments without added state cost, and said it would not prohibit retirees from working but would simply stop those hours from counting toward the return-to-work threshold. Opponents argued the change would be inconsistent with the retirement system’s 2011 reforms, could increase pension liabilities, and would treat the same compensation differently for active employees and retirees. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect current and future retirees, the role of municipalities, and whether the policy amounted to “policing for profit.” The subcommittee ultimately voted 3-2 to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 702, sending it to the full committee with that recommendation. The committee then discussed House Bill 581, which would create a Group Three retirement plan for new state employees hired after the bill’s effective date. The chair outlined a housekeeping amendment to delay implementation, moving the effective date to January 1, 2026, and noted a sponsor amendment addressing health insurance group inclusion and medical and surgical benefits so those benefits would not be put at risk for the new group. Testimony and discussion focused on the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, with supporters citing Michigan examples and arguing the bill would help recruit and retain employees while giving them more flexibility. Opponents said the change could weaken retirement security and increase unfunded liability, though supporters responded that the bill still requires employer contributions toward accrued liability and is intended to keep the state on track to pay off its unfunded liability by 2039. The transcript ends with continued discussion of the bill and no final vote shown on HB 581.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:49:28.480><c> Senator</c><00:49:28.880><c> Mavet</c><00:49:29.440><c> will</c><00:49:29.680><c>
• <00:49:35.440><c> for</c><00:49:35.599><c> the</c><00:49:35.839><c> repass</c><00:49:36.240><c> of</c
• <00:49:39.839><c> Senator</c><00:49:40.240><c> Zamora</c><00:49:40.800><c> Wilson,</c><00:49:42.160><
• of Colorado<01:49:03.199><c> agriculture</c><01:49:04.400><c> from</c><01:49:04.639><c> the</c><01:49
• </c><01:49:22.320><c> But</c><01:49:22.639><c> even</c><01:49:22.960><c> our</c><01:49:23.280><c> top

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:19.280><c> 10</c><00:49:19.520><c> of</c><00:49:19.760><c> the</c><00:49:19.920><c> calendar.
• </c><01:49:08.800><c> I</c><01:49:08.880><c> I</c><01:49:09.119><c> still</c><01:49:09.280><c> don't<
• ><c> it</c><01:49:11.040><c> and</c><01:49:11.199><c> then</c><01:49:11.360><c> now</c><01:49:11.520>
• :49:20.800><c> listened</c><01:49:21.119><c> to</c><01:49:21.280><c> the</c><01:49:21.440><c> voices<
• &gt;&gt; I've<01:49:30.719><c> had</c><01:49:30.880><c> no</c><01:49:31.119><c> one</c><01:49:31.280>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:49:19.199><c> of</c><01:49:19.520><c> dollars</c><01:49:20.320><c> just</c><01:49:20.639><c>
• Surely, each of you<01:49:47.679><c> can</c><01:49:47.840><c> see</c><01:49:48.080><c> how</c><01:49:
• It is why<01:49:57.600><c> I</c><01:49:58.000><c> introduced</c><01:49:58.719><c> the</c><01:49:59.040
• ><c> I</c><02:49:22.800><c> may</c><02:49:22.960><c> consume</c><02:49:23.359><c> in</c><02:49:23.520
• And<02:49:43.680><c> I</c><02:49:43.920><c> rise</c><02:49:44.160><c> in</c><02:49:44.479><c> strong<

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<00:49:05.880><c> and</c><00:49:06.080><c> I</c><00:49:06.359><c> wanted</c><00:49:06.680><c> to</c
• what<00:49:08.440><c> an</c><00:49:08.600><c> honor</c><00:49:08.880><c> it's</c><00:49:09.080><c> been
• </c><00:49:09.440><c> to</c><00:49:09.560><c> be</c><00:49:09.680><c> your</c><00:49:09.880><c> chair
• ><c> I</c><00:49:11.680><c> I</c><00:49:11.800><c> think</c><00:49:12.040><c> we've</c><00:49:12.200>
• Um last<00:49:16.520><c> year</c><00:49:16.720><c> in</c><00:49:16.840><c> this</c><00:49:17.320><c>

Bills: HCR18 , HCR32 , HCR35 , HCR105 , HCR173

Committee: House Health

Keywords: hospice, health care, aging population, regulations, Medicare, working group, fraud prevention, quality of care, mental health, recidivism, civil commitment, Hawaii State Hospital, justice system, shelter, treatment pathways, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, healthcare access, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 21 SD1, which asks Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to study the feasibility of a rural health clinic or similar access point for the Volcano community. Testimony in strong support came from HHSC representatives, Volcano residents, the Volcano Health Collaborative, the Rotary Club of Volcano, and others, who said the area has a clear need and that local primary and urgent care would align with regional plans. HHSC said it had already looked at the area, found no suitable temporary buildings, and would need a longer-term, capital-intensive solution, but that the study could help accelerate next steps. The committee then took up SCR 50 SD1, proposing a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic affordable health plan for residents. Dr. Jack Lewin of SHIPTA said the state faces a growing uninsured population and argued for a short-term, lower-cost plan focused on preventive and primary care, drawing on the old State Health Insurance Plan as a possible model. Members asked about whether that prior program still exists and whether the working group should include the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association; Dr. Lewin said the statute still exists but is unfunded, and that the group should be inclusive. The Department of Labor and other organizations also provided comments. For SCR 75 SD1, which urges a coordinated interdepartmental effort to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Dr. Lewin and others said prevention, prenatal screening, and early intervention are needed because FASD is often hidden until later problems appear. Amanda from Hawaii FASD Action Group said current implementation under Act 192 is still largely a landscape analysis and that Hawaii lacks the infrastructure and specialists for a full system. Darlene Chance Govor urged adding the judiciary as a partner so juvenile justice and probation staff can be trained and referral pathways improved, while the Department of Health said it supports prevention but prefers a broader, systems-based approach focused on child needs and upstream care. The Disability Rights Center supported the resolution and asked for an earlier reporting date. The committee also heard SCR 149 SD1, which seeks an informal working group to address complex patients with multiple diagnoses involving substance use, mental health, or chronic physical illness. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and Ke Nui Malo strongly supported the measure, saying current siloed systems leave people bouncing between medical, mental health, and substance use providers without coordinated care, often ending up in crisis, emergency rooms, or the justice system. They said integrated residential care and a coordinated working group could improve outcomes and align with federal funding opportunities. The transcript ended before any final vote or action on the measures was announced, and SCR 109 was noted as withdrawn from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The attorney<00:49:03.520><c> general</c><00:49:03.839><c> may</c><00:49:04.000><c> impose</c><00:49:
• impose a civil penalty<00:49:05.040><c> of</c><00:49:05.200><c> up</c><00:49:05.359><c> to</c><00:49:
• ><00:49:12.240><c> the</c><00:49:12.400><c> power</c><00:49:12.559><c> to</c><00:49:12.800><c> impose
• :49:15.680><c> per</c><00:49:15.920><c> violation</c><00:49:16.400><c> against</c><00:49:16.720><c> a
• </c><00:49:21.599><c> The</c><00:49:21.760><c> bill</c><00:49:22.000><c> extends</c><00:49:22.400><c>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His visit offers a<00:49:21.440><c> vital</c><00:49:22.000><c> opportunity</c><00:49:22.880><c> to</c
• Consul General<00:49:35.280><c> Grant</c><00:49:35.920><c> is</c><00:49:36.120><c> a</c><00:49:36.200
• > join</c><00:49:47.800><c> me</c><00:49:48.000><c> in</c><00:49:48.240><c> offer</c> Commonwealth.
• Please join me in offer offering<00:49:49.280><c> him</c><00:49:49.680><c> sincere</c><00:49:50.240><
• ><00:49:58.400><c> in</c><00:49:58.600><c> the</c><00:49:58.720><c> bluegrass</c><00:49:59.240><c> state

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 95 members present, excused absent members, and adopted a legislative citation honoring Dave Buzz Baker for his long career with WKYT and the UK Sports Network. The Senate clerk then reported several Senate bills passed by the Senate and requested concurrence. The House approved the journal and received committee reports advancing a wide range of bills on agriculture, banking and insurance, judiciary, licensing and regulations, education, and information technology, covering topics such as agricultural procurement, pesticide labeling, vehicle financial protection products, proxy advisory services, financial exploitation, status offenses, firearms liability protections, school administrator salaries, sick leave, school safety, and data privacy. The chamber then considered House Bill 468 on civil rights. The bill would update the Kentucky Civil Rights Act to align the definition of disability with the federal ADA, and it would remove the Kentucky Human Rights Commission’s adjudicative powers over employment and public accommodations disputes while preserving investigative functions. House Floor Amendment 1 was adopted; it removed language barring attorney’s fees, preserved local commissions’ investigative powers, authorized local commissions and private plaintiffs to file civil actions in circuit court, and extended the probable-cause determination period from 30 to 180 days. The bill, as amended, passed 72-22. House Bill 757, the session’s revenue bill, was then debated. Its sponsor described provisions including moratoriums on certain local school district taxes, Internal Revenue Code conformity, new taxes on data brokering, fantasy contests, and predictive markets, EV charging station inspection fees, elimination of some tax expenditures, Department of Revenue cleanup provisions, and process changes for inheritance tax, property tax delinquencies, and other measures. Members raised concerns that the bill would limit local school boards’ taxing options and could affect bonding and school construction; the sponsor said TIF-related provisions would sunset future participation, not existing projects, and that the bill had been developed with agency input. House Bill 757 passed 69-18. The House also passed House Bill 727, creating the Kentucky Education Placement Service System for teacher applicants and district job postings, by a vote of 94-0. The chamber then took up House Bill 776, a modernization of the Dental Practice Act, with changes to board authority, licensure renewal, hygienist and assistant rules, and telehealth standards; the sponsor noted an ownership-related issue and presented House Floor Amendment 1 for consideration, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that amendment and the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:49:21.480><c> the</c><00:49:21.680><c> preservation</c><00:49:22.480><c> of</c><00:49
• :24.160><c> um</c><00:49:24.559><c> part</c><00:49:24.720><c> of</c><00:49:24.920><c> this</c><00:49:
• <00:49:29.440><c> providing</c><00:49:29.880><c> a</c><00:49:30.079><c> narrative</c><00:49:30.559><c
• good</c><00:49:35.400><c> Steward</c><00:49:35.839><c> of</c><00:49:36.040><c> that</c><00:49:36.799
• it correctly<00:49:40.359><c> preserving</c><00:49:40.880><c> it</c><00:49:41.040><c> for</c><00:49:

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:49:14.920><c> in</c><00:49:15.359><c> sb501</c><00:49:16.359><c> and</c><00:49:16.520><c> HB</c><00
• overall<00:49:20.640><c> um</c><00:49:21.040><c> that</c><00:49:21.160><c> being</c><00:49:21.359><c
• amendment</c><00:49:23.720><c> that</c><00:49:24.240><c> um</c><00:49:24.599><c> if</c><00:49:24.920
• 49:29.440><c> in</c><00:49:29.680><c> costs</c><00:49:30.280><c> uh</c><00:49:30.359><c> to</c><00:49
• 49:34.119><c> um</c><00:49:34.520><c> be</c><00:49:34.920><c> okay</c><00:49:35.200><c> with</c><00:49

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused. The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments. Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:04.360><c> and</c><00:49:04.520><c> happens</c><00:49:04.880><c> to</c><00:49:04.960><c> live</c>
• </c><00:49:08.200><c> I</c><00:49:08.280><c> guess</c><00:49:08.480><c> they're</c><00:49:08.560><c>
• 00:49:09.920><c> at</c><00:49:10.080><c> a</c><00:49:10.160><c> time,</c><00:49:11.200><c> and</c><00
• supposed<00:49:11.720><c> to</c><00:49:11.840><c> start</c><00:49:12.280><c> next</c><00:49:12.800><
• </c><00:49:15.480><c> And</c><00:49:15.840><c> he's</c><00:49:16.360><c> He</c><00:49:16.640><c> and<

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 49:29.920><c> 1976</c><00:49:30.800><c> the</c><00:49:31.119><c> legislature</c> culture.
• Uh<00:49:39.599><c> the</c><00:49:39.839><c> intent</c><00:49:40.400><c> of</c><00:49:40.720><c> chapter
• </c><00:49:41.200><c> 6E</c><00:49:41.760><c> is</c><00:49:42.079><c> not</c><00:49:42.319><c> to</c>
• Next<00:49:47.920><c> slide</c><00:49:48.240><c> chair.
• </c> So<00:49:54.079><c> historic</c><00:49:54.640><c> properties</c><00:49:56.000><c> are</c><00:49:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Speed Task Force met on December 15, 2025, with members participating in person and via Zoom. After roll call and introductions, the chair filed the previous meeting minutes without objection. The chair then gave a report on outreach presentations statewide about the task force’s permitting-simplification work, noting appearances before groups such as the Chinese Chamber, Small Business Regulatory Review Board, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Chamber, and the Land Use Commission. He also introduced the new task force coordinator, Reginald K. T. King, and outlined a January 6, 2026 process for member-submitted recommendations, including first-come consideration and structured debate. No public testimony or member questions were offered on these items. The task force heard a presentation from the Building Permit PIG. The presenter said the group reviewed 79 SWAT recommendation forms over seven meetings, with participation from 15 disciplines and about 270 hours of work. The group’s findings emphasized workforce shortages, inconsistent plan quality, limited departmental resources, and a lack of centralized tools for applicants to self-resolve issues. Recommendations focused on building a workforce pipeline, expanding training on codes and technology, and developing a universal platform, including AI-assisted review tools. The presenter also raised offsite construction, including factory-built, modular, tiny homes, and ADUs, as an area needing clearer state and county alignment to speed permit review and support housing needs. No public testimony or Q&A followed, and discussion and voting were deferred to the January 6, 2026 meeting. The task force then began the Chapter 6E Historic Preservation PIG presentation. The chair described historic preservation as a broad process covering research, protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and interpretation of significant properties, including burial sites and iwi kūpuna, and said Chapter 6E is intended to guide responsible development rather than stop it. The presentation explained SHPD’s role and the complexity of 6E review, including archaeological surveys, monitoring, and preservation plans. Early findings highlighted uncertainty in sensitivity determinations for iwi kūpuna and subsurface resources, repeated review of the same projects, and staffing and technical capacity shortages among SHPD and consultants. Public testimony was closed and no immediate Q&A was allowed; further discussion and voting on recommendations were scheduled for January 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:49:03.480><c> students</c><00:49:04.480><c> of</c><00:49:04.640><c> like</c><00:49:04.960><c>
• ><c> read</c><00:49:05.920><c> through</c><00:49:06.079><c> the</c><00:49:06.319><c> 90</c><00:49:06.640
• :49:15.280><c> I</c><00:49:15.520><c> support</c><00:49:16.000><c> this</c><00:49:16.880><c> um</c><00
• <00:49:18.400><c> I</c><00:49:18.559><c> think</c><00:49:18.800><c> he</c><00:49:18.960><c> mentioned
• ><c> um</c><00:49:22.559><c> from</c><00:49:22.800><c> a</c><00:49:23.040><c> student</c><00:49:23.359

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 96, which encourages the University of Hawaiʻi to evaluate and expand student mental health services. University of Hawaiʻi Associate Vice President Farah Marie Gomes testified in support and noted the system’s mental health and basic-needs efforts across all 10 campuses. Members discussed staffing and funding constraints, including that the system had 27 adult mental health positions, 21 filled and six vacant, with one vacancy open for about four years. The resolution was adopted unanimously, unamended. The committee then took up several gubernatorial appointments. GM 785 nominated Wendo Hensel to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), and GM 784 nominated Terry George to the same body. Both nominees testified about the value of Hawaiʻi’s participation in WICHE; Hensel emphasized the importance of sharing policy ideas and best practices, while George highlighted Hawaiʻi’s unique higher education needs and the benefits of learning from other western states. Both nominations were supported and moved forward. The committee also considered multiple appointments to the Hawaiʻi Commission for National and Community Service. Kylie Alakard described wanting to serve as a youth voice and role model, and Ray Galas spoke about his prior volunteer board experience and desire to help people connect through service. Sandra Larson said volunteerism and community service were important to her and that she wanted to give back. The committee then heard GM 771 and GM 772 for Ken Kawahara to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi; Kawahara said he would bring business and government experience to help with internal operations, education, and strategic goals, though he acknowledged he was still learning the organization’s details. Members also began hearing GM 624 for Joshua Famuina to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, with student caucus testimony in strong support emphasizing his attendance, communication, and engagement with students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterinary<00:49:04.359><c> Medicine</c><00:49:04.880><c> Board</c><00:49:05.400><c> Sarah</c><00:49:
• Agency<00:49:12.640><c> Directors</c><00:49:13.160><c> for</c><00:49:13.320><c> Senate</c><00:49:13.680
• </c> Mr.<00:49:28.120><c> President,</c><00:49:28.520><c> I</c><00:49:28.600><c> move</c><00:49:28.840
• </c><00:49:33.040><c> vote</c><00:49:33.280><c> collectively</c><00:49:34.040><c> as</c><00:49:34.240
• </c><00:49:43.520><c> Does</c><00:49:43.720><c> any</c><00:49:43.920><c> member</c><00:49:44.320><c>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• city</c><00:49:16.040><c> and</c><00:49:16.280><c> that's</c><00:49:16.559><c> one</c><00:49:16.680>
• ><c> heard</c><00:49:19.760><c> from</c><00:49:19.920><c> the</c><00:49:20.119><c> homeowner</c><00:49
• :49:29.440><c> and</c><00:49:29.880><c> it's</c><00:49:30.240><c> caused</c><00:49:30.960><c> you</c>
• 49:34.359><c> which</c><00:49:34.599><c> is</c><00:49:35.240><c> been</c><00:49:36.240><c> difficult<
• in our<00:49:36.799><c> community</c><00:49:37.520><c> so</c><00:49:38.119><c> this</c><00:49:38.240

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• if I'm<00:49:03.160><c> catching</c><00:49:03.520><c> that</c><00:49:04.040><c> correctly</c><00:49:
• and</c><00:49:08.480><c> the</c><00:49:08.640><c> facts</c><00:49:08.920><c> that</c><00:49:09.040><c
• c> so</c><00:49:12.160><c> no</c><00:49:12.319><c> spending</c><00:49:12.760><c> Authority</c><00:49:
• </c><00:49:30.400><c> the</c><00:49:30.520><c> real</c><00:49:30.799><c> context</c><00:49:31.200><c>
• of it this<00:49:31.720><c> was</c><00:49:31.839><c> a</c><00:49:32.000><c> similar</c><00:49:32.400

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:29 Roll Call 00:00:40 HB 2 Discussion 00:02:55 HB 2 Vote 00:14:10 Kentucky Exposition Center Redevelopment Plan Discussion 00:17:22 HB 545 Discussion Only 00:39:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2, which would address the taxation of currency and bullion and was presented as a response to last session’s dispute over whether a line-item veto could be applied to a revenue measure. The sponsor said the bill, as amended by Committee Substitute 2, was largely technical but also made the tax exemption retroactive to August 1, 2024 while making the $1,000-per-day penalty prospective only. Members asked about fiscal impact, possible legal liability for executive branch officials, and whether the issue should instead be resolved by the courts. The sponsor argued the Constitution limits the governor’s line-item veto power to appropriations, not revenue bills, and said the bill would create a judicial remedy and refund process if the executive branch continued collecting the tax. The committee approved the committee substitute and then passed House Bill 2 by a vote of 19-1, with two members passing; the bill was reported favorably to the floor. During discussion, Representative Bojanowski voted no, saying he could not support removing taxes on gold bars while parents pay taxes on diapers. Representative Gentry passed, saying he supported the original intent but was not yet convinced and wanted more time to review the issue. The sponsor also clarified that any liability would be joint and several and could involve executive officials or their budgets if the tax collection continued despite the exemption. The committee then heard a discussion-only presentation on the Kentucky Exposition Center Redevelopment Plan Phase 2. Facility representatives described Phase 1 and the planned Phase 2 expansion, saying the center had record attendance and needed more space to remain competitive and meet client demand. They said Phase 1 was about 20% complete, with completion now expected in October 2026 and an opening target of December 31, 2026 after a short testing period. Phase 2 would follow, including demolition of the West Wing, utility work, and improvements to food service and circulation areas. They said the project would be funded without federal dollars and estimated that, once complete, it could generate about $683 million in annual economic impact, $302 million in state sales tax, and 850,000 room nights in Jefferson County.

Transcript Highlights:

• the power dynamics<00:49:07.480><c> that</c><00:49:07.680><c> has</c><00:49:08.280><c> have</c><00:49
• /c><00:49:12.440><c> to</c><00:49:12.599><c> oppose</c><00:49:12.960><c> this</c><00:49:13.119><c> Bill
• /c><00:49:24.319><c> a</c><00:49:24.440><c> quick</c><00:49:24.640><c> question</c><00:49:24.839><c>
• c><00:49:43.359><c> to</c><00:49:43.720><c> create</c><00:49:43.960><c> a</c><00:49:44.119><c> better
• do you mind if<00:49:55.760><c> I</c><00:49:55.880><c> call</c><00:49:56.040><c> up</c><00:49:56.240

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Labor and Technology, Transportation, and Culture and the Arts heard testimony on Senate Bill 396 and Senate Bill 47, then later the Labor and Technology committee took up Senate Bill 136 and Senate Bill 1523. SB 396 drew support from the Metropolitan Planning Organization and others, with a question raised about implementation costs; the director said costs would depend on the scope of the benefit package and the transportation mode involved. The committees recommended passing SB 396 with technical amendments and added appropriation language with a blank amount, and the motion was adopted by recorded votes in both committees. SB 47, which would designate the Lunar New Year as a state holiday, received support from the Office of Collective Bargaining and several individuals, including Charlene Chun, who spoke about family traditions and cultural recognition. Members asked about the cost and whether the day would be a paid day off for state employees; the response was that observance would be subject to collective bargaining. The committees moved SB 47 forward with amendments, noting the collective bargaining and cost issues, and adopted the recommendation by vote. In the Labor and Technology committee, SB 136 on the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund drew strong support from iron workers and related supporters, who argued the bill was about safety, training, and keeping dismantling work within the ironworkers’ trade. Several other unions, including operating engineers, carpenters, laborers, and plumbers and fitters, opposed the bill as too broad and potentially infringing on their jurisdiction. The measure was not decided in the portion provided, but members discussed possible amendments and jurisdictional concerns. SB 1523, which would expand private-sector collective bargaining rights under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and others under NLRB jurisdiction, received broad labor support, including from IATSE, AFL-CIO, Hawaii Nurses Association, Unite Here Local 5, and many individual testifiers. Supporters framed it as protecting workers’ rights and strengthening labor protections, while the Hawaii Labor Relations Board warned it could significantly increase workload and require more staffing, space, and operating resources; the board estimated the bill could expand its caseload substantially and suggested an appropriation would likely be needed. The committee then moved on to the next measure, SB 1440, before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the who had<01:49:13.880><c> gone</c><01:49:14.040><c> off</c><01:49:14.239><c> with</c><01:49:
• <c> we</c><01:49:18.320><c> also</c><01:49:18.520><c> heard</c><01:49:18.719><c> from</c><01:49:18.880
• ><c> long-term</c><01:49:21.960><c> impact</c><01:49:22.280><c> of</c><01:49:22.360><c> the</c><01:49
• their</c><01:49:37.520><c> Crews</c><01:49:37.880><c> knew</c><01:49:38.239><c> how</c><01:49:38.400>
• </c><01:49:44.159><c> was</c><01:49:44.320><c> to</c><01:49:44.520><c> find</c><01:49:44.760><c> any<

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:02.800><c> cuz</c><00:49:03.040><c> this</c><00:49:03.280><c> is</c><00:49:03.359><c> under</c> A
• 00:49:24.800><c> the</c><00:49:24.960><c> sec</c><00:49:25.280><c> of</c><00:49:25.440><c> the</c><00
• U<00:49:27.920><c> it</c><00:49:28.160><c> may</c><00:49:28.480><c> be</c><00:49:28.559><c> a</c><00:
• 49:28.640><c> little</c><00:49:28.800><c> broader</c><00:49:29.119><c> than</c><00:49:29.280><c> that
• It<00:49:30.160><c> it's</c><00:49:30.559><c> the</c><00:49:30.960><c> act</c><00:49:32.079><c> the</

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 5:15 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:11.440><c> to</c><00:49:12.000><c> recognize</c><00:49:12.520><c> that</c><00:49:12.760><c
• thought<00:49:15.559><c> into</c><00:49:15.839><c> these</c><00:49:16.359><c> bills</c><00:49:17.359
• opposition<00:49:18.599><c> to</c><00:49:18.799><c> what</c><00:49:18.960><c> I've</c><00:49:19.280><
• </c><00:49:22.720><c> and</c><00:49:23.720><c> to</c><00:49:24.480><c> reiterate</c><00:49:25.119><c>
• any</c><00:49:31.440><c> state</c><00:49:32.160><c> and</c><00:49:32.319><c> we</c><00:49:32.559><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 547 on water conservation, a deferred agenda item that had already been considered by the other joint committees and received no public testimony. The chair recommended adopting Department of Taxation and Department of Health amendments, passing the bill, and adding a defective date of July 1, 2050. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation; the vice chair voted yes, two senators were excused, and the recommendation was adopted. The main hearing focused on SB 1030, which would define election fraud intimidation to include carrying any firearm or weapon at or near a voter service center, place of deposit, or polling place. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill duplicated existing sensitive-places law, raised Second Amendment concerns, and could create confusion for lawful concealed carry holders using ballot drop boxes. A smaller number of supporters, including gun violence prevention advocates and labor representatives, argued the measure would improve voter safety. The committee heard more than 1,560 total testimonies for the hearing overall, and for SB 1030 staff noted over 10 in support and over 80 in opposition; no vote on SB 1030 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard SB 38, which would extend Hawaii’s ban on high-capacity magazines from pistols to any firearm with a detachable magazine over 10 rounds. Supporters, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Moms Demand Action, Everytown, Brady, and other gun violence prevention advocates, said the bill would close a loophole, improve consistency in the law, and reduce the harm caused by mass shootings. Opponents, including gun owners, veterans, and Second Amendment advocates, argued the bill would criminalize lawful owners, be difficult to enforce, and would not reduce crime. The committee reported receiving over 40 testimonies in support and over 400 in opposition. Finally, the committee began SB 401, which would add rifles capable of firing .50 caliber or higher ammunition to the list of prohibited weapons, excluding antiques and muzzle loaders. HPD and Everytown testified in support, describing the weapons as military-grade and dangerous, while Jerry Yuan and others opposed the bill, saying it was overbroad and would sweep in firearms and ammunition types that are not used in crime. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 401, before any committee action or vote on that measure.