Transcript Highlights:

• be<00:40:42.960> moving<00:40:43.200> on<00:40:43.359> to<00:40:43.680> HB1
• Seeing none, we'll be moving on to HB1 Seeing none, we'll be moving on to HB1 1791<00:40:44.960>

Bills: SB2119, SB3131, SB3069, SB3180, SB2137, SB2993, SB2778, SB2672, SB2014, SB2967

Keywords: reimbursement, public employees, travel costs, government travel policy, finance management, job title, administrative assistant, executive assistant, state personnel, civil service, modernization, employment standards, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, comptroller, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, public works special project branch, specialized public works, information technology modernization

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:12:54.159> That's<02:12:54.320> HB1 believe we have agreement.
• That's HB1 believe we have agreement. That's HB1 1482.<02:12:55.760> Yeah.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB1<00:03:50.400> 1467<00:03:51.440> is<00:03:51.599> a<00:03:51.760> bipartisan
• /c> on civics's law passed several years on civics's law passed several years ago.<00:06:16.960> HB1
• HB1 1467 is a modest practical step ago.
• HB1 1467 is a modest practical step without<00:06:21.199> any<00:06:21.520> significant
• oppose HB1 1792, the Charlie Act. oppose HB1 1792, the Charlie Act. >> Okay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• safety, and public accountability measures that are included in this bill, and I hope you'll support HB1
• <04:20:00.159> With<04:20:00.399> that,<04:20:00.640> I'm sub uh support HB1
• With that, I'm sub uh support HB1 1777.
• 04:36:32.160> Safety<04:36:32.719> believes<04:36:32.959> that<04:36:33.199> HB1
• Department of Safety believes that HB1 Department of Safety believes that HB1 1777<04:36:34.799>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:02.400> here's<00:22:02.640> what<00:22:03.039> uh<00:22:03.120> HB1
• Um, here's what uh HB1 1225 everybody.
• Um, here's what uh HB1 1225 does.<00:22:05.919> It<00:22:06.240> said<00:22:06.480>
• <01:59:12.000> 1793, the prime sponsor of HB1 1793, the prime sponsor of HB1 1793, the<01:
• in just one year, and I know that HB1 in just one year, and I know that HB1 1834<06:22:37.760>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:06:38.520> and all of our children proposals in hb1 and all of our children proposals
• in hb1 and hb2<01:06:39.559> threaten<01:06:40.359> the<01:06:40.520> well-being
• <01:08:17.159> and harmful proposals in hb1 and harmful proposals in hb1 and hb2<01:08:18.839
• and two present significant country hb1 and two present significant opportuni<01:21:30.960> to
• because they didn't approve oppose hb1 because they didn't approve the<01:34:31.280> 15<01:34

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• under that accounting unit for 1051 hb1 under that accounting unit for 1051 which<00:44:03.280> is
• and then they also show up it 156 of hb1 and then they also show up it also<00:44:11.559> shows
• remove it preferably probably from hb1 remove it preferably probably from hb1 this<00:44:20.040>
• <01:19:32.760> in<01:19:32.960> safety's already show up in hb1 in safety's already
• show up in hb1 in safety's budget<01:19:34.120> okay<01:19:34.280> good<01:19:34.760><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 retirement provisions, focusing on Group Two/Tier B changes in pages 25-39. Jan Goodwin of the New Hampshire Retirement System and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions, but it restores certain pre-2011 benefit rules for Tier B members, including changes to average final compensation and earnable compensation, and it also addresses the annuity multiplier for years of service. Members discussed the tier structure, with Tier A referring to vested members, Tier B to those hired before 11/1/12 who were not vested, and Tier C to later hires. Several members expressed concern that the bill’s purpose was to restore Tier B benefits, not to change Tier A rules or create broader changes affecting newer hires. The retirement system flagged two likely drafting problems. First, it said a provision appears to omit a special-duty/earnable-compensation limitation in the Group Two section, which they believed was a scrivener’s error caused by moving language out of the Group One definition without adding it back for Group Two. Second, they noted the bill’s multiplier language overlaps with changes already enacted in HB 1647, which increased the multiplier for service beyond 15 years for Group Two and carried an estimated $26 million cost. The committee discussed that HB 1647 was originally broader in the House, but the Senate narrowed it to Tier B only. The actuary’s comparison of the 2023 and 2025 HB 2 versions showed the bills are close, but the 2025 version differs in funding and timing. Staff said the 2025 bill appropriates $2.5 million more per year for 10 years, and that, together with updated actuarial assumptions and a larger share of the affected tier having already retired or otherwise left service, results in a larger reduction in unfunded liability than the 2023 bill: about $98.2 million versus $68.5 million. Employer contribution impacts were described as small overall, though the 2025 bill was said to be somewhat more favorable than the 2023 version. Members also questioned why House Bill 1 only funds $5 million in the first year, and staff said that was tied to the governor’s revenue estimate and that the full funding does not begin immediately. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received testimony, asked clarifying questions, and noted that some issues would be addressed in the fiscal note worksheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:22:15.840> my<03:22:16.160> support<03:22:16.399> for<03:22:16.640> HB1
• <03:22:17.359> 1719 want to express my support for HB1 1719 want to express my support for
• So I am going to close the HB1 1719 FN.
• I'm going to close the hearing for HB 1784 FN and move on to HB 1798 FN. and move on to HB1 1798 FN.
• and move on to HB1 1798 FN.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If not<01:20:25.679> for<01:20:25.920> HB1<01:20:26.400> 1711,<01:20:27.040>
• chair's<01:20:27.440> recommendation not for HB1 1711, chair's recommendation not for HB1
• removing<01:21:10.880> section<01:21:11.199> one<01:21:11.440> of<01:21:11.679> HB1
• <01:21:12.239> 1727<01:21:13.040> and removing section one of HB1 1727 and removing
• section one of HB1 1727 and adding<01:21:13.679> section<01:21:14.080> 1's<01:21:14.560

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness. A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along. The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• no on<00:40:52.640> page<00:40:53.040> six<00:40:54.480> 938<00:40:55.920> HB1
• <00:40:56.720> 1891 on page six 938 HB1 1891 on page six 938 HB1 1891 House<00:40:58.800><
• > 9,<00:41:29.760> STR<00:41:30.480> 953, On page 9, STR 953, On page 9, STR 953, HB1
• <00:41:33.200> 1779, HB1 1779, HB1 1779, HD1,<00:41:36.400> Representatives<00:41:37.119

Bills: HB2117, HB2155, HB1832, HB1601, HB2297, HB2397, HB1893, HB2533, HB1890, HB2004, HB1810, HB2323, HB1691, HB1671, HB2619, HB1481, HB2314, HB2319, HB2214, HB2488, HB2009, HB2007, HB1964, HB2218, HB1535, HB1977, HB2054, HB2046, HB146, HB2094, HB2181, HB2515, HB2444, HB2385, HB1724, HB1733, HB2416, HB2001, HB1603, HB1753, HB2140, HB1962, HB1963, HB2096, HB1959, HB1960, HB2293, HB2288, HB1752, HB1573, HB469, HB2091, HB1851, HB1688, HB1696, HB2417, HB2375, HB2333, HB2152, HB1881, HB2395, HB1721, HB1921, HB1730, HB1697, HB1824, HB2282, HB2078, HB2321, HB2279, HB1522, HB2097, HB2433, HB2106, HB2274, HB2452, HB1764, HB2438, HB1860, HB2604, HB2118, HB2017, HB2216, HB1934, HB2454, HB2427, HB2207, HB1840, HB1644, HB1645, HB1946, HB1648, HB2324, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB2164, HB2165, HB2283, HB2386

Keywords: arts education, data mapping, task force, creative economy, cultural preservation, workforce development, geographic information systems, agriculture, data collection, statistical program, sustainable practices, Hawaii, aquaculture, biosecurity, food security, sustainable seafood, regulatory framework, interagency coordination, environmental stewardship, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:29:02.639> I<01:29:02.880> support<01:29:03.280> HB1<01:29:03.840> 1717
• I support HB1 1717. health and safety. I support HB1 1717.
• urge<01:30:14.800> you<01:30:14.960> to<01:30:15.120> pass<01:30:15.440> HB1
• So I urge you to pass HB1 can arrive.
• So I urge you to pass HB1 1717<01:30:17.040> for<01:30:17.360> clarity<01:30:18.480>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:14:29.040> the<01:14:29.199> next<01:14:29.480> measure<01:14:30.320> hb1
• <01:14:31.199> 1291 to move on to the next measure hb1 1291 to move on to the next measure
• hb1 1291 relating<01:14:32.600> to<01:14:33.600> agriculture<01:14:34.600> extends<
• /c><01:40:07.320> chair<01:40:08.119> voting<01:40:08.400> on<01:40:08.599> hb1
• vote thank you chair voting on hb1 vote thank you chair voting on hb1 1291<01:40:11.119> chair

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So,<00:52:32.559> you'll<00:52:32.880> need<00:52:33.119> a<00:52:33.359> HB1
• <00:52:33.920> amendment<00:52:34.240> to So, you'll need a HB1 amendment to So, you'll
• need a HB1 amendment to adjust<00:52:34.720> the<00:52:34.880> pearl<00:52:35.119>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas<00:11:49.600> HB1<00:11:50.240> 173093 Whereas HB1 173093 Whereas HB1 173093 would
• This bill, HB1 1793, restores the armed.
• on HB1 1793. on HB1 1793.
• myself today to testify in favor of HB1 myself today to testify in favor of HB1 1793. 1793. 1793
• You HB1 1793 inexpedient to legislate.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > I<00:09:53.680> am<00:09:53.920> going<00:09:54.160> to bill uh which is HB1
• I am going to bill uh which is HB1 1431.
• <00:10:35.760> 1431, open our hearing for HB1 1431, open our hearing for HB1 1431, which<00
• My name is Nissa support of HB1 1431.
• >> HB1 1431. >> HB1 1431.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as<01:44:58.800> a<01:44:58.960> sponsor<01:44:59.280> of<01:44:59.520> HB1
• <01:45:01.600> For<01:45:01.840> the today as a sponsor of HB1 1763.
• For the today as a sponsor of HB1 1763.
• the committee to support HB1 1763. the committee to support HB1 1763.
• <01:50:04.560> 1763 today to ask that you find HB1 1763 today to ask that you find HB1 1763

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the entire appropriation in HB1, proposed appropriation for. TEA.
• I'm just trying to figure out how much in HB1 of the subset that representative Howard alluded to, you
• All right, HB1, I guess it's just compression. How much of this is new?
• Those legacy payments are projected to save $8.5 billion for the state. in the HB1 is filed.

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:31:42.080> Um and comment in support of HB1 1384.
• Um and comment in support of HB1 1384.
• Uh so we support HB1 small business.
• That's the last card I have for<04:20:12.718> HB1<04:20:13.360> 1436.
• Is there anyone else that for HB1 1436.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At 8 AM, in room E1012: HB1, HB3, HB27. Mr. President and members, if there are no questions.

Bills: SB 2, SB 3, SB 10, SB 16, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 19, SB 54, HB23, HB17, HB16, SB19, SB53, SB54, HB16, HB17, HB23, HB27, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB2, SB3, SB10, SB16, SB5

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:42:54.960> HB1<00:42:55.920> 1913<00:42:56.800> was<00:42:57.520> which<
• HB1 1913 was which establishes a agenda.
• HB1 1913 was which establishes a um um um veteran<00:43:02.160> services<00:43:02.720> mental

Bills: SB2421, SB2690, SB3103, SB3137, SB3164, SB3206, SB2933, SB3133, SB3315

Keywords: cannabis, marijuana, Hawaii Cannabis Law, legalization, decriminalization, adult use, hemp, taxation, social equity, public health, primary care, health insurance, health carrier, insurance commissioner, Med-QUEST, Medicaid managed care, provider reimbursement, downcoding, prior authorization, utilization review

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1864, which would require health insurance coverage for standard fertility preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatment, drew broad support from SHIPA, the Department of Health, HMSA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and others. Testifiers emphasized that fertility preservation is routine coverage on the mainland and important for patients facing infertility from cancer or other treatment; one patient described incurring more than $20,000 in costs. The Insurance Division flagged possible Affordable Care Act issues, a potential conflict in the bill’s language about using patient history to determine limits, and a mismatch with state medical-necessity standards. Committee discussion also focused on whether the bill should apply to all women of childbearing age rather than a narrower age-based category. HB 2305 would require nutrition and metabolic education as part of physicians’ continuing medical education. The Hawaii Medical Board opposed the measure, arguing that CME should remain flexible and tailored to each physician’s specialty and warning that topic-specific mandates can expand over time. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, saying it would help the state’s rural health transformation application and could improve federal funding prospects, though the exact impact was unclear. Members questioned whether nutrition is already covered in medical training and whether the requirement should be limited to primary care physicians; the board said Hawaii currently has no topic-specific CME mandates and that physicians can already choose relevant courses. The committee also heard strong support for HB 1597, which would establish an Alzheimer’s disease research center at the University of Hawaii. Supporters from the university, the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and others said the center could attract federal research dollars, expand clinical trials, and help address the state’s high Alzheimer’s-related health costs. HB 2159, which appropriates funds for health care workforce development, also received broad support from the University of Hawaii, health systems, and advocacy groups, with no opposition noted. Finally, HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices, drew support from the Department of Health, youth advocates, and public health groups citing youth addiction, environmental waste, and fire hazards; the department said a separate bill, HB 1573, would be more comprehensive and better defined for enforcement and penalties. The committee ended with HB 1913, creating a veteran services mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center, which was supported by veteran services officials and others who said veterans need better navigation and coordination for behavioral health care.