Transcript Highlights:

• It is a temporary fix, but I hope you will join me and the 103 of our colleagues in the other body who
• It is a temporary fix, but I hope you will join me and the 103 of our colleagues in the other body who
• It is a temporary fix, but I hope you will join me and the 103 of our colleagues in the other body who
• pervasive structural issue with how we're<00:33:46.679> managing<00:33:47.080> the<00:
• We have a structural problem with how this agency is run.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that's because in January of 2024, we reallocated our resources internally and implemented some temporary
• We reallocated our resources internally and implemented some temporary operational changes that Chief
• ." >> Well, I can tell you that's not a realistic possibility under the current structure, simply because
• And then finally, of course, many organized crime enterprises structure the ownership of property so
• <00:29:49.200> the crime enterprises structure the crime enterprises structure the ownership

Bills: SB2444, SB2446, SB2450, SB2453, SB2461, SB2457, SB2462, SB2313, SB2528, SB2532, SB2571, SB2678, SB2529

Keywords: real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm just curious about the context that gives rise to this bill, because the structural situation
• specific conflicts or specific examples you can provide as to why it's now necessary to change the structure
• specific conflicts or specific examples you can provide as to why it's now necessary to change the structure
• want to use the same construction for other sections so that it's in conformance with the sentence structure
• Centers that provide sight and sound separation between minors and adults in temporary secure custody

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know in one of the amendments we talk about temporary hiring or let me get the correct wording so I
• and then moving forward again what is that trigger I know in one of the amendments we talk about temporary
• There's no structure to that to say, okay, I'm going to hire temporary while I wait that's going to make
• Allowing families a way to uphold their family structure... ...isn't adequate.
• Allowing families a way to uphold their family structure while still providing for their family would

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 and approved the minutes from the prior week before taking up a series of House bills, many of them with testimony from sponsors, agency officials, and stakeholders. Early action included HB 971, which would direct LDH to equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent rural health clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; the sponsor described a significant payment disparity and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also deferred HB 1030 and HB 796 until the following week before moving to other items on the agenda. Several bills dealing with Medicaid and provider regulation were advanced. HB 414, as amended, closes a loophole so health care providers cannot hire unlicensed workers with certain serious out-of-state convictions; amendments addressed effective dates, FBI background-check issues for therapeutic group homes, and delays for direct support professional applicants caused by minor record issues. HB 740, as amended, creates an independent review process for Medicaid claims disputes in the coordinated system of care for behavioral health providers, with amendments clarifying applicability dates and program definitions. HB 786, which prohibits extrapolation in managed care claims recoupments and requires recovery to be based on actual overpayments or underpayments, was also reported favorably. HB 915 set timelines and accountability standards for prior authorization and utilization management in Medicaid managed care and was reported favorably after testimony about delays in care. The committee also heard and passed several bills affecting health professions and facilities. HB 405 simply updates the name of the national acupuncture certification body. HB 1095 allows nursing homes to use alternative power sources while keeping existing generator and fuel requirements. HB 557 defines long-term care pharmacies for policy purposes. HB 779 authorizes expedited partner therapy prescriptions for certain sexually transmitted diseases. HB 933 creates an optional commemorative birth certificate, with part of the fee going to the Office of Women’s Health. HB 796, carried by another representative for the author, establishes a chiropractic preceptorship program with on-site supervision requirements and was reported favorably after questions about student training and patient safety. The committee also heard emotionally charged testimony on HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation and patient communication. Several witnesses described the distress caused by current coding language, and supporters said the change would make records more compassionate and understandable; the bill was reported favorably. HB 403 increased the cottage food gross-sales cap, and after testimony from small producers and the committee’s discussion of other states’ higher limits, an amendment raised the cap to $150,000 before the bill was reported favorably. HB 930 modernizes cosmetic-product regulation and creates a small home-based producer exemption under a wholesale-sales threshold; it was also reported favorably. Finally, HB 1041, a no-mandate bill restricting discrimination based on medical intervention status, prompted extended debate over exemptions for schools, hospitals, and other entities, with one amendment failing on a roll-call vote and the discussion continuing over the scope of the bill and federal funding concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are much more than just structures; they're the environments where innovation happens, where knowledge
• c><00:01:39.320> they're<00:01:39.600> the<00:01:39.759> environments just structures
• they're the environments just structures they're the environments where<00:01:40.759> Innovation<
• on the up that temporary fence on the Washington<00:13:02.480> Bridge<00:13:03.279> um
• We had to overcome a little bit of a kerfuffle trying to get those temporary barriers up, but we got

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For a long time, we've had and felt and heard a lot of concerns about the structure of the Met Council
• <00:02:07.520> of<00:02:07.640> the<00:02:07.719> M concerns about the structure
• of the M concerns about the structure of the M Council<00:02:08.440> both<00:02:08.720> from
• <00:12:25.800> which council of governance uh structure which council of governance uh structure
• <00:13:52.639> probably you know through that structure probably you know through that structure

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 149 would provide counties with the flexibility needed during the temporary absence of a
• Fiscal courts will now be able to appoint a temporary treasurer for up to 60 days, thus allowing adequate
• now be able to Fiscal courts will now be able to appoint<01:21:03.600> a<01:21:03.840> temporary
• treasurer for up to appoint a temporary treasurer for up to 60<01:21:05.760> days,<01:21:06.640
• <01:21:29.199> for<01:21:29.440> county appointment structure for county appointment

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• risk uh which looks at the structural risk uh which looks at the sub-<00:18:54.799> sector<00
• <00:26:42.240> But temporary resources and attention.
• But temporary resources and attention.
• We don't want those to, you know, hopefully it's a temporary period, and we don't want to lose that,
• We have about 300 permanent FTEs and temporary FTEs in about nine offices across the state.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services held an informational briefing on the impacts of federal funding cuts, inflation, labor shortages, and chronic underfunding on Hawaii’s nonprofit social safety net. Hawaii Community Foundation opened with a story about a federal worker family relying on food pantry support, then described a “perfect storm” facing human services nonprofits: historically high demand, rising costs, staffing challenges, federal cuts, and state and county contracts that do not cover true service costs. The foundation said it has reactivated its Hawaii Resilience Fund, launched strengthened service grants, and is tracking policy changes and data to help nonprofits respond. Trey Gordner of UHERO presented research on the vulnerability of Hawaii’s nonprofit sector, explaining a framework that assessed political, financial, and structural risk. He said about 8,200 501(c)(3) nonprofits are active in Hawaii, but only about 200 receive direct federal funds; 74 grants to 59 organizations were flagged as politically at risk, totaling about $126 million in unpaid obligations. He said about 68 of the direct-funding recipients rely on federal funds for more than 20% of annual revenue, and that human services nonprofits are among the most exposed subsectors because they serve vulnerable populations and depend heavily on federal support. Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Hawaii True Cost Coalition said community-based organizations were already under strain before the current crisis, with most contracts not covering full costs and many groups depending on private philanthropy to fill gaps. They reported that half of surveyed organizations expect to reduce programs, more than a third may decline future contracts, and some are waiting months for reimbursements. Examples included reduced shelter admissions, fewer case management hours, and cutbacks in kūpuna services. The coalition urged higher contract rates, regular inflation and cost-of-living reviews, and timely reimbursement; no votes or formal actions were taken. Partners in Development Foundation described the loss of Native Hawaiian education funding as especially damaging, saying the federal Department of Education has zeroed out support that creates a roughly $46 million gap, including about $20 million for early childhood programs. The speaker shared a family story from the Nā Pono program to illustrate how early learning services support both children and parents, and warned that the organization’s federal funds make up 72% of its budget. The briefing ended with a call for continued emergency funding and longer-term structural changes to sustain nonprofits statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• It shortens the period of time for TTD, or temporary total disability.
• as it relates to the, now it's ceasing the temporary total disability at maximum medical improvement.
• So by limiting the amount of temporary total disability benefits, it's very arbitrary.
• It says termination of temporary total disability benefits, as provided for in this paragraph, shall
• What this bill does is replace stagnation with structure, replace outdated rules with modern science,

Bills: HB282, HB293, HB390, HB456, HB460, HB561, HB819, HB1023, HB1047, HB1101

Keywords: employment discrimination, criminal history, rehabilitation, hiring process, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, workplace equality, labor rights, domestic abuse, unpaid leave, employee rights, workplace protection, mental health, survivor support, workers' compensation, employment benefits, claims process, fraud prevention, legal petition

Transcript Highlights:

• Etc to inform the building structures Etc to inform the the<00:55:51.799> historic<00:55:52.200
• relief to any uh established temporary relief to any uh established permitting<01:14:46.600> program
• safety buoys and parking temporary safety buoys and parking advisories<01:42:28.760> DNR<01:42
• object District area building structure object District area site<02:50:18.399> to<02:50:18.800
• I want to ensure that this is a temporary thing. I want to include a sunset date that's two years.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 946 on wastewater management, which would clarify that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters after 12/31/26 applies to treatment plants. Testimony was in support from the Department of Health, Maui County Council, Mayor Bisson, and individuals, and no one testified in opposition. SB 849 on wildlife conservation would prohibit intentional taking, harming, or killing of the Hawaiian hawk (ʻio) and increase penalties for taking native aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants; DLNR supported the bill, noting the ʻio was delisted federally in 2020 and that the measure also updates penalties and adds a rehabilitation/community service option. No questions were raised, and the bill drew support testimony only. For SB 330 on invasive species prevention, the Attorney General raised a supremacy clause concern with language requiring state enforcement of federal quarantines and recommended reverting to a prior version with a catchall for federal regulation. The Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species supported the bill as a way to close a biosecurity gap, while the Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent but wanted to avoid acting without a cooperative agreement with USDA and suggested deleting the portion allowing action without such an agreement. The committee also heard SB 1393 on public land use, which would require the School Facilities Authority to consult with DOE and other agencies before land conveyances or leases and repeal a requirement that DOE transfer title upon request; both SFA and DOE supported the measure, with DOE emphasizing the need for early communication and consultation, and members asked about possible disagreements or stalemates. The committee then heard SB 321 on private roads and ways, which would deem certain privately owned roads and similar ways transferred to adjacent owners or community associations if conditions are met. The Hawaii Land Title Association said the bill as drafted would create uncertainty and proposed a court process to clarify ownership and create a recordable order; written support came from the Mortgage Bankers Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Financial Services Association, and one individual. SB 66 on housing permitting would require permit decisions within 60 days for certain housing projects and deem permits approved in some circumstances; DLNR’s historic preservation office supported the intent but noted county historic preservation roles, OHA suggested amendments to clarify county duties, and DPP opposed the time limits as risky for health and safety reviews, warning about back-and-forth review cycles and possible mismatches between approved plans and field work. Realtors, NAIOP, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii YIMBY, and the Maui Chamber supported the measure, while Lahaina Strong, Hawaii Good Neighbor, and two individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170 on expeditious redevelopment of affordable rental housing, which would speed permits for rebuilding permanently affordable multifamily rental housing damaged by natural disasters and exempt certain projects from EIS requirements. HHFDC supported the bill, citing the Front Street Apartments rebuild and the long SMA permit timeline on Maui, and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the intent while suggesting technical placement of amendments. Testimony in support also came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and Joe Blanco, who described difficulties rebuilding a project originally developed under older statutory requirements and said the bill’s added language addressed those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• But going to the presentation itself, if we can flip to page two again, you know how We're structured
• the largest regionally focused venture capital program in the country, and we made significant structural
• Those really long-term focused growth-focused funds are able to handle temporary downturns in the way
• Madam Chair and Representative, we have internal essentially Asset structure modeling that dives into
• One would provide 13th check payments so a temporary 2% payment to our retirees.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, the contribution rates, the benefit structure, and the COLA structure are all legislative
• In addition to just looking at the performance results, we also look at their management structure.
• Their incentive structure. We look at terms and fees.
• Jobs that are very welcome for the construction industry, but are also temporary by nature.
• I really appreciate that you have a structured policy of how you invest in venture capital.

Transcript Highlights:

• This uneven structure means that a majority of the board can change at once, disrupting continuity and
• HB 2273 establishes a process for the temporary appointment of a county judge in Galveston in case the
• This process is not new, as the law currently allows temporary judges in counties with a population over
• building codes, the structure may be considered uninsurable and ineligible for coverage under TWIA.
• Many Galveston structures are historic and require another level of review in order to meet historic

Bills: SB2784, HB23, HB247, HB1533, HB2011, HB2013, HB2273, HB2421, HB2464, HB3120, HB3424, HB3575, HB3788, HB4370, HB4809, HB5057, HB5084, HB5534, HB5668, HJR34

Keywords: Somervell County, hospital district, board of directors, elections, local governance, staggered terms, third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure

Summary: The committee heard and left pending several local government, property tax, development, and public safety measures before later voting some of them out. Senator Birdwell explained SB 2784 for the Somerville County Hospital District, which would move the board to staggered four-year terms after a transition and was requested to be held pending until the House companion could be acted on; no public testimony was offered. HB 5084 would allow local approval for fireworks sales tied to Lunar New Year celebrations, with testimony from Hutchinson County Judge Cindy Irwin emphasizing local fire risk and the need for county discretion. HB 5534 would let county commissioners post agendas electronically instead of on a physical bulletin board. HB 4370 would expand permissible projects for certain special districts to include geothermal water conveyance systems, and HB 312 would require residential child detention facilities to enter local MOUs, report health and safety information, and conduct background checks for state-funded facilities; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. HB 5057 would give displaced solid waste providers time to wind down after a city grants an exclusive franchise, and HB 2421 would extend the life of the Save Historic Muni District to continue work on preserving Lions Municipal Golf Course; both were left pending after supportive testimony. HB 2011 would let former owners repurchase property taken by eminent domain if the acquiring entity fails to pay property taxes for two years, and the committee substitute to SB 3065 was also laid out and left pending after a technical correction to eminent-domain language. The committee then took up additional bills on development, appraisal, and local regulation, including HB 3575, HB 4809, HB 2273, HB 247/HJR 34, HB 2464, HB 3424, HB 2013, HB 5668, HB 3788, HB 1533, and HB 23, with testimony ranging from support to opposition on issues such as appraisal procedures, historic property valuation, Galveston emergency governance, border-security tax treatment, home-based businesses, chicken covenants in HOAs, municipal utility district authority, hospital authorities’ use of assets, and third-party building review. HB 23 drew the most extensive testimony, with builders, engineers, counties, and cities split over third-party plan review and inspection authority, liability, licensing, and local code enforcement; many witnesses said the House amendments created problems and the bill was left pending. In the end, the committee voted SB 2784, SB 3065, HB 5686, HB 247, HJR 34, and HB 2011 out of committee, with the first several receiving local and uncontested calendar recommendations where applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those proactive measures minimize structural damage during the floods.
• Thanks to Comfort ISD, we opened a temporary shelter on campus.
• I asked him, do you have a full ICS, incident command system structure, up and running?
• Many lost fencing and structures that cannot be replaced by. any insurance or FEMA.
• They helped us before that, but to become the incident command structure.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• guardianship if you were in a hospital um<00:10:01.839> and<00:10:02.160> a<00:10:02.480> temporary
• <00:10:02.959> guardianship<00:10:03.680> is<00:10:04.560> um um and a temporary
• guardianship is um um and a temporary guardianship is um awarded<00:10:05.600> because<00:10:
• We have the same structure.
• We have the same<00:32:04.799> structure. same structure. same structure.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And they don't even win a case; they don't get a temporary restraining order.
• They would annex property and zone it temporary R1, with no hearings, no public notice, nothing.
• having the Board of Managers serve staggered four-year terms, aligning the district's governance structure

Bills: HB148, HB334, HB554, HB762, HB1520, HB1593, HB3526, HB3810, HB5092, SB2215, HB2607, HB148

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales

Transcript Highlights:

• are questions, and then the other alternative is to keep the existing rules in place, the existing structure
• It's untested and it's called the Projected Surplus Temporary Holding Account and while it hasn't been
• And if you had your, if at the time you had this untested projected surplus temporary holding account

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was the mastermind behind Senate Bill 8, and he got a temporary pass from the US Supreme Court, the
• out to set our country up for success, to guard against despotism, to guard against a tyranny of a temporary
• You can win, you can lose, but don't tear down the structures that we all rely upon.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 33648 is good for the employees and will give them a structured voice in order to address the sheriff
• We are only asking for a structured mechanism for employees in the county to come together, and this
• Currently, Texas law provides two distinct structures for county procurement.
• Before adopting this new procurement structure, counties would be required to hold a public hearing,
• Uh, again, uh, counties such as Dallas and Denton have already adopted a similar structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are only asking for a structured mechanism for employees in the county to come together, and this
• Currently, Texas law provides two distinct structures for county. procurement.
• Under this structure, the Agent would be appointed by and directly accountable to the Commissioner's
• The counties with flexibility to choose the governance structure best suited to their needs.
• Again, counties such as Dallas and Denton have already adopted a similar structure.

Bills: HB1597, HB2364, HB2437, HB3205, HB3253, HB3310, HB3648, HB3906, HB4259, HB5645

Keywords: county jailer, jail training, veterans, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, TCOLE, criminal justice system, county jail, law enforcement training, mental health training, jail standards, correctional officers, veteran services, veteran interaction, occupations code, jailer licensing, parking, county courthouse, infrastructure, local government