Transcript Highlights:

• > to</c><00:49:07.359><c> legislate</c><00:49:08.000><c> on</c><00:49:08.319><c> House</c><00:49:08.640
• And<00:49:11.040><c> when</c><00:49:11.200><c> the</c><00:49:11.359><c> clerk</c><00:49:11.599><c> is
• </c> I'm<00:49:20.800><c> just</c><00:49:20.960><c> going</c><00:49:22.079><c> just</c><00:49:22.160>
• money</c><01:49:26.159><c> and</c><01:49:26.320><c> I</c><01:49:26.480><c> don't</c><01:49:26.639><c
• So, um I I<01:49:31.119><c> don't</c><01:49:31.840><c> understand</c><01:49:32.239><c> why</c><01:49:

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026, to act on a series of bills. Early in the meeting, members agreed that they could consult the online submission summaries rather than have changing submission counts read aloud. The committee then took up House Bill 1386, which would have allowed citizens in a municipality to vote to require a financial audit of a local school district. Members opposing the bill argued that school districts already have audit authority and reporting requirements under existing law, and that the proposal was unnecessary and potentially burdensome. The committee voted 17-0 to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee next considered House Bill 1181FN on public hearing notice requirements for zoning board of adjustment appeals. Members who opposed the bill said newspaper publication provides independent third-party verification and archival value, and that removing that requirement would weaken public notice. The committee voted 17-0 ITL and sent the bill to the consent calendar. It also voted 17-0 ITL on House Bill 1327, concerning the definition of commercially zoned land, largely because the sponsor was absent and members said they could not do due diligence without hearing from the sponsor. The committee then acted on House Bill 1473FN, concerning the use of agricultural fairground property, and House Bill 1147, concerning the use of capital reserve funds. In both cases, members cited the sponsor’s absence and the need for more information as reasons to recommend inexpedient to legislate; both votes were 17-0 and both bills were placed on the consent calendar. House Bill 1220, which would have allowed municipal governing bodies to review and approve school budgets, was also recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after members raised concerns about local control, legal conflicts between separate entities, and technical drafting problems. The committee recommended ought to pass on House Bill 118, which raises the amount of money municipal treasurers may hold before depositing it in the bank, with supporters saying the higher threshold would reduce unnecessary trips to the bank and improve efficiency. It also recommended ought to pass on House Bill 1151, a housekeeping bill correcting statutory references related to conservation commission appropriations, and it approved House Bill 1309 as amended after adopting Amendment 2026-0411H to clarify town meeting warrant language. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1385, prohibiting negative property tax rates in certain municipalities, and recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after testimony indicated the practice at issue had already ended and that a blanket prohibition could create problems for municipalities with excess revenues. The committee also began work on House Bill 1369, relating to posting warrants for special town meetings, and discussed an amendment to preserve newspaper notice while also allowing website posting where available.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:03.680><c> any</c><00:49:04.000><c> fees</c><00:49:04.319><c> or</c><00:49:04.559><c> charges<
• c><00:49:08.319><c> ticket</c><00:49:09.040><c> live</c><00:49:09.359><c> event</c><00:49:09.760><c>
• </c><00:49:12.000><c> Uh</c><00:49:12.400><c> first</c><00:49:12.720><c> up</c><00:49:13.280><c> we</
• > and</c><00:49:40.800><c> I</c><00:49:40.960><c> apologize</c><00:49:41.520><c> for</c><00:49:41.760
• ><00:49:44.720><c> through</c><00:49:44.960><c> them</c><00:49:45.359><c> so</c><00:49:45.599><c> you

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker,<02:49:01.840><c> I</c><02:49:02.000><c> rise</c><02:49:02.160><c> today</c><02:49:02.319><c>
• <02:49:03.279><c> to</c><02:49:03.439><c> this</c><02:49:03.600><c> rule,</c><02:49:04.319><c> which<
• Like so many<02:49:09.120><c> of</c><02:49:09.279><c> our</c><02:49:09.439><c> colleagues,</c><02:49:
• </c><02:49:11.520><c> to</c><02:49:11.760><c> be</c><02:49:11.840><c> a</c><02:49:12.000><c> mom.
• :49:16.560><c> little</c><02:49:16.800><c> guy</c><02:49:16.960><c> here,</c><02:49:17.359><c> Sam,</

Transcript Highlights:

• This<02:49:26.800><c> threat</c><02:49:27.120><c> is</c><02:49:27.600><c> real</c><02:49:28.399><c> and
• <03:49:41.439><c> of</c><03:49:41.760><c> Colombia</c><03:49:42.720><c> have</c><03:49:43.279><c> used
• </c><03:49:48.880><c> does</c><03:49:49.040><c> not</c><03:49:49.279><c> simply</c><03:49:49.680><c>
• years<04:49:03.840><c> instead</c><04:49:04.240><c> of</c><04:49:04.400><c> five</c><04:49:04.718><c>
• This<04:49:43.040><c> bill</c><04:49:43.280><c> will</c><04:49:43.600><c> allow</c><04:49:43.920><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next<00:49:40.559><c> year</c><00:49:40.960><c> when</c><00:49:41.200><c> we</c><00:49:41.440><c>
• run</c><00:49:42.079><c> is</c><00:49:42.400><c> not</c><00:49:42.559><c> going</c><00:49:42.720><c>
• It's<00:49:45.200><c> not</c><00:49:45.280><c> going</c><00:49:45.359><c> to</c><00:49:45.440><c> be<
• &gt;&gt; So<00:49:47.680><c> with</c><00:49:48.000><c> this</c><00:49:48.160><c> new</c><00:49:48.319
• </c><00:49:52.079><c> But</c><00:49:52.160><c> I</c><00:49:52.319><c> I</c><00:49:52.800><c> expect</

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:34.160><c> us</c><00:49:34.440><c> to</c><00:49:34.600><c> meet</c><00:49:34.920><c> all</c> it's
• 37.000><c> in</c><00:49:37.080><c> our</c><00:49:37.160><c> state</c><00:49:37.640><c> plus</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:40.120><c> that</c><00:49:40.320><c> have</c><00:49:40.440><c> water</c><00:49:40.760><c>
• </c><00:49:42.280><c> Um,</c><00:49:42.840><c> and</c><00:49:44.000><c> I'm</c><00:49:44.280><c> kind
• </c><00:49:46.760><c> As</c><00:49:47.040><c> Senator</c><00:49:47.880><c> Dibble</c><00:49:48.200><c

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:15.600><c> Madam</c><00:49:16.080><c> Chair,</c><00:49:16.960><c> um</c><00:49:17.440><c>
• c><00:49:18.359><c> a</c><00:49:18.440><c> tactical</c><00:49:18.960><c> it's</c><00:49:19.200><c> it
• :49:21.080><c> group</c><00:49:21.320><c> of</c><00:49:21.480><c> two</c><00:49:21.680><c> could</c><
• 00:49:21.800><c> be</c><00:49:21.960><c> a</c><00:49:22.040><c> task</c><00:49:22.480><c> force</c><00
• And really it<00:49:28.280><c> is</c><00:49:28.720><c> right</c><00:49:28.960><c> the</c><00:49:29.040

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:49:16.800><c> Valley</c><01:49:17.040><c> school</c><01:49:17.280><c> board</c><01:49:18.480>
• </c><01:49:22.719><c> that</c><01:49:23.440><c> an</c><01:49:23.840><c> even</c><01:49:24.239><c> the
• </c><01:49:26.560><c> I</c><01:49:26.800><c> mean</c><01:49:27.840><c> I</c><01:49:28.400><c> it</c>
• But<01:49:45.760><c> if</c><01:49:46.159><c> Andover</c><01:49:47.280><c> is</c><01:49:47.600><c> the
• > they're</c><01:49:54.239><c> not</c><01:49:54.320><c> the</c><01:49:54.400><c> one</c><01:49:54.560

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'll<00:49:31.040><c> start</c><00:49:31.200><c> off</c><00:49:31.440><c> by</c><00:49:32.000><c>
• I<00:49:39.839><c> mean,</c><00:49:40.000><c> like</c><00:49:40.400><c> outrageously</c><00:49:41.200
• was</c><00:49:44.480><c> the</c><00:49:44.640><c> mayor</c><00:49:44.800><c> in</c><00:49:44.960><c>
• a</c><00:49:46.640><c> tour</c><00:49:47.040><c> of</c><00:49:47.200><c> one</c><00:49:47.359><c> of<
• Rotting food.<00:49:56.640><c> We've</c><00:49:56.880><c> all</c><00:49:57.040><c> seen</c><00:49:57.280

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c><00:49:02.079><c> lead</c><00:49:02.359><c> on</c><00:49:02.559><c> nuclear</c><00:49:02.920
• <c> we</c><00:49:08.119><c> want</c><00:49:08.240><c> to</c><00:49:08.400><c> bring</c><00:49:08.599>
• means we<00:49:11.000><c> need</c><00:49:11.160><c> to</c><00:49:11.400><c> keep</c><00:49:12.000><c>
• I love<00:49:53.720><c> Minnesota</c><00:49:54.319><c> as</c><00:49:54.400><c> a</c><00:49:54.559><c
• <c> 17</c><00:49:58.359><c> billion</c><00:49:58.799><c> so</c><00:49:59.240><c> ways</c><00:49:59.480

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• :05.520><c> bill,</c><02:49:05.840><c> and</c><02:49:06.080><c> I</c><02:49:06.240><c> yield</c><02:49
• </c><02:49:18.880><c> And</c><02:49:19.120><c> I</c><02:49:19.279><c> yield</c><02:49:19.520><c> back
• I'm<02:49:23.120><c> sorry,</c><02:49:23.359><c> from</c><02:49:23.600><c> Texas</c><02:49:24.000><c>
• The question<02:49:24.960><c> is,</c><02:49:25.520><c> will</c><02:49:25.760><c> the</c><02:49:25.920
• </c><02:49:35.200><c> In</c><02:49:35.359><c> the</c><02:49:35.520><c> opinion</c><02:49:35.760><c> of

Transcript Highlights:

• .<01:49:12.560><c> That</c><01:49:12.800><c> triggers</c><01:49:13.199><c> some</c><01:49:13.440><c>
• But<01:49:23.760><c> it</c><01:49:24.000><c> also</c><01:49:24.320><c> affects</c><01:49:24.719><c> the
• <01:49:29.360><c> upon</c><01:49:29.760><c> cases</c><01:49:30.080><c> of</c><01:49:30.320><c> public
• Now, Now, Now, in<01:49:38.560><c> some</c><01:49:38.800><c> cases,</c><01:49:40.239><c> the</c><01:49
• ><04:49:03.680><c> opens</c><04:49:04.000><c> the</c><04:49:04.160><c> door</c><04:49:04.320><c> that

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Summary: The committee began with procedural announcements about report turnaround, amendment submission methods during split operations, a possible January 29 session, the governor’s State of the State on February 5, parking, cafeteria opening, and the plan to finish work by February 10. It then moved into executive session on HB 1123, which would require certain companies to post salary ranges on public job listings. Representative Granger moved ITL, arguing the bill would interfere with negotiations, especially for higher-level jobs, and raise compelled-speech concerns. Supporters, including Representatives Schultz, Sullivan, Cahill, Staub, and others, said salary ranges help applicants avoid wasted time and travel, improve transparency, and are already a common workplace disclosure. The committee voted 10-9 to ITL HB 1123. The committee next took up HB 177, concerning a definition of remote work in labor law. Representative Murphy moved ITL, saying the bill could burden employers, create vague obligations, duplicate existing protections, and potentially require intrusive compliance measures. Representative Sullivan described a proposed amendment that would narrow the bill to a definition of remote work and remove broader requirements, but the committee ultimately voted 11-9 to ITL HB 177. Members also noted that the amendment had not been fully circulated in time and that the issue might merit further review. Finally, the committee opened HB 1352, a workers’ compensation bill focused on repricing and payment practices. The sponsor withdrew an initial ITL motion and moved OTP after amendment review. Members discussed concerns raised at the hearing about delayed payments, third-party administrators, and the need for better accountability. Representative McKenzie’s amendment would define good faith, create a voluntary three-year dispute-resolution pilot, restore fines to prior levels, and add reporting/accountability requirements for carriers that miss the 30-day payment deadline. Several members supported the amendment as a way to help small businesses and providers, while others said repricing needed broader study through the workers’ compensation advisory council. The Department of Labor explained that the amendment would require carriers and related payers to report missed determinations to the department and would increase oversight of payment timeliness.

Transcript Highlights:

• , we do want folks<00:49:06.840><c> to</c><00:49:07.000><c> know</c><00:49:07.280><c> that,</c><00:49
• > and</c><00:49:18.520><c> that</c><00:49:18.720><c> they</c><00:49:19.040><c> are</c><00:49:19.520><
• ><c> provide</c><00:49:21.520><c> uh</c><00:49:21.760><c> a</c><00:49:22.320><c> a</c><00:49:22.440><
• 49:28.760><c> to</c><00:49:28.840><c> say</c><00:49:29.080><c> thank</c><00:49:29.440><c> you</c><00:
• /c><00:49:31.520><c> me</c><00:49:31.680><c> to</c><00:49:31.800><c> talk</c><00:49:32.080><c> about<

Transcript Highlights:

• :17.639><c> the</c><01:49:18.159><c> you</c><01:49:18.280><c> know</c><01:49:18.400><c> to</c><01:49:
• c><01:49:21.280><c> for</c><01:49:22.119><c> for</c><01:49:22.880><c> you</c><01:49:23.480><c> uh</c>
• ><c> units</c><01:49:24.920><c> if</c><01:49:25.000><c> you</c><01:49:25.199><c> have</c><01:49:25.360
• /c><02:49:18.640><c> is</c><02:49:18.760><c> is</c><02:49:18.840><c> a</c><02:49:19.000><c> homeless<
• ><02:49:26.520><c> their</c><02:49:26.920><c> goods</c><02:49:27.200><c> and</c><02:49:27.760><c> and

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing<01:49:04.600><c> none,</c><01:49:04.800><c> Senate</c><01:49:05.000><c> Bill</c><01:49:05.120>
• </c><01:49:12.000><c> Uh</c><01:49:12.160><c> let's</c><01:49:12.320><c> go</c><01:49:12.400><c> to</
• If<01:49:36.880><c> not,</c><01:49:37.200><c> the</c><01:49:37.360><c> clerk</c><01:49:37.960><c> will
• With<01:49:42.240><c> 35</c><01:49:42.600><c> votes</c><01:49:42.760><c> in</c><01:49:42.800><c> the<
• <01:49:59.120><c> If</c><01:49:59.320><c> not,</c><01:49:59.520><c> the</c><01:49:59.640><c> clerk</c

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:18.280><c> my</c><00:49:18.440><c> husband</c><00:49:18.760><c> and</c><00:49:18.960><c> I</c><00
• her</c><00:49:26.960><c> life</c><00:49:27.680><c> who</c><00:49:27.880><c> happens</c><00:49:28.160>
• <00:49:31.359><c> the</c><00:49:31.480><c> one</c><00:49:31.640><c> we</c><00:49:31.760><c> have</c>
• us</c><00:49:32.599><c> today</c><00:49:33.599><c> makes</c><00:49:33.920><c> me</c><00:49:34.400><c
• you<00:49:42.880><c> don't</c><00:49:43.079><c> want</c><00:49:43.280><c> them</c><00:49:43.400><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:49:09.319><c> important</c><00:49:09.760><c> step</c><00:49:10.040><c> in</c><00:49:10.200><c>
• ><c> in</c><00:49:19.680><c> August</c><00:49:20.160><c> 2024</c><00:49:21.160><c> and</c><00:49:21.280
• 49:01.080><c> for</c><01:49:01.239><c> you</c><01:49:01.320><c> to</c><01:49:01.639><c> put</c><01:49
• :49:19.480><c> um</c><01:49:19.800><c> and</c><01:49:20.040><c> one</c><01:49:20.159><c> of</c> thing
• </c><01:49:21.040><c> me</c><01:49:21.280><c> mentioned</c><01:49:21.599><c> it</c><01:49:21.800><c>

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• I found some language that does reference registration stickers on 49-443.
• We're trying to make 49-714...
• Chairman, this is specifically to Title 49.
• Chairman, this is specifically to Title 49.
• This section is under Title 49, which is specific to motor vehicles.

Committee: House Transportation and Defense

Transcript Highlights:

• 49:09.880><c> my</c><00:49:10.000><c> friend</c><00:49:10.319><c> representative</c><00:49:11.240><c>
• c><01:49:22.960><c> part</c><01:49:23.159><c> of</c><01:49:23.320><c> that</c><01:49:23.480><c> is</c
• education<01:49:26.280><c> laws</c><01:49:27.280><c> where</c><01:49:27.520><c> we</c><01:49:27.840>
• ><c> a</c><01:49:30.360><c> person</c><01:49:30.760><c> with</c><01:49:30.920><c> a</c><01:49:31.520>
• </c><01:49:36.560><c> age</c><01:49:36.920><c> 21</c><01:49:37.800><c> to</c><01:49:38.400><c> when</

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:10.319><c> I</c><00:49:10.559><c> think</c><00:49:10.640><c> it</c><00:49:10.720><c> was</
• But<00:49:15.200><c> the</c><00:49:15.520><c> reality</c><00:49:16.000><c> of</c><00:49:16.160><c> it
• </c><00:49:16.400><c> is</c><00:49:16.880><c> I</c><00:49:17.200><c> hear</c><00:49:17.680><c> all</c
• </c><00:49:25.520><c> So,</c><00:49:25.760><c> I'm</c><00:49:25.839><c> going</c><00:49:25.920><c> to
• </c><00:49:26.800><c> I</c><00:49:27.040><c> think</c><00:49:27.119><c> they</c><00:49:27.359><c> got

Committee: Joint Education