Transcript Highlights:

• Plan exists for a very valid reason, and I don't think that purpose is to be in competition with the E&S
• Plan exists for a very valid reason, and I don't think that purpose is to be in competition with the E&S
• The E&S lack of guarantee fund protection has been brought up a couple of times, and I just bring up
• the other side of that: that the E&S market has more flexibility and fluidity and is able to respond
• Lynch brought up, we have not seen a problem with failures in the E&S marketplace.

Transcript Highlights:

• SP 423 HD1 and I thank the support of s SP 423 HD1 and I thank the committee<01:02:04.079><c> for</c>
• there anyone else wishing to<01:18:58.480><c> testify</c><01:18:58.880><c> and</c><01:18:59.000><c> S<
• </c><01:18:59.679><c> 1667</c><01:19:00.320><c> house</c><01:19:00.560><c> draft</c> to testify and S
• A bill 1667 house draft to testify and S A bill 1667 house draft 1<01:19:01.920><c> if</c><01:19:02.080
• This is a very... please voting on S SP 763 sd2 HD1 with please voting on S SP 763 sd2 HD1 with amendments

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

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:

• reinvest in other states please<00:19:54.320><c> pass</c><00:19:54.559><c> the</c><00:19:54.720><c> s<
• in</c><00:19:55.880><c> support</c><00:19:56.240><c> of</c><00:19:56.400><c> the</c> please pass the s
• sp88 in support of the please pass the s sp88 in support of the 90%<00:19:57.520><c> of</c><00:19:57.679
• 22:45.960><c> Hampshire</c><01:22:46.600><c> by</c><01:22:46.760><c> supporting</c><01:22:47.239><c> s<
• by supporting s SP 279 we<01:22:49.040><c> T</c><01:22:49.480><c> we</c><01:22:49.600><c> take</c><01

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I have Chair and Vice Chair S. M. Laughin for HSDA. We stand on our written testimony. Thank you.
• IO have chair and vice chair s m Laughin IO have chair and vice chair s m Laughin for<00:06:33.840><c
• S. Milan Salfen, for the Hawaii State Teachers Association.
• S. Laughlin for the Hawaii C Association.
• c><02:03:31.840><c> chair</c><02:03:32.079><c> Vice</c><02:03:32.239><c> chair</c><02:03:32.400><c> s<

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• with is the integrated resource planning process that we as utilities undertake. to be here and um and S
• share some of to be here and um and S share some of our<00:02:54.640><c> thoughts</c><00:02:54.959><c
• S&P Global estimates that the data center industry is now driving half of all contracted corporate renewable
• S&P Global estimates that the data center industry is now driving half of all contracted corporate renewable
• S&P Global estimates that the data center industry is now driving half of all contracted corporate renewable

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• She was predeceased by her brother Jerome Lomba Sr. and her brother-in-law Manuel S. Bones. Ms.

Transcript Highlights:

• After it passed, however, it became clear AB 252's structure simply didn't work in Marin.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard AB 754 by Assemblymember Connolly, a district-specific bill updating the Floating Home Residency Law in Marin County. The author explained that the measure was intended to fix unintended consequences from AB 252, which had created renter protections for floating homeowners but, according to the author, did not work well in Marin because of the unique construction and financing needs of floating homes there. Supporters said the bill was developed over more than two years with extensive input from residents, marina operators, and county officials, and that a community survey showed 93% resident support and support from all five marina owners. Testimony in support came from the author and Karen Lang representing the County of Marin, both emphasizing that the bill preserved renter protections while allowing marinas to remain financially viable and maintain infrastructure. No opposition testimony was presented, and committee members praised the author for securing local agreement before advancing the bill. After quorum was established, the committee took up concurrence in the Senate amendments. The motion passed on a 7-0 vote, with two members not voting, and the committee concurred in the Senate amendments to AB 754.

Transcript Highlights:

• Immediately after Prop. 209's passage, there was a chilling effect on data collection, even to know the
• based on the same rubric as the public school system stabilization account, which has a long acronym, P-S-S-S-A
• . and an long acronym, P-S-S-A, and I want to say that the new equalization reserve account really would

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• improvement but those gains are<00:40:22.720><c> often</c><00:40:23.440><c> not</c><00:40:23.839><c> s<
• </c><00:40:26.320><c> The</c> are often not s sustained long term.
• The are often not s sustained long term.
• </c><01:12:17.760><c> Accept</c><01:12:18.159><c> the</c> Make a motion s amended.
• Accept the Make a motion s amended. Accept the amendment. A second.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• 04:46.240><c> a</c> reforming process, we convert it into a reforming process, we convert it into a s<
• 01:04:46.640><c> gas</c><01:04:46.880><c> and</c><01:04:47.039><c> that</c><01:04:47.200><c> s</c><01
• 04:47.520><c> gas</c><01:04:47.760><c> then</c><01:04:47.920><c> can</c><01:04:48.160><c> become</c> s
• gas and that s gas then can become s gas and that s gas then can become hydrogen,<01:04:49.039><c> methanol

Bills: HB0120 , HB0043 , HB0128

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:16:01.040><c> of</c><01:16:01.199><c> course</c><01:16:01.360><c> would</c><01:16:02.159><c> s<
• /c> dispute as well, which of course would s dispute as well, which of course would s would<01:16:02.640
• And<01:20:56.560><c> I'm</c><01:20:56.719><c> still</c><01:20:56.880><c> s</c><01:20:56.880><c> sitting
• </c><01:20:57.120><c> here</c><01:20:57.360><c> thinking</c><01:20:57.520><c> to</c> And I'm still s
• sitting here thinking to And I'm still s sitting here thinking to make<01:20:57.840><c> sure</c><01:20

Summary: The Government Contracts Committee met for its first 2026 meeting, approved the December 9 minutes, and reviewed 337 contracts totaling about $71.8 million. After a motion to consider the routine contract lists without objection passed, the committee pulled several items for discussion, including contracts from the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Department of Highways, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, and Kentucky State University. Most items were ultimately approved by roll call votes. For the Council on Postsecondary Education item, members discussed why the contract was not handled through the usual Finance Cabinet bidding process. Staff explained it stemmed from House Bill 200 and the healthcare workforce incentive fund, which uses a separate competitive award process and steering committee under different statutory standards. The committee accepted that explanation and approved the contract. Department of Highways staff then explained the difference between scour assessments, which evaluate erosion and foundation risk around bridge piers, and load ratings, which assess the bridge structure itself. Members also questioned a larger engineering contract increase; staff said it reflected progression from preliminary engineering to final design on a phased project and estimated the funding split at roughly 80% federal and 20% state. Those highway contracts were approved. The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission presented a legal services contract. Officials said the new corporation had identified legal needs, issued an RFP, and awarded four firms to create a pool of counsel to avoid conflicts as the agency now licenses racing, sports betting, and charitable gaming. They also said an emergency contract was needed after a temporary restraining order was issued in litigation involving charitable gaming machines and alleged losses to charities. The committee asked about the litigation and the affected organizations, and the contract was approved. Kentucky State University then defended a marketing/enrollment contract despite financial concerns, saying the work was intended to raise awareness of the university, improve enrollment, and support financial stability. University officials also said they were tightening student payment enforcement and collection practices, including payment plans and holding students accountable for balances. That contract was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

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• We s for the policies are necessarily.
• We s we<00:34:46.480><c> just</c><00:34:47.200><c> put</c><00:34:47.440><c> the</c><00:34:47.679><c>
• /c><01:27:31.920><c> Senator</c><01:27:32.320><c> Sullivan</c> prior testimony of S Senator Sullivan
• prior testimony of S Senator Sullivan because<01:27:33.360><c> I</c><01:27:33.600><c> think</c><01:27

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 69, which would require local school boards to publicly vote on whether to accept or reject charitable gifts or donations, prompted by a case in which a church offered to pay off school lunch debt but the offer was refused and families were sued instead. Senator Keith Murphy said the bill is intended to force transparency and public accountability in similar situations, while acknowledging that boards may still reject gifts with strings attached or for ethical reasons. Members raised questions about anonymity, privacy, and whether school boards already have authority to address meal debt before litigation. Murphy said the bill was aimed at cases where money is refused and families are sued, and he said he would accept amendments to make the vote requirement apply to both accepted and rejected gifts. The hearing on the bill was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. Trisha Milo, presenting for Senator Rashardi, said the bill is meant to improve focus, reduce distraction and cyberbullying, and create more consistent policies across districts, while still allowing exceptions for medical, disability, language support, and instructional needs. Committee members questioned whether districts would retain flexibility, whether the bill should apply to charter schools and other devices, and whether the annual policy-update requirement and enforcement language were too prescriptive. Milo said districts would still have flexibility in how they write their policies and that she would seek clarification from the senator on several drafting questions. Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association testified in support of the general concept of a cell phone policy, saying many districts already have some form of policy, though not all do, and that existing sample policies are outdated. She said the annual update requirement would likely be burdensome and that the enforcement language seemed intended to ensure administrative involvement rather than teacher discipline, but she suggested the wording may need revision. Members also discussed whether very small districts or districts without schools should be covered and whether the bill should better distinguish between classroom enforcement and student discipline. The chair closed the hearing on Senate Bill 206 after no further testimony, and the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

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• swtv is also committed to it too uh s swtv is also committed to Innovative<01:13:50.920><c> technology
• :15:14.280><c> smaller</c><01:15:14.679><c> stations</c><01:15:15.280><c> like</c><01:15:15.520><c> s<
• /c><01:15:15.800><c> swtv</c><01:15:16.800><c> while</c> many smaller stations like s swtv while many
• smaller stations like s swtv while a<01:15:17.080><c> more</c><01:15:17.400><c> sustainable</c><01:15

Bills: HF1679 , HF1019 , HF2321 , HF1740 , HF2278

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:23:24.960><c> 438</c><00:23:25.840><c> sd2</c><00:23:26.840><c> particularly</c> opposition to S
• SP 438 sd2 particularly opposition to S SP 438 sd2 particularly concerning<00:23:27.880><c> his</c><00
• c><00:35:57.760><c> testimony</c><00:35:58.760><c> um</c><00:35:58.880><c> for</c><00:35:59.119><c> S<
• /c><00:35:59.359><c> sp1</c><00:35:59.560><c> 1395</c> written TT testimony um for S sp1 1395 written
• TT testimony um for S sp1 1395 sd2<00:36:01.240><c> happy</c><00:36:01.440><c> to</c><00:36:01.560><

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

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• /c> talking about this I love technical s talking about this I love technical s matter<00:52:40.599><
• /c><00:53:25.880><c> the</c><00:53:26.000><c> things</c><00:53:26.119><c> that</c><00:53:26.599><c> s<
• /c><00:53:26.680><c> with</c> one of the things that s with one of the things that s with disparities

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Society<00:47:11.839><c> gains</c><00:47:12.440><c> four</c><00:47:13.000><c> to</c><00:47:13.240><c> s<
• /c><00:47:13.680><c> in</c><00:47:13.960><c> economic</c> Society gains four to s in economic Society
• gains four to s in economic returns<00:47:15.440><c> through</c><00:47:15.720><c> reduced</c><00:47:
• <00:59:41.359><c> industry</c><00:59:42.240><c> is</c><00:59:42.520><c> really</c><00:59:43.240><c> s<
• /c><00:59:43.599><c> is</c><00:59:43.799><c> really</c> so our industry is really s is really so our

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:45:55.800><c> uh</c><00:45:56.079><c> executive</c><00:45:56.760><c> uh</c> table and ADV and S
• big uh executive uh table and ADV and S big uh executive uh agency<00:45:58.800><c> Mr</c><00:45:59.000
• <00:58:17.079><c> added</c><00:58:17.599><c> the</c><00:58:17.760><c> the</c><00:58:17.880><c> 2011's<
• /c><00:58:18.760><c> or</c><00:58:19.160><c> 200</c> we then added the the 2011's or 200 we then added
• the the 2011's or 200 level<00:58:20.079><c> uh</c><00:58:20.240><c> classes</c><00:58:20.960><c> that

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

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• /c><00:43:09.839><c> the</c> there being five eyes and six s the there being five eyes and six s the
• 00:52:39.799><c> any</c><00:52:40.000><c> other</c> questions any other questions any other comments s<
• 52:50.280><c> lero</c><00:52:50.839><c> looks</c><00:52:51.040><c> like</c><00:52:51.160><c> we</c> s
• okay so Senator L lero looks like we s okay so Senator L lero looks like we don't<00:52:51.440><c> have

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• the committee this is Wayne Sako with of the committee this is Wayne Sako with the<00:14:13.199><c> S<
• c> of</c><00:14:13.680><c> hoi</c><00:14:14.480><c> um</c><00:14:14.680><c> we</c><00:14:14.800><c> s<
• /c><00:14:15.000><c> in</c><00:14:15.199><c> support</c><00:14:15.720><c> of</c> the S Club of hoi um
• we s in support of the S Club of hoi um we s in support of this<00:14:16.120><c> of</c><00:14:16.279

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture, water, invasive species, and land-use bills. HB 299 and HB 1220, both relating to invasive species, drew broad support from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, C-GAPS, Sierra Club, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and others. Testifiers said HISC funding fills gaps between agency mandates, supports research and technology, and helps respond to both terrestrial and marine invasive threats. On HB 1220, C-GAPS described a marine anemone infestation in Kāneʻohe linked to aquarium release and said control and restoration would be difficult without the bill’s funding. A committee member asked for tracking information on the species, and the Division of Aquatic Resources said it maintains monitoring data and annual reports. No opposition was noted on either measure. HB 506, relating to conservation enforcement, also received support from DLNR and Malama Pu‘u Ma. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s scope and how the funding would be used. Members asked about a prior boat purchase mentioned in opposition testimony and about whether mainland vendors were being used; the department said it did not buy that boat and that procurement follows the normal state process, with total bid price including delivery, taxes, and other fees. The department explained that the bill’s funding is primarily for marine enforcement work in nearshore fisheries, including herbivore protection around O‘ahu. HB 915, relating to water use, had mixed testimony. DLNR supported alternative water sources and amendments to the water code, while the Department of Agriculture opposed the bill as drafted, saying its irrigation program is designed for non-potable agricultural use and is not structured for residential or mixed-use development. The Department of Health said it needed more information on its reuse guidelines and noted concern about removing the recycled water manager requirement, which it said helps ensure safe operation and maintenance of reuse systems. Members questioned the bill’s preemption language and whether county or state rules would be displaced, and Agriculture suggested county water agencies might be better suited for some of the proposed uses. HB 502, concerning land use, drew support from the Attorney General’s office, the Land Use Commission, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union, with the Department of Agriculture standing on its written testimony. The Attorney General warned that allowing important agricultural lands to be redistricted through a declaratory ruling process could conflict with the state constitution and recommended excluding IAL from the bill. The Land Use Commission said it has an inventory of IAL lands and did not believe the bill would affect them, and it agreed to the suggested protection. Supporters said the bill could help move lands with limited agricultural value into the rural district, reduce pressure on productive farmland, and better align land use with actual farming potential. HB 929, relating to the agricultural land conveyance tax, received comments from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Realtors; Farm Bureau said it supports preserving agricultural land but was concerned about unintended consequences and questioned whether speculative flipping of ag land is a current problem.

Transcript Highlights:

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• 00:45:43.240><c> food</c><00:45:43.440><c> security</c><00:45:43.720><c> and</c> we're deep in this s
• food security and we're deep in this s food security and resiliency<00:45:44.400><c> and</c><00:45:44.520
• members of the committee WIS nak<01:02:05.240><c> with</c><01:02:05.319><c> the</c><01:02:05.400><c> S<
• Club hoi um we uh you nak with the S Club hoi um we uh you know<01:02:07.960><c> we</c><01:02:08.160>

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems