Bills: HB1800, HB2095

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Bills: SB3225, HCR53, HCR57, HCR101, HB1878, HB1481, SCR40, SCR59, SCR114, SCR197, SCR198, SR30, SR107, SR185, SR186

Keywords: statutory revision, Hawaii Revised Statutes, clarification, obsolete provisions, legal accuracy, University of Hawaii, Board of Regents, associate degree, degree audit, reverse transfer, credit audit, student completion, credential attainment, community college transfer, four-year campus, higher education, postsecondary attainment, workforce development, student retention, graduation pathways

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd now like to highlight some of the items that are included in this CIP budget.
• I'd now like to highlight some of the items that are included in this CIP budget.
• I really appreciated his insight and assistance on crafting this CIP budget.
• I'd now like to highlight some of the items that are included in this CIP budget.
• I'd now like to highlight some of the items that are included in this CIP budget.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I couldn't working on the CI CIP budget.
• the future on CIP. the future on CIP. Thank<00:50:33.040> you.
• together on the collaborating on the CIP together on the collaborating on the CIP budget.<00:51:
• So the go were spent in the CIP budget.
• we're going to be passing out um the CIP we're going to be passing out um the CIP um<00:56:41.359

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CIP.
• Well, you're just using<01:25:32.239> CIP, using CIP, using CIP, >> but<01:25:33.760>
• CIP. CIP. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Correct.
• the regular CIP request process? the regular CIP request process?
• that's related to our CIP budget, right? that's related to our CIP budget, right?

Bills: SB1, SB4, SB6, SB9, SB16, SB17, SB20, SB22, SB28, SB29, SB36, SB41, SB45, SB77, SB85, SB87, SB96, SB98, SB110, SB126, SB139, SB143, SB164, SB167, SB171, SB186, SB188, SB195, SB197, SB198, SB204, SB205, SB206, SB207, SB209, SB210, SB211, SB217, SB219, SB220, SB225, SB231, SB237, SB238, SB241, SB244, SB246, SB247, SB272, SB294, SB315, SB346, SB364, SB366, SB367, SB386, SB392, SB403, SB415, SB427, SB431, SB437, SB457, SB459, SB469, SB471, SB478, SB484, SB489, SB502, SB503, SB507, SB508, SB510, SB516, SB517, SB518, SB519, SB521, SB535, SB543, SB550, SB564, SB568, SB570, SB575, SB577, SB578, SB590, SB607, SB616, SB621, SB634, SB644, SB647, SB649, SB652, SB655, SB656, SB663

Keywords: agricultural lands, foreign ownership, state agriculture policy, real estate regulation, land conservation, SB4, Royal Mausoleum, Mauna Ala, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, OHA, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, stewardship, Hawaiian affairs, cemetery, burial site, ancestral remains, cultural preservation, state land management, agency transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, the harder lift is the CIP<02:21:50.240> library, CIP library, CIP library, >> which
• No, but it's a CIP.
• So, don't we already give you a preventive maintenance or CIP, not CIP, but the ... proposals?
• So, don't we already give you a preventive maintenance or CIP, not CIP, but the ... proposals?
• So, don't we already give you a preventive maintenance or CIP, not CIP, but the ... proposals?

Bills: SB2003

Keywords: Mauna Kea, land management, University of Hawaii, astronomical observatories, leasable lands, natural resource management, stewardship authority, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Education heard testimony and discussed SB 20003, which would require the auditor’s report under Act 255 to include a recommendation on whether the Monarch Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue managing Monaca lands. Testimony focused on the bill’s reversion language, the role of the auditor, and whether the measure gave the auditor too much discretion without clear criteria. The Office of the Auditor’s position, read into the record, was that it had strong reservations because the bill did not provide standards for assessing fitness and asked that the requirement be held or amended. Other testimony suggested a work group with relevant agencies and Hawaiian practitioners to manage the transition and reduce conflict. Committee members debated whether the bill should simply restore the original reversion language or also require an audit-based fitness determination. Several members questioned the need for a 2031 audit when Act 255 already provides for a performance and financial audit in 2031 and noted that the bill could shift authority away from the legislature. In response, the committee chair explained that the measure was intended to restore language removed during conference and to address the transition back to the University of Hawaii if the authority was not meeting the act’s purpose. The committees ultimately recommended SB 20003 be passed with amendments. The amendments would strike the auditor/audit section, add language addressing timelines by providing a 10-year lease extension and sublease extension, and make technical changes including a defective date. The committees voted to adopt the amended measure and send it forward as an SD1. The transcript also included a separate Education Committee hearing on SB 3286, which would require the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan and report to the legislature. University of Hawaii testimony said the system supports the intent but that the bill’s requirements are a heavy lift across 10 campuses and should follow development of a broader academic strategy. Members raised concerns about deferred maintenance, shifting priorities, and the lack of a systemwide plan, while the university said it already has a six-year capital improvement plan but acknowledged it does not fully incorporate the broader academic and housing strategy the bill contemplates.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also have some CIP requests as well. They also have some CIP requests as well.
• do that to you also where um your CIP do that to you also where um your CIP request<01:31:35.440
• <04:17:50.080> or requests and I can continue to CIP or requests and I can continue to CIP
• We have $1.5 million already in CIP.
• LNR 404 has one CIP request.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> CIP, the CIP funds? What is the reported backlog?
• the CIP funds?
• What is the reported >> CIP the CIP funds? What is the reported backlog?
• DOE unspent CIP<01:00:34.799> funds. CIP funds. CIP funds. >> Unspent.
• <01:11:12.239> Um CIP. Um those are douful upgrades. Um CIP.

Bills: HB1559, HB2012, HB2297, HB2122, HB2345, HB2398, HB2534, HB2621

Keywords: telecommunication devices, student use, public schools, student engagement, educational outcomes, confiscation policy, mental health, statewide policy, community literacy, education, Title I funding, reading proficiency, underserved communities, family engagement, tutoring, literacy support, adult education, community education, literacy programs, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• No, that's in CIP. >> Oh, okay. No, that's in CIP. >> So,<00:46:32.960> yeah.
• And then the CIP request. >> Okay. And then the CIP request.
• that in CIP. You can use that in cash. that in CIP. You can use that in cash.
• Oh, you do have some CIP requests. Oh, you do have some CIP requests.
• >> comes down to who who gets the CIP. >> comes down to who who gets the CIP.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:33:54.040> thank the CIP budget will be on the CIP thank the CIP budget will be on the
• <05:50:49.718> I'm if you want me to move on to CIP I'm if you want me to move on to CIP I'm
• that's a critically important CIP that's a critically important CIP request<05:58:11.958> for
• On your CIP, toward the R&M items, thank you.
• actually um prevent larger um CIP actually um prevent larger um CIP projects<06:44:26.600> in

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment. A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs. Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:54:27.440> portfolio largest CIP portfolio largest CIP portfolio right<00:54:30.319>
• > you<00:54:32.240> guys right CIP portfolio and if you guys right CIP portfolio and if
• Uh hard were put on the the CIP list.
• I've watched the hearings on CIP.
• <01:26:25.199> funds Not only you have obligated CIP funds Not only you have obligated CIP

Bills: SB2901, SB2902, SB2903, SB2904, SB2905, SB2906, SB2907, SB2908, SB2909, SB2910, SB2911, SB2912, SB2913, SB2914, SB2915, SB2916, SB2917, SB2918, SB2919, SB2920, SB2921, SB2922, SB2923, SB2924, SB2925, SB2926, SB2927, SB2928, SB2929, SB2930, SB2931, SB2932, SB2933, SB2934, SB2935, SB2936, SB2937, SB2938, SB2939, SB2940, SB2941, SB2942, SB2943, SB2944, SB2945, SB2946, SB2947, SB2948, SB2949, SB2950, SB2951, SB2952, SB2953, SB2954, SB2955, SB2956, SB2957, SB2958, SB2959, SB2960, SB2961, SB2962, SB2963, SB2964, SB2965, SB2966, SB2967, SB2968, SB2969, SB2970, SB2971, SB2972, SB2973, SB2974, SB2975, SB2976, SB2977, SB2978, SB2979, SB2980, SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2984, SB2985, SB2986, SB2987, SB2988, SB2989, SB2990, SB2991, SB2992, SB2993, SB2994, SB2995, SB2996, SB2997, SB2998, SB2999, SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Transcript Highlights:

• The item is being moved into the CIP budget on page 119.
• The committee received the handouts, which include a CIP highlights sheet as well as a CIP budget.
• CIP budget includes about $1.9 billion CIP budget includes about $1.9 billion in<01:38:55.920> general
• <01:39:20.239> funding larger amounts of funding CIP funding larger amounts of funding CIP
• > CIP<01:39:30.320> budget as a CIP budget for the CIP budget as a CIP budget for the CIP

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• implementation of the department CIP implementation of the department CIP have<00:49:36.839>
• change in methodology as to how we address CIPs and our NMs, any non-CIP questions?
• we address cips and our nms any non CIP we address cips and our nms any non CIP questions<02:25:
• Any other non-CIP questions?
• billion total unspent CIP funds.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• With respect to CIP budget, which is on Table 15, our FY 26 CIP budget is $34,500,000, and for FY 27
• Is that the CIP? No, CIP right? That's mostly equipment. That's the five million, right?
• Yeah, that's all CIP, and so with CIP we can do the initial removal, so we can fence and remove, but
• is that an operating c c no C for CIP is that an operating c c no CIP<01:56:39.040> right<01:
• 56:39.239> that's<01:56:39.400> mostly CIP right that's mostly CIP right that's mostly

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:59.760> We we asked for $20 million in CIP. We we asked for $20 million in CIP.
• >> 20 million for CIP. >> And that was for like regular maintenance? >> That was for CIP projects.
• >> 20 million for CIP. >> And that was for like regular maintenance?
• >> That was for CIP projects. >> Okay.
• Maintenance. >> That was for CIP projects. >> Okay.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm not a big fan of CIP and I'll tell you why.
• Um, it was returned last year as a CIP.
• So if it returned last year as a CIP.
• a point where we have to forego that CIP a point where we have to forego that CIP because<00:23:
• How much was the CIP allotment that was given to DNR for the windows and doors?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts held an informational briefing with representatives from ʻIolani Palace and Bishop Museum to discuss how the Legislature can better support state-funded cultural institutions during the interim and into the next session. Chair Capella said the goal was to understand current needs, preserve Hawaiian culture and history, and expand educational access. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing. ʻIolani Palace’s representative described the Friends of ʻIolani Palace’s role as the nonprofit supporting repair, restoration, maintenance, and public education for the state monument. She said state operational funding and ARPA funds were critical to keeping the palace open, maintaining HVAC and other systems, and funding repairs that would otherwise fall to DLNR. She highlighted ongoing and planned projects including a fire suppression system, HVAC improvements, basement exhibit work, plumbing repairs, elevator replacement, etched glass restoration, and school-tour access. She also noted that a prior $150,000 CIP for windows and doors had not yet been released, and said the organization is exploring ways to bring more neighbor island students to the palace through transportation support, airline partnerships, and digital outreach. Bishop Museum’s representatives outlined the museum’s history, its role as the state museum of natural and cultural history, and its extensive collections in archives, archaeology, botany, entomology, zoology, and cryopreservation. They emphasized the museum’s work in preservation, research, environmental stewardship, and public education, including free access through Museums for All, daily programming, and cultural festivals and community events. They said state funding has been essential for staffing, IT security, fire suppression, and infrastructure needs, and that digitization of the museum’s 25 million objects is a major ongoing initiative to preserve and share Hawaiʻi’s history and knowledge.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it came to CIP and SE dips, you know, it was something we worked on.
• When it came to CIP and SE dips, you know, it was something we worked on.
• When it came to CIP and SE dips, you know, it was something we worked on.
• So this is about CIPs, and I understand the bill will drop the requirement for CIPs for schools that
• is the CIP is the CIP than<00:35:29.280> doubling<00:35:30.040> paperwork<00:35:30.839

Keywords: The previous live stream for this committee experienced a technical issue. This is the complete meeting recording recovered from backups., 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 44, “Landon’s Law,” sponsored by Rep. Candy Massaroni. The bill would allow schools to keep anti-choking devices such as LifeVac on hand while limiting liability. Testimony from Equal First Aid and LifeVac emphasized that choking is a leading cause of death for children, that the devices are noninvasive and FDA-registered, and that updated Red Cross guidance allows their use when standard rescue protocols fail or are not feasible. Lauren McCubbins, Landon McCubbin’s mother, gave emotional testimony about her 8-year-old son’s death from choking at school and urged the committee to give schools an added rescue option. Members asked questions about how the device works, whether the Heimlich maneuver remains part of the protocol, and whether the bill is limited to LifeVac or applies to similar devices. The bill was reported favorably, with a roll call vote showing unanimous support from members present. The committee then heard a bill sponsored by Rep. J. Baker aimed at reducing administrative burdens in schools and supporting teacher recruitment and retention. The measure would lengthen the required evaluation cycle for tenured teachers from every three years to every five years, provide teachers a copy of their employment contract upon request, streamline professional development provisions, update continuous school improvement plan filing requirements, restore schools’ ability to use Title II funds for certain programs after an unintended consequence of prior legislation, and require KDE to review reporting requirements and eliminate those not required by law. Rep. Baker said the bill was developed with teachers and administrators through a working group and is intended to reduce “check-the-box” tasks so educators can focus on instruction. Amanda Butler of Spencer County Schools and other educators testified that the changes would save time, preserve funding for mentor and induction programs, and reduce repetitive paperwork. Rep. Fleming asked for clarification on the longer evaluation cycle, and an educator witness explained that each evaluation involves pre-observation, observation, and post-observation time and that districts would still retain flexibility to evaluate more often if needed. No final vote on this bill was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair and CIP Chair, so thank you for being here today.
• CIP requests we have three uh uh potent CIP requests we have three uh uh potent uh<05:49:29.638> three
• Appropriations um they also have CIP Appropriations um they also have CIP requests<05:52:34.920>
• platform and that's all thanks to CIP platform and that's all thanks to CIP funding<06:34:25.000
• Again, that's thanks to CIP.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held an informational briefing with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations on its budget, staffing, and operations. The director reviewed department leadership and reported on recruitment and retention efforts, including a 14% vacancy rate, a 10.5% workforce increase from filling 189 positions, and the Hela Imua internship program, which has placed 516 interns since inception and led to 62 permanent hires. The department also described modernization efforts, including the UI Huakai project and the Disability Compensation Division’s electronic case management system, and said the unemployment compensation trust fund exceeded $71.5 million, triggering Schedule C for calendar year 2025. The department’s main budget requests included $2.9 million for fiscal year 2026 to support maintenance and operations of the electronic case management system, plus restoration of two enforcement specialist positions. Officials said those positions are needed to address a decline in investigators from 11 to six since 2009, improve compliance, and handle Hawaii Compliance Express certificate work. Additional requests included two human resources specialists to address recruitment backlogs, two labor enforcement specialists to reduce a backlog of Chapter 104 prevailing wage and wage cases, and two positions for the Office of Community Services to expand immigrant services and access centers. The department also discussed federal funding for unemployment insurance and workforce programs, including National Dislocated Worker Grants and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, and said some funding is received in increments and may require extensions. Members asked about Kauai inspection coverage, federal funding uncertainty, the size of the special unemployment insurance fund, and whether the department could ramp up staffing during a future crisis. Officials said Kauai is currently served by inspectors from Honolulu and there are no plans to open a permanent island position because of staffing constraints. They said the department is meeting federal guidelines and is not in jeopardy, and that the special unemployment insurance fund has about $10 million, with current UI operations funded at a little over $15 million, meaning the fund may need to cover roughly $5 million if federal support declines. The director said the department would use the special fund to supplement shortfalls, but noted that federal funding cuts and the loss of ARPA support have already affected operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think um status of CIP projects.
• process. board approved supplemental CIP request. board approved supplemental CIP request.
• CIP from operational. CIP from operational. >> Yes.<02:54:55.279> Okay.
• from CIP funds.
• CIP funds. Um, it may not be. CIP funds. Um, it may not be.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that, after the legislature has approved a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, including that for CIP
• that, after the legislature has approved a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, including that for CIP
• that, after the legislature has approved a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, including that for CIP
• project that might have if there's a CIP project that might have a<00:32:09.760> funding<00:32
• Capital Improvement projects any CIP Capital Improvement projects any that<00:32:54.919> will

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on March 14, 2025, and heard five University of Hawaii-related bills. SB 741 would create an external audit committee for the UH system and Board of Regents; UH and UHPA opposed it, saying existing internal and external audits already provide robust oversight, and the committee later recommended deferring the bill indefinitely as duplicative. SB 1252 SD2 would create a dementia training program for health care providers; the Alzheimer’s Association and other supporters said broader training is needed across the care workforce, while the university discussed using JABSOM as a coordinator. The committee deferred the bill to March 19 for an HD1 reflecting JABSOM’s suggestions and removing the appropriations/FTE language. SB 1502 SD1 would fund faculty positions, student programs, and facilities at UH Manoa and West Oahu for defense-sector workforce development. UH and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the measure, describing a pipeline for students into intelligence, cybersecurity, and related fields, while one individual opposed it as too closely tied to military contracting and urged investment in other sectors instead. The committee amended the bill to remove FTE references and advanced it; the vote to pass with amendments was adopted, with several members voting aye and some excused. SB 1530 would require performance-based allocation of UH general funds and efficiency reporting. UH and the Attorney General’s office raised concerns, saying the bill’s metrics would apply across the entire general fund budget and were not practical as drafted; the committee also noted opposition from the Budget and Finance Department and individuals. SB 1624 SD1 would restrict RIM funds to renewing, improving, or modernizing existing facilities and require annual reports. UH opposed the bill and explained that RIM is a lump-sum approach used to address deferred maintenance and capital needs, with Board of Regents approval and quarterly reporting already in place; the Attorney General suggested constitutional amendments. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 1624, with no final action shown in the excerpt.