Transcript Highlights:

• Even as I was assembling my thoughts and pulling it together, Kona low one, Kona low two runs together

Bills: SCR21, SCR75, SCR50, SCR149, SCR47, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170

Keywords: healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, health care, interdepartmental collaboration, public awareness, support services, education, health insurance, affordable healthcare, working group, Hawaii Health Plan, Medicaid expansion

Bills: SCR21, SCR75, SCR50, SCR149, SCR47, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170

Keywords: healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, health care, interdepartmental collaboration, public awareness, support services, education, health insurance, affordable healthcare, working group, Hawaii Health Plan, Medicaid expansion

Bills: SCR184, SCR169, SCR47, SCR57, SCR170, SCR163, SCR189

Keywords: SCR184, Senate Concurrent Resolution 184, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, HCRC, civil rights, anti-discrimination, algorithmic decision making, automated decision making, artificial intelligence, AI bias, machine learning, employment screening, tenant screening, housing discrimination, credit decisions, lending discrimination, public benefits eligibility, state services, equal opportunity, algorithmic discrimination

Summary: The committee met in Room 430 on April 17 at 8:30 a.m. and heard several resolutions focused on Hawaii’s sister-state and international relationships. Measures discussed included SCR 184, SCR 169 SD1, SCR 47, SCR 57 SD1, SCR 170 SD1, and SCR 163 SD1. Testimony generally supported expanding or formalizing ties with Japanese prefectures and other partners, including Yamaguchi, Okayama, and Aotearoa/New Zealand, as well as maintaining the Hawaii-Taiwan relationship. DBED’s Dennis Ling explained that sister-state agreements provide a framework for broader government, nonprofit, and private-sector relationships, and cited existing exchanges in transportation, health, education, culinary rice development, biosecurity, and food innovation. Catherine Stanway of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife supported the Aotearoa measure for predator control, biosecurity, and conservation cooperation. Jerry Chang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office testified in support of the Taiwan resolution, noting 33 years of sister-state ties and ongoing cooperation in education, culture, economy, and disaster management. One witness raised a concern about language in SCR 57 SD1 related to double taxation, saying that portion did not relate to the sister-state relationship, but the committee chose not to amend the measure to avoid possible delay or conference issues. A committee member also asked about how sister-state relationships work and whether other states have similar country-level arrangements; Ling said Hawaii has an MOU with Israel and mentioned Singapore as another possible partner, while noting that such arrangements often depend on the governor and are not standardized across states. After testimony, the committee voted to recommend passage of all measures as is. SCR 184, SCR 169 SD1, SCR 47, SCR 57 SD1, SCR 170 SD1, and SCR 163 SD1 were all adopted by the committee without amendments. Some members were excused during the hearing, and the meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Bills: SCR47, SCR21, SCR163, SCR169, SCR170, SCR50, SCR75, SCR149, HCR83, HCR111, HCR110, HCR122, HCR118, HCR61, HCR162, HCR36, HCR19, HCR106, HCR14, HCR178, SB3022, SB3102, SB3144

Keywords: sister-state, Hawaii, Okayama, Japan, cultural exchange, economic partnership, tourism, agriculture, international relations, healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Legislative Cooperation

Bills: HCR77, HCR102, HR559

Keywords: COFA, Compact of Free Association, Palau, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, COFA islanders, Texas House resolution, commemorative resolution, COFA Day, March 18 2025, Pacific Islands, insular affairs, U.S. territories, federal benefits, SNAP, TANF, FEMA, in-state tuition, veterans, Indo-Pacific

Transcript Highlights:

• excited to work with the administration, the secretary, our sister agencies, you all in the General Assembly

Keywords: House Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program to taxpayers on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly
• standardized report of the information received from grant recipients to relevant committees of the General Assembly

Keywords: House Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• about it, is in the text of the amendment itself, which has already been approved by the General Assembly
• , along with the question at... ...which has already been approved by the General Assembly, along with

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Keywords: House Committee Room 1200, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that part of the reason you left the General Assembly was to be able to be closer to home and
• I know that part of the reason you left the General Assembly was to be able to be able to be closer to
• Well-supported, represented by our General Assembly members, Lacey. Thank you. Thank you.
• Attorney in the General Assembly.
• . for the past four and a half years that it has been in existence based upon the General Assembly.

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Keywords: House Committee Room B, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Keywords: House Committee Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Keywords: House Committee Room 1200, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Keywords: House Committee Room B, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Keywords: House Committee Room 1200, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , to put in line the similar bill, House Bill 182, which we have since passed out of the General Assembly
• Additionally, and this is somewhat refreshing given the actions of this General Assembly this session
• angered by the actions of the school district, who decided to ignore the intention of this General Assembly
• applause to our amazing staff, who have helped us with the best-run committee in all of the General Assembly

Keywords: House Committee Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee would echo exhortations on defence policy in the Western Pacific.
• If our allies in the Indo-Pacific perceive us to be untrustworthy or unreliable, all, they will hesitate
• So what does an optimal coalition look like to maintain the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific?
• So, given China's coercive activities in the Indo-Pacific, do you see any states hedging?
• So what are your thoughts on a NATO-like alliance in the Indo-Pacific?

Keywords: defense, geopolitical tensions, military readiness, China, Russia, U.S. military, Indo-Pacific, alliance, procurement

Summary: The meeting focused on critical defense and security matters, particularly concerning the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving China and Russia. There were discussions surrounding U.S. military readiness, with significant emphasis on the potential threats posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region. Members expressed concerns about America's military capabilities in relation to the growing Chinese fleet and the importance of maintaining strong alliances with nations like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Additionally, the notion of prioritizing the defense industrial base was highlighted, emphasizing the need for effective procurement and modernization efforts to counter adversarial threats. Furthermore, notable commentary included a reference to President Zelensky's remarks regarding peace negotiations with Ukraine, expressing a willingness for further cooperation with the U.S.