Senate Floor

Will the senate please come to order? Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Thank you, Mr. President.

And then Senator Moriwaki.

Thank you. The Chair has read the journal of the preceding day and approves the same. Are there any introductions this morning, Senator Rhoads?

Thank you, Mr. President. I wanted to introduce one of my constituents, Sylvia Luke. She also happens to be Lieutenant Governor.

If there are no objection. Senator San Buenaventura, did you have late comment or introduction?

Senator Moriwaki.

Thank you, Mr. President. President. In the gallery is Rajan Zed. If you could stand there. He's our distinguished guest from Nevada who delivered this morning's moment. Rajan is the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism and travels across the country and worldwide to promote peace and interfaith dialogue with leaders of diverse religions and non-believers.

He will also be providing an offering of invocation to the Hawaii County Council in June. So thank you, Mr. Zed, and welcome to the Senate. Also with him are my staff, Venus De Los Santos, my office manager, Alexander Ozawa, Charles Isamoto, Cody Rex, invalid. And Joe Copshy, who is our CIP staff. Thank you all very much.

Further introduction, Senator DeCoite.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to also introduce someone that has just volunteered to intern in my office. She's originally from Molokai, and she goes to St. Andrew Priory here. La Eriz. Will you please stand and be recognized by the Senate? Welcome.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to introduce the Lieutenant Governor's staff that has been super instrumental in working with me with several of the bills that I have. Michelle Kurihara, Annie Aki, Kaleo, and the rest of. Yeah, Chang and the rest of her staff. Sorry, I can't see everybody else up there, but thank you and welcome.

Mahalo, Mr. President.

Senator Keohokalole.

Thank you, Mr. President. Joining us today in the gallery are members of the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association. I'd like to introduce them. And if you can stand, and everyone hold your applause while I call their names. Mike Niethammer, Brad Nicolai, Brandon Campbell, Jerry Romano, Russ Wong, Stan Masamitsu, Keoni Hansen, Pete Luke, Mike Stebner, Angela Wong, Ben Nakaoka, and Ryan Takata.

And I think we might have missed, if we didn't get everybody then everybody please stand up. We'll note your name in the record so you exist forever in the Senate Journal. Welcome to the Senate.

Further introductions. If not, Madam Clerk.

On page one, governor's message number 712. Making corrections to various governors' messages.

File.

On pages two to 33, House communication numbers 179 to 379 transmit various House bills which pass third reading in the House for first reading and referral to committee.

Mr. President, I move that said house bills pass first reading by title and be referred to committee in accordance with the referrals listed on the order of the day.

Senator DeCorte.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried.

On page 34, introduction of measures, Senate concurrent resolution numbers 36 to 50 and Senate resolution numbers 21 to 32 for referral to committee.

So ordered.

Also on page 34, advise and consent.

If there are no objections from the members, we will be taking advice and consent on consent.

Standing Committee report number 1069 on governor's messages 646 and 647 for adoption.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

24 ayes.

Thank you. The nominees for said governor's messages have been confirmed.

Beginning on page 35, third reading.

Back to the governor's messages.

Yes. Yes. Thank you, Mr. President.

After governor? Yes this is regarding governor's messages 646 and 647. Thank you very much. Okay. Mr. President, it's my privilege to congratulate Sunshine Cho, and please stand. And Barbara Tom, please stand. To the Language Access Advisory Council.

Their dedication to advocating for equitable language access ensures that all members of our community, regardless of linguistic background, can fully participate in essential services. Thank you very much for willing to volunteer.

Again, we will be taking third reading bills on consent if there are no objections. Hearing none. Madam Clerk,.

Third reading of Senate Bill 997, Senate Draft 3 relating to energy.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? Senator Awa, Senator DeCorte.

Thank you. SB997SD3 passes third reading.

22 ayes, two no's.

Third reading of Senate Bill 352, Senate Draft 2 relating to pesticides.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations for Senators Richards, Elefante, Inouye McKelvey.

Any no votes?

Is there any discussion?

Thank you. SB352SD2 passes, third reading.

24 ayes.

Third reading of Senate Bill 1396, Senate Draft 3 relating to economic development.

22 ayes, 2 nos.

Thank you. SB1396SD3 passes, third reading.

If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations. Senator Richards, Fukunaga, Inouye, Kim. Any no votes? No votes for Senator Awa, Senator DeCorte.

Third reading of Senate Bill 1589, Senate Draft 3 relating to the Stadium Development Special Fund.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote for Senator Awa, Senator DeCorte.

Thank you. SB1589SD3 passes, third reading.

22 ayes, two no's.

Referrals and re-referrals.

Referrals and Re-referrals are made in accordance with the supplemental orders of the day that may be filed later today.

No further business, Mr. President.

Are there any announcements today?

Senator Fevella.

Today was a very monumental occasion in Ewa Beach. Finally going to start on a new facility with locker rooms, football stadium stands, lights, and everything. I just want to thank my colleagues in this chamber. But one of them, especially in this chamber, Senator Dela Cruz.

Please proceed.

I rise on personal privilege.

When I came to this chamber seven years ago, he asked me what I needed for my community. And I asked him, I needed my football stadium. And he told me how much I needed. And he told me, I told him 37 million. Yeah, it's a funny. It's a joke, right? It's funny.

But he told me that you're not gonna get it. You're not gonna get 37 million. What do you really need? I said, no 37 million. You're not gonna get 37 million. He said, this is not a sprint race, it's a marathon. What do you need to start the project? Said seven million.

And I was really blessed by this chamber and everybody here to getting that 6,290,000 to start. But I don't want to just only talk about our Senator Dela Cruz and how much you can help me.

A lot of guys in this chamber, most of all our LG, Sylvia Luke, who also taught me 10 years ago when I came and demand things from her, not knowing the process, she taught me some of that too. And today it was very a blessing day to see our community come together and finally seeing the most beautiful.

I don't want to be biased, but I'm just sorry, Senator Kim, about the most beautiful football stadium that's ever going to be built. And I want to thank everybody in here, and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke. Thank you, colleagues. Appreciate it. Thank you, Senate President.

At least I know why she's wearing an orange shirt in the gallery this morning now that my eyes can see clearly. Senator DeCoite.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on a point of personal privilege.

Members of the Senate, this Friday, March seventh, we will celebrate the eighth annual tourism day at the capital. I, along with my house counterpart, Representative Tam, will be hosting the special event.

Tourism Day will take place on the fourth floor from nine a.m. to noon, and we invite you to join us in recognizing one of Hawaii's most vital industries, one that supports our economy, provides thousands of jobs, and shares our island's unique culture. Mahalo, and hope to see you all there. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Any further announcements? If not, I believe Senator Moriwaki is going to extend an invitation for any of you who would like to take a picture with Mr. Zed, our contemplator.

He'll be coming back to the floor to take some pictures with her, so she wanted to be sure you knew you were welcome to participate with her. With that, Senator Wakai.

Let's build beautiful stadiums. I move that the Senate stand adjourned until 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. If there are no objections from the members, the Senate will stand adjourned until 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.