House Floor

Will the house come to order? Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.

Mr. Alcos. Ms. Amato. Ms. Belatti. Mr. Chun. Ms. Cochran. Excused. Mr. Evslin. Mr. Garcia. Mr. Garrett. Ms. Grandinetti. Mr. Hashem. Mr. Holt. Mr. Hussey. Mr. Ilagan. Ms. Iwamoto. Ms. Kahaloa. Ms. Kapela. Ms. Kohokapu. Lee Loy. Mr. Kila. Ms. Kitagawa. Mr. Kong. Mr. Kusch. Ms. Lachica. Ms. Lamosao. Mr. Lee. Ms. Lowen. Ms. Marten. Mr. Matayoshi.

Excused. Ms. Matsumoto. Mr. Miyake. Ms. Morikawa. Mr. Muraoka. Ms. Nakamura. Mr. Olds. Ms. Perruso. Mr. Pierick. Ms. Poepoe. Excused.

Mr. Quinlan. Ms. Reyes Oda. Mr. Sayama. Mr. Shimizu. Ms. Souza. Mr. Takayama. Ms. Takenouchi. Mr. Tam. Mr. Tarnas. Ms. Templo. Mr. Todd. Mr. Ward. Excused. Mr. Woodson. Excused.

Mr. Yamashita. Madam Speaker.

Here.

Madam Speaker, 46 Members are present. Five are excused.

Item number two. Reading of the journal. Representative Morikawa.

So ordered. Item number three. Messages from the Governor. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the Governor?

Madam Speaker, may this matter be deferred.

Madam Speaker, there are none.

Item number four. Senate Communications. Mr. Clerk, are there any Senate communications?

Madam Speaker, there are none.

Members, do we have any introductions? Representative Tarnas.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, I would like to introduce some visitors from the district back on Hawaii island in Kamoela. We're very honored today to have visitors from Parker School, which is the Alma mater of both my children. And today we have.

I'm going to call your names, and if you would stand up when I say your name and remain standing while I introduce everybody. From Parker School we have Sophie Canine, Kennedy Grace Magawai, Zoe Russo, Tamar Wessel, Lacey Goble, Hani Tuafua and their teachers, Adya Paulette and Sherry Schmidt. Welcome to your House of Representatives. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Representative Olds.

Representative.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to acknowledge the presence of my super amazing office manager, Susanna, and today we also have a special guest, her daughter, Piper. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Evslin.

Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to welcome today's students from the Hawaii Technology Academy on Kauai who are here for the Hawaii DEI Conference. They are, if you can please rise when I say your name, Cibo Anderson, Stella Arnett, Lola Bresnahan, Siani Cabreros, Alina Evanoff, Amelia Robbins.

And they are accompanied by Erica Arnett and my brother, Nathaniel Evslin. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Reyes Oda.

Thank you Madam Speaker and Members of the House, I am a proud mom, and I want to introduce you to my biggest supporters. Josiah and Jonathan, will you please rise to be recognized by the House.

Members any further introductions? Okay, we will turn next to the order of the day. Item number five, reports of standing committees. Representative Todd.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt standing Committee report numbers 632 through 794 as listed on pages 1 through 40, and that the accompanying House bills, as may be amended, pass second reading and or be referred to their designated committees.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Is there any discussion on these items starting with standing Committee report number 632? Standing Committee report 632? Representative Garcia. No. Next one. Standing Committee report number 633. Representative Garcia. So ordered. Representative Hussey.

In strong support. Just want to note that I'm really concerned about the impact of federal cuts on important public health programs and so I think it's really important that our, that our body move this, this measure forward. Thank you very much.

Any further discussion. Any further discussion on Standing Committee reporter port 633. If not, we'll turn to standing Committee report number 634. Representative Pierick.

In opposition.

Please proceed.

This Bill helps out the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and that part of our government basically isn't doing their job. They're not meeting their goals. So for us to continue to help them along, how we just eliminate that part of the government versus helping them. So I'm voting no.

Standing Committee report number 635. Standing Committee report number 636. Report number 637. Report number 638. Report number 639. Report number 640. Report number 641. Report number 642. Report number 643. Port number 644. Port number 645. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Report number 646. Report number 647. Representative Garcia. With reservations. So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierrick.

Reservations.

So ordered. Standing Committee report number 648. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. When there's time, can you back up to SC report 647, please?

Okay, let's finish. Standing Committee report number 648. Any discussion on 648? If not, we'll go back to Standing Committee report number 647. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Arise in support with reservation and my reservation is with respect to the good chair from Aahaina. The requirement for dual water supply as a condition for permit can be restrictive. So that is my concern, thank you.

Any further discussion in standing Committee report 647. Okay, then we'll continue on to standing Committee report number 649. Representative Perruso.

Representative with reservations and permission to enter written comments, please. So ordered.

Standing Committee reports 650. Standing Committee report 651. Report number 652. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee report number 653. Senate Committee report number 654. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick.

Reservations. So ordered.

Standing Committee report number 655. Representative Garcia. No vote, so ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Arising opposition with a brief comment please.

Please proceed.

Just thinking that the increase in taxes is already creating hardship for cost of living. That's my concern. Thank you.

Representative Matsumoto.

Reservations so ordered.

Representative Reyes, Oda.

Reservations.

So ordered. Standing Committee Report 656. Standing Committee Report 657. Standing Committee Report 658. Standing Committee Report 659. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Same request so ordered.

Representative Pierick.

No vote, so ordered.

Turning to standing Committee report. Oh, Representative Alcos. Okay. Standing Committee report 660. Report number 661. Report number 662. Report number 663. Representative Garcia. With reservations. So ordered. Report number 664. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Alcos. No vote. So ordered.

Representative Shimizu. With reservations. So ordered. Representative Pierick. In opposition.

Please proceed.

So this Bill basically prohibits hotels from using small use plastics and you know, shampoos and conditioners and things like that. If a product is cheaper for the hotel, let's say a big bottle of shampoo versus a small bottle, let the open market dictate their choices and purchases.

So if they want to save money as a hotel, then they can buy the big bottles of shampoo versus the small bottles. It's the same with cars. Like I own a Prius now because I believe in all the green energy stuff but. But because it's cheaper. It has 350,000 miles.

I can spend like you know, $50 and go 560 miles. It's cheaper and so I choose that option. So let's let the free market dictate how the hotels run their businesses versus us telling them how to do it.

Representative Tam?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support.

Please proceed.

The Bill that is before us is trying to eliminate many of the plastic waste that is going around in our environment. Many of our hoteliers have already switched to reusable containers and it has been very cost efficient for them and they understand the value by it.

There's only two individuals that submitted testimony in opposition and none of them represented hotels. Thank you.

Any further discussion on 664? Okay, Members, we're going to turn now to report number 665. Port number 666. Representative Garcia?

666. No vote.

Any further discussion? Turning to San Diego, report number 667. Report number 668. Point number 669. Representative Perruso.

Actually, Madam Speaker, if we could go back to SCR 646 when we have a moment.

Okay, let's finish up on standing Committee report number 669. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No vote.

So ordered. Any further discussion on 669? Representative Matsumoto. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Arise in support with reservations. I believe this is a very creative and interesting idea and I give credit to the introducer, the honorable Vice Speaker. I agree that tours should pay more, but I feel like this is too much of an increase that would affect our tourist industry.

I feel that this is a very significant change and should require more review and coordination before implementation. With all due respect, thank you.

Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Tam.

Thank you Madam Speaker, in support. Please proceed. I just want to clarify that this Bill as it's written right now, only applies to those that are using points, miles, and rewards programs to book their hotel rooms. And if their hotel rooms are zero, they currently pay almost zero in TAT tax.

This just basically says that they need a minimum of $20. This is just basically a minimum of $20 per night if people are not. If visitors are not paying any tat tax because they're using points.

Any further discussion on standing Committee report 669? Okay, seeing none. We will turn back to page five on standing Committee report number 646. Representative Perruso, thank you so much.

Madam Speaker. No on HB222. And I'd like to insert written comments, please. So ordered.

Any further discussion on standing Committee report 646? Okay, seeing none. We'll turn back to page 10. Standing Committee report number 670. Report number 671. Port number 672. Port number 673. Port number 674. Port number 675. Representative Garcia. Reservations. So ordered. Port number 676. Port number 677. Representative Garcia. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No. No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Although I totally agree with the desire to bring our people home.

Are you in opposition?

I'm sorry. I rise in opposition. Brief comments, please.

Please proceed.

As I was saying, I believe that we should be bringing our people home. But the no vote is just a reality of the space limitations that the Director of DCR expressed, and I just want to. I'm sorry.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Recess.

Will the House come to order? Representative Shimizu, would you like to withdraw those comments and insert them on a different Bill?

My apologies. Yes, I'd like to just withdraw and sit down right now.

And to confirm Representative Shimizu on Standing Committee report number 667. Would you like to register a vote in support with reservations in opposition? I want to make sure we get your vote correct.

Madam Speaker, I apologize for the my confusion. What SCR are we on right now?

Standing Committee report 677, page 12.

I'm going to just be silent at this point and sit. Thank you.

Thank you. Representative Shimizu. Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered.

Representative Kong.

With reservations.

So ordered. Is there any further discussion on Standing Committee report number 677? Okay, seeing Non Standing Committee report number 678. Standing Committee report number 679. Report number 680.

Representative Garcia.

On 679.

I could please adopt. I'm sorry. In support, Madam Speaker. Thank you. In fact, could please adopt the words of the representative from Kona into. Into the journal as my own. And I'd like to additionally add that actually most houses individuals are. Are local families who actually do pay. They. They. They do pay taxes.

Standing Committee 679. Representative Garcia. With reservations. So ordered. Any further discussion on 679? Representative Shimizu?

679 with reservations.

So ordered. Okay, turning next to Standing Committee report number 680. Standing Committee report 681. Standing Committee report 682. Standing Committee report number 683. Port number 684. Report number 685. Port number 686. Port number 687. Port number 688. Port number 689. Port number 690. Port number 691. Representative Belatti.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, with reservations. Please proceed. A brief comment. My reservations is that this is a Bill that is a work in progress and I expect that as a critical Bill on the follow up of the Maui Wildfires. We will be looking very closely at this. Some areas of concern remain.

The placement of the office of the State Fire Marshal as well as the duties that we are going to be allocating to that office. All of this is very important because of the findings and recommendations from the FSRI report. And so as. As I stated with reservations.

But I expect that there will continue to be much discussion and dialogue about this Bill. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Case turning to Standing Committee reporter. Port number 692. Port number 693. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Report number 694. Report number 695. Port number 696. Port number 697. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition with brief comments. Please.

Please proceed.

With respect to the introducer, the good representative from Nanakuli, I believe this Bill creates overlap with the existing Gun violence and Violent Crimes Commission. So I'd like to see the implementation of the ideas submitted to the existing Commission. Please. Thank you.

Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Representative Souza. No vote. So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

Reservations so ordered.

Okay, turning to Standing Committee report number 698. Representative Garcia.

Reservations so ordered.

Standing Committee report 699. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee report number 700. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda. No vote. So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

With reservations, please.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto. Same request. So ordered. Representative Alcos. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee report number 701. Represent Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Standing Committee report 702. Report number 703. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Amato.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee Report number 704. Report number 705. Report number 706. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Amato. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee Report number 707. Report number 708. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Representative 7. Standing Committee Report 709. Report number 710. Port number 711. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered.

Representative Muraoka.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Representative Alcos. With reservations. So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

Reservations. So ordered.

Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations. So ordered.

Report number 712. Port number 713. Representative Garcia. With reservations. So ordered. Report number 714. Representative Amato. No vote. So ordered. Representative Lowen.

With reservations. So ordered.

Report number 715. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee report number 716. Report number 717. Representative Amato.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Reservations. So ordered.

Representative Perruso. When we have a moment, Madam Speaker, can we go back to HB 1323, which is two SCRs above this one? I think it's SCR. 715.

What is the Bill number? Representative Perruso.

1323.

Okay, that's standing Committee report number 714. So let's finish on standing Committee report 717 and then we'll go back. Any further discussion on Standing Committee report number 717? Okay. Seeing none. We'll go back to Standing Committee report number 714. Representative Perruso, my apologies. With reservations, please. So ordered. Any further discussion on standing Committee report 714.

Okay, seeing none. And we'll go back to standing Committee report 718. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee report 719. Report number 720. Port number 721. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No vote. So ordered.

Representative Reyes Oda. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Representative Alcos. No vote. So ordered. Representative Matsumoto. Same request. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Arising opposition. With brief comment. Please.

Please proceed.

I agree it's a good idea. And with respect to the good representative from ULA, I think the reason was there wasn't enough community involvement and there was a lot of community opposition which they felt they weren't involved in the process and not communicated with. So thank you.

Representative Perruso. With reservations. So ordered. Standing Committee report number 722. Port number 723. Port number 724. Port number 725. Representative Garcia, reservations. So ordered. Report number 726. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos. No vote. So ordered. Representative Matsumoto. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Representative Hussey.

Strong support. Due process is a real basic expectation of a constitutional democracy and I think it should be afforded to all individuals. Thank you very much.

Representative Garcia, a second time. In opposition. Please proceed.

Due process should be given to all American citizens, not illegal immigrants. Thank you.

Representative Pierick.

In opposition. Please proceed. The 14th amendment of a US constitution was framed by US citizens intended for US citizens. This Bill encompasses non US citizens.

Seeing no further discussion, we're going to go next to Standing Committee report number 727. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations.

Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in support. With reservations and a brief comment, please.

Please proceed.

With. With respect to my great chair from Kohala, my reservation is based on the opposition testimony from the Hawaii Paroling Authority and the prosecuting attorney. Thank you.

Turning next to Standing Committee Report number 728. Standing Committee Report 729. Report number 730. Report number 731. Report number 732. Report number 733. Report number 734. Port number 735. Representative Garcia. Reservations. So ordered. Report number 736. Report number 737. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Parrott. In opposition. Please proceed.

The State of Hawaii has a bad landlord tenant code and this Bill seeks to advocate for the tenant in the landlord tenant code. Basically, you know, sometimes residents can rent a home for the landlord, not pay rent.

And when they're supposed to be kicked out of their house because they're not paying rent, the landlord gets tied up with bad laws like these. Protecting the tenant when the landlord needs to pay off his mortgage to keep the house. So I'm voting no.

Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Hussey.

At the appropriate time, I'd like to Please return to SCR 726.

Okay, we'll finish up 737 first and then go back. Any further discussion on 737? Representative Matsumoto. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Shimizu. With reservations. So ordered. Representative Moroka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Kong, Mr.

Reservations. So ordered.

Any further discussion on standing Committee report 737? Okay, seeing none. We'll go back to standing Committee Report 726 on page 24. Representative Hussey, thank you for your indulgence.

Madam Speaker. Like to briefly address myself to. I guess to respond to comments made earlier by Representative from Eva.

And I wanted to just correct the record about the language of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution which says that nor shall any State deprive any person, not citizen of life, liberty or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction equal protection of the laws. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Representative Hussey still in support. Any further discussion on Standing Committee report number 626. Representative Souza?

In support, Madam Speaker and can I please enter the words of the representative from Kalihi Valley into the record as my own? Thank you.

So ordered.

Representative Tam, same request.

So ordered. Okay, we will return to standing Committee report 738. Standing Committee report 739. Representative Garcia. With reservations. So ordered. Standing Committee report 740. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in support. With reservations and brief comment. Please.

Please proceed.

With respect to the good representative from Lihui, my reservation is based on the opposition testimony from DAGs and also concerns from DPP and the County of Hawaii on the, excuse me, the two year implementation.

Thank you, Representative Belatti. Thank you. With reservations and may I have the words of the previous speaker entered as if they were my own.

So ordered.

Representative Lee Loy.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Rise with reservation and comment. Please proceed. I do appreciate that this is a work work in progress and the hard work by the distinguished gentlemen from Kauai and from Kohala. But currently, as written, this Bill does not allow for indigenous architecture.

It's very important for Hawaii as a state to allow for these types of products. An indigenous reflection within our state assets. Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the ability to comment. Representative Peruso, with reservations. So ordered.

Representative Kapela. With reservations and if possible, may I adopt the words of the Representative from Hilo as if they were my own?

So ordered. Representative Souza.

Same request. Thank you.

So ordered. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto. Reservations. So ordered. Senate Committee Report number 741. Report number 742. Report number 743. Report number 744. Report number 745. Report number 746. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick? No vote. So ordered. Representative Alcos. No vote. So ordered. Representative Matsumoto. No vote. So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Moraoka.

So ordered.

No vote.

Representative Shimizu. With reservations, please.

So ordered. Standing Committee report 747. Representative Garcia, reservations. So ordered. Representative Kong.

No vote.

So ordered. Standing Committee report 748. Representative Matsumoto. With reservations. So ordered.

Permission to insert comments into the journal. So ordered. I just have some concerns about the payment structure and the cost it will be to the hotels. Thank you.

Standing Committee report number 749. Oh, excuse me. Representative Shimizu, are you on 748?

Yes, please. Thank you. Thank you. Speaker, I rise in support with reservations. My reservation and concern is regarding the penalties or non compliance.

Any further discussion on standing Committee report 748. Okay. Turning to standing Committee report 749. 750. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Amato. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee report 751. Standing Committee report 752. Report number 753. Report number 754. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Port number 755. Port number 756. Port number 757. Port number 758. Representative Pierick in opposition. Please proceed.

My understanding is that this Bill would give the Department of Education $2 million to manage a surfing program. I love surfing. I surf this morning. My surfboard's on the car right now. I was probably eight years old when some homeschool friends taught me a homeschooler, how to surf.

But we didn't ask the state for $2 million to help us to surf. We just did it on our own. So I don't think we should be using tax dollars for this.

Standing Committee report number 759. Standing Committee report 760. Port number 761. Port number 762. Port number 763. Port number 764. Representative Pierrick. No vote. So ordered. Report number 765. Representative Muraoka. Opposition. Please proceed.

So in Committee, our state homeless coordinator had informed our Committee that this Bill, not only does it. Excuse me, the Kahali initiative is supposed to be helping with our homeless issue. Instead, this Bill with the with the money would go to permanent housing as well as halfway homes disguised as Kahali, according to our homeless coordinator and Committee.

With that, I'm strong. Strong opposition.

Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick. In opposition. Please proceed.

In echoing the concerns of the speaker from Waianae. This Bill would ask for $50 million to house permanently homeless people. So that means we're going to ask for the taxpayer money of 1.1 million residents that do pay state income tax.

We're going to reallocate that into a pot of money for $50 million to give it towards people that aren't trying. They're not working, they're not paying taxes, and we're going to house them. That's not fair. Everybody should get a job, go to work, and then they can pay their own rent.

Representative Marten. In strong support.

Speaker, please proceed. So the definition of what Kauhali is, is much more nuanced and broad than that.

Basically, it is housing that provides services, emotional social support, as well as services to help people get ready for jobs, to be ready to get a Section 8 voucher, to get drug treatment, mental health care, whatever it is, they need to get back on their feet, if they are able to get back on their feet, meeting them where they are.

So it's not one particular type of, of people in a certain situation that it targets. It targets a broad range with the idea of making them as independent as possible.

Any further discussion on standing Committee report? Representative Muraoka a second time.

Madam Speaker, the term kahale means village living.

Still in opposition.

Still in opposition. Still in strong opposition.

Thank you, Representative Pierick. Second time, opposition.

Just to clarify, you know, comment from a previous speech. The idea of giving, you know, homeless people $50 million to have houses, that's not enabling them to be as independent as possible. Telling them get a job and pay for your own rent. That's getting them as independent as possible.

Representative Souza.

Thank you Madam Speaker. In support. And can I please enter the words of the representative from the District 51 into the record is my own. So ordered. Thank you. At the appropriate time, can we go back to standing Committee report number 750?

750. Let's finish up 6, 765 first. Any further discussion? Representative Kapela?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In strong support, I would just like to adopt the words of our Human Services chair as if they were my own. And then also add that Kahale to, to have a village means that we as a state have to be a village for those who need support.

Any further discussion? Standing Committee report 765. Representative Hussy.

Please adopt, I'm sorry in support Madam Speaker, thank you. In fact please adopt the words of the Representative from Kona into the journal as my own, and I'd like to additionally add that, actually, most houses' individuals are local families who actually do pay they, they do pay taxes.

They simply cannot afford the cost of living in our very expensive homeland. So I do support this measure. But I'm sorry. One additional thing is that I know that there's a lot of concern in my district that Kalihi has a lot of these sort of transitional housing.

And I do hope that in the future iterations of this program that it will be evenly distributed across our state.

Thank you very much, Representative Tam.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support, I would just like to have the words of our Human Services chair inserted into the journal and as if they are my own. And additionally, I want to add that this is not a handout.

This is an investment to ensure that people can join our society and become working individuals to help our society move forward.

So ordered. Representative Olds.

I rise in strong support.

Please proceed.

As somebody who's actually worked with the homeless for the last 10 years, I can honestly say that traditional bridge and permanent supportive housing predominantly are people who are making money. So they are working. They do collect income which so they're getting taxed and do spend that money in our communities. This is a way to help people.

Go up the ladder of out of homelessness into permanent housing. Thank you.

Members. Any further discussion on standing Committee report 765. Representative Amato.

Thank you Madam Speaker, in support and I'd like to adopt the words of the Human Services Vice Chair as if they were my own.

So ordered. Okay. Seeing no further discussion on Standing Committee report number 765. We'll turn back to standing Committee report 750 on page 29. Representative Souza. Thank you, Madam Speaker. No vote. So ordered. Is there any further discussion on standing Committee report 750? Okay, saying none. We'll go back to page 33 on standing Committee report number 766.

Standing Committee reports 767. Representative Garcia.

766.

On standing Committee report 766. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee report 767. Standing Committee report 768. Representative Garcia. No vote, so ordered. Representative Pierick. No vote, so ordered. Standing Committee Report 769. Representative Amato. Reservation. So ordered. Representative Garcia.

Same request.

So ordered. Standing Committee report 770. Report number 771. Report number 772. Representative Garcia. Reservations. So ordered. Standing Committee. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Arise in opposition with brief comment, please.

Please proceed.

This is a very good idea. We need to be prepared for disasters. But I think that we need more analysis and study before this Bill is implemented. In Committee hearing, there was no cost estimate of what these structures would entail. So it would be a good idea to have that information going forward. Thank you.

Members. Any further discussion? Standing Committee report 772. Okay. Turning to standing Committee report 773. Report number 774. Port number 775. Representative Garcia.

With reservations, so ordered.

Representative Holt.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, no vote.

So ordered. Standing Committee Report 776. Representative Amato. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee Report. Oh, Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee report 777. Standing Committee report 778. Standing Committee report 779. Standing Committee report 780. Representative Pierick. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Amato. Reservation. So ordered. Standing Committee report 781. Standing Committee. Oh.

Senate Committee report 781. Representative Amato. Reservations. So ordered. Standing Committee report 782. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee Report 783. Standing Committee Report 784. Representative Garcia, reservations. So ordered. Standing Committee Report 785. Standing Committee Reports 786. Standing Committee Report 787. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote, so ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker I rise in support. with reservations and a brief comment please.

This is a good Bill. I thank the good representative from Lihuia again. To protect our Developers and construction industry and promote housing development. My concern is based on the shortened limits for claims. Thank you.

Please proceed.

Representative Alcos. With reservations. Representative Perruso. With reservations, please. So ordered. Standing Committee reports 788. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Kong. No vote. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick?

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos. No vote. So ordered. Standing Committee report 789. Standing Committee reports 790. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Pierick. In opposition. Please proceed.

This Bill encourages our inmates. It's basically people from Hawaii who break the rules. This Bill basically encourages them to stay in Hawaii in our prisons. But it costs $160 to keep these inmates on the mainland. It costs $307 to keep these inmates on Oahu.

So why should we, you know, burden the taxpayer with the Bill of doubling their bed, basically their hotel stay, their prison cell, their prison stay by paying all this extra money to keep them here when we can more cheaply export these prisoners to the mainland and have them house in a more inexpensive prison over there.

Representative Reyes Oda. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Muraoka?

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you. Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition with a brief comment, please.

Please proceed.

Although I totally want our people to be brought back home and be close to their families, the opposition is just a reality of the limited space that we have and the physical restrictions that we have. And I guess that opens up the larger conversation on how do we address that situation, but I appreciate chance to share.

Thank you.

Representative Matsumoto. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Alcos. No vote, so ordered. Turning next to standing Committee report 791. Representative Reyes Oda.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Moroka. No vote. So ordered.

Representative Pierick. In opposition.

Please proceed.

This Bill would legalize a form of gambling in our state. Hawaii is one of only two states in the nation that has zero form of gambling which is legal. Hawaii and Utah. Let's keep Hawaii safe by not allowing this form of bad habit to be privileged to the community.

Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Alcos?

No vote.

So ordered.

Representative Perruso. No, Madam Speaker, no vote and I'd like to insert written comments but I would like to on the floor say that while I'm grateful for the bodies attention to the need to generate revenue, it's important, I think that we really focus on progressive tax revenue generators.

And if you look at the data, the longitudinal studies, there's clear evidence, overwhelming evidence in fact, that low income and middle income community Members are generally generating all of the revenue around gambling in those jurisdictions. So for reasons that I'll further outline in my written comments, I'm a no vote. Thanks. So ordered. Representative Lamasao.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. With reservations. So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in strong opposition with comment. Please.

Please proceed.

Although I acknowledge there are budgetary concerns and I am very aware of those things and the creative ways we need to address that situation, I firmly believe gambling is harmful and will significantly hurt and damage the special and intricate fabric of our aloha and our people. So I rise in opposition. Thank you.

Representative Grandinetti.

No vote and I'd like to adopt the words of the representative from Wahiawa in the Journal as my own.

So ordered. Representative Martin.

No vote, please.

Representative, so ordered. Representative Takayama.

No vote, please.

So ordered. Representative Kapela. In request. So ordered.

Representative Tam. With reservations.

So ordered.

Representative Belatti. Madam Speaker, persuaded by the words of the Representative from Waihiawa. So in opposition. And may I have the words of the representative of Wahiawa adopted as my own. Thank you. So ordered.

Okay, there's no further discussion on Standing Committee Report 791. We will turn to Standing Committee Report 792. Standing Committee Report 793. Standing Committee Report 793. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Standing Committee report number 794. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered.

Representative Kong. With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Amato. With reservations. So ordered. Representative Hussey. In opposition.

And with the request to please introduce remarks into the Journal.

Thank you.

So ordered.

Representative Perruso. Same request. So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

Same request.

So ordered.

Representative Pierick. In opposition.

Please proceed.

This Bill would require midwives to be licensed and other things in our state. It's basically a regulation on the process of giving birth. So I was born at home. My mom and dad were there no other medical procedures, with all my siblings, the same process. My sister and her four kids, same process. She's pregnant with her fifth.

She's expecting. The same process. They're not trying to have all this government and Western medicine intervention in the birthing process. We have wonderful groups in our island called Birth Believers and others that don't want licensure requirements on their birthing process.

If we look at it from a religious perspective, we have people being birthed in the Bible, you know, for many thousands of years, and they weren't requiring licensure. So I'm against this kind of regulation.

Representative Belatti.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. With reservations and brief comments, please proceed. Madam Speaker, I appreciate that we're moving this Bill forward. It's necessary because we need to address this issue and this gap in licensure that will occur if we do not act.

The two areas of concerns that I have as this moves forward is to ensure that we have the appropriate pathway so that local practitioners can find a way to be able to be properly licensed and recognized under this law.

And then the second area of concern I have is around the area of cultural and religious protections as they are insured by the Hawaii's state constitution, and if this regulatory scheme actually realizes and respects those constitutional protections. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Representative Souza?

With reservations, Madam Speaker. And can I please have the words of the representative from Makiki inserted into the record as my own?

So ordered. Thank you, Representative Takayama.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support.

Please proceed.

Madam Speaker, this measure before us is important to preserve women's rights to choose their preferred method of safe birth, whether at home or in hospitals.

It does so by enacting professional standards of training, experience and knowledge for midwives so that expectant mothers can be assured of safe quality of care when they choose to utilize the services of a certified midwife, just as when they see an obstetrician or advanced practice nurse.

At the same time, this measure fully recognizes the role of Native Hawaiian traditional practices performed by traditional Hawaiian healers, and it does so by providing them broad exemptions from this Bill.

Madam Speaker, this measure responds to the concerns your Committee heard during our hearing on this and an alternative measure, HB 1328, a hearing which lasted more than three hours and received more than 1400 pieces of testimony. I ask my colleagues to support this measure and enable the discussion on this important issue to move forward.

Thank you, Representative Marten. Thank you. Rising and strong support. Please proceed. I wanted to note that this measure is primarily a scope of practice for licensed midwives, allowing them to practice to the full extent of their training, which is very extensive and allows them to prescribe drugs, to do diagnoses, to attend births in birthing centers.

So really expanding the options for women in our state to choose from. I'm particularly grateful that this version of the Bill is very well written and does not inadvertently impact other professions, such as doulas, lactation consultants, and has, as the Chair of Health mentioned, a very broad exemption for Native Hawaiian traditional practices.

As it is written in its current form, anybody who is of Native Hawaiian descent, regardless of whether they have had any training or no training at all, is able to call themselves a native Hawaiian practitioner and practice.

In addition, should somebody of whatever descent be accepted by a Kupuna Council under Papa Olokahi and do the training that they require to be a proficient traditional Hawaiian healer, that is also allowed under this. Thank you.

Members any further discussion on standing Committee report 794? Okay. Saying none. We'll be calling for the voice vote on these measures. All those in favor, please say aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. Item number six, introduction of resolutions. Mr. Clerk, are there any resolutions for action?

Madam Speaker, there are no resolutions for action. May all others be referred to print.

So ordered. Item number seven. Members, are there any announcements? Representative Kila.

Madam Speaker, if you would allow me, from the tallest Member of the Legislature to the shortest Member of the Legislature, could we all give a warm Happy Birthday to the Representative from Waipahu?

Very Happy Birthday, Representative Souza.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just wanted to recognize that this morning I had the privilege of attending the grand opening of Don Don Donkey in District 43 in the heart of Kapolei. And it is a brand off of the Don Quixote brand and they have their formal grand opening today was a pre VIP opening.

And so therefore I'm inviting all of you to come and stimulate the local economy in Kapolei this weekend and support all of our businesses, not just Fondant Donkey. But thank you Happy Valentine's Day.

Representative Reyes Oda.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In honor of Valentine's Day for everybody in the house, if you exit out of this door here my, my crew of sons and I will be having a big platter of cookies. For anybody who would like to take any. Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Reyes Oda. Members, any further announcements? Seeing none. For the motion to adjourn. Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I move that this House stand adjourned until 12:00 noon Tuesday.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. The House stands adjourned until 12:00 noon Tuesday.