House Floor

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

[Roll Call]

Item number two, reading of the journal. Representative Morikawa. Madam Speaker, may this matter be deferred. So ordered. Item number three. Messages from the Governor. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the Governor?

Madam Speaker, there are none.

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

Yes. Madam Speaker, we are in receipt of a communication returning house Bill number 1440 HD1, having passed third reading in the Senate. We are in further receipt of communications transmitting the noted Senate bills. All having passed third reading in the Senate.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I move that the Senate bills laying on the Clerk's desk pass first reading by title.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

It has been moved and seconded that the Senate bills laying on the Clerk's desk pass first reading by title. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. The Members. Any introductions today? Representative Hussy.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to honor three young chiefs from Kalihi Valley who are here in our audience today. They're coming here to the Capitol to talk to all of us about the importance of social programs that uplift our young people and our working families.

So, please, if you wouldn't mind standing when I call your names. I'd like to please introduce Eric, an 8th grader at Dole Rylan, an 8th grader at Dole, and Polly, who is a 7th grader at Dole, but he's the tallest of the group. And so, please, welcome to your House of Representatives. Mahalo.

Representative Olds.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. With respect to the time needed for the order of the day, I will paraphrase I would like to acknowledge the advocates and organizations attending today's working families day 2025 for their commitment to improving the lives of Hawaii's Ohana and Keiki. It is vital work and they're doing an awesome job.

If you have a chance, we encourage you to check out the resource fair happening from 9 to 1pm on the fourth floor and join the rally and press conference at the Rotunda at 1:15 President Gallery are key leaders who make Working Families Day happen, and I'd like to honor them. Please stand when I call your name.

Deborah Zeisman with HCAN Speaks. Sergio Alcabila with the Hawaii Workers Center. Mike Nguyen with Aloha Care. Angela Mercado with the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. And Yung Hee Overlee with the American Association of University Women Hawaii. Mahalo and welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Shimizu.

Thank you. Madam Speaker. I'd like to introduce two special guests, probably the two most special people in my life right now. My wife, Joy. Would you please stand? And my daughter, Taryn. Without them, I would not have made it here. So welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Kapela.

I'm not sure if she's in the audience today. I'm sure she's around and likely on the fourth floor. But I think it's important for us to shout out one of the incredible organizers who really made today possible. Mele Andrade from the Hawaii Children's Action Network. Mahalo for all the work that you've done.

Members, any further introductions? Okay, then, we'll move on to the order of the day. Item number five, reports of standing committees. Representative Morikawa. For the motion to suspend the rules.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules of the House in order to consider certain House bills for third reading by consent Calendar.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Members, any questions? All those in favor, please say aye. All those opposed, say no. The motion is carried. Representative Todd.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee report numbers 901 through 946 as listed on pages 2 through 11, and that the accompanying House Bill is past third reading.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Okay, Members, are there any discussion. Is there any discussion on these items beginning with Standing Committee report number 901? Representative Belatti.

Thank you. With reservations. Brief comment, please proceed. Madam Speaker. Reservations based on previous comments related to the Affordable Care Act and the Prepaid Care Health Care Act. But I'd also like to limit my reservations because of the complex area of the law that this Bill addresses.

I support fertility preservation, in vitro fertilization, so services 100% and believe coverage should be something that is available to all. There's not much that I agree with coming out of Washington, D.C. these days.

But with even the latest Executive order around infertility procedures and possibly coverage for these procedures, if there is in fact a mandate that comes from the Federal Government, this would in fact, then preserve our prepaid Health Care act. And so, in this area of fertility services, I just again continue to urge caution. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Okay. Standing Committee report number 902. Report number 903. Report number 904. 905. 906907. Representative Garcia, reservations so ordered. Standing Committee report 908. Standing Committee report 909. Number 910. Representative Shimizu, on 909.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition. Thank you.

Any further discussion on standing Committee report 909? Okay, we'll turn to number report number 910 911 912 913 914. Representative Iwamoto,

Madam Speaker, with reservations.

So ordered. Standing Committee Report 9159-169179-18919. Standing Committee Report 920 921 922 923 Standing Committee Report 924 925 926 927 927. Representative Shimizu.

Opposed. Thank you.

So ordered. Any further discussion in standing Committee report 927? Okay. Turning to standing Committee report 928. Committee report 929 930 931 932 933. Standing Committee report 934 935 936 937. Standing Committee report 938 939 940.

941. Top of page 11. Standing Committee report 942 943 944 945 946. Representative Morikawa for the vote.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the measures before us, all majority Members vote aye, with the exception of the following on page 3. Stand come report number 905 HB number 441 HD 2. Rep Kong votes no. On page 6 Standcom report number 922 HB number 1166. HD 1 Rep Amato votes no. On page 7. Standcom report number 928.

HB number 235, HD 1. Rep. Amato Votes to no. On page 8, Standcom report number 930. HB number 697, HD 2. The following vote no. Amato Kong. On page 10, Standcom report number 938. HB number 422. HD 1. Rep. Peruso votes no. Thank you, Representative Garcia.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the measures before us, all minority Members vote aye with the exception of the following on page 3. SCR909, HB159. House draft 1. Rep. Shimizu votes no. On page 6. SCR922. HB 1166. House draft 1. Reps. Alos and Garcia vote no. Page 7. SCR927. HB228. House draft 1. Rep. SHIMIZU votes no.

And Garcia votes no. SCR928. HB235. House draft 1. Reps. Aukos and Garcia vote no. Age 8. SCR930. HB697. House draft 2. Reps. Alos, Garcia and Souza vote no. Age 9. SCR934. HB1161. House draft 2. Reps. Aukos, Garcia, Moraoka and Reyes. Oda Votes no. Age 10. SCR 939. HB 548 House Draft 1. Reps.

Garcia, Matsumoto, Moro, Shimizu and raise ODA votes no.

Members, have all votes been cast? Representative Shimizu. I'm sorry, Souza. Representative Souza.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, I would like to register. A no vote on page six of the order of the day. Sancom report number 922 to House Bill number 1166, House draft one. Thank you.

Okay. No vote for Rep. Shimizu on Standing Committee report number nine. Sousa. Sousa. Representative Souza. Standing Committee report 922, no vote. Thank you, Rep. Souza. Members, have all votes been cast? Okay, if so, said bills pass. Third reading. Now we're at the top of page 12. Representative Todd.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee report numbers 947 through 989 as listed on pages 12 through 21, and that the accompanying House bills pass. Third reading.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker.

Second the motion Members, are there any discussion on these items beginning with Standing Committee Report number 947? Report number 948. Report 949. Report 950 951 952 953. Representative Garcia, reservations so ordered. Standing Committee Report 954. Representative Garcia.

Reservations so ordered.

Representative Shimizu.

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

Please proceed.

I am totally in support of protecting our Keiki from harmful products. The reservation is protecting the economic viability of businesses who will be affected. And there is a balance between protection and supporting economic growth and viability. Because those businesses that get affected might join the list of those in need. I yield. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Any further discussions? Dining Committee report 954. Okay. Turning to report number 955. Report number 956 957 958 959 960 961 962 963 964. Standing Committee report 965. Representative Chun.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support, request to insert written comments into the journal.

So ordered.

Thank you.

Standing Committee report number 966. Representative Chen.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support request, insert comments.

So ordered.

Thanks.

Standing Committee report 967 968 969. Standing Committee report 970. 971 971. Representative Garcia.

Reservations so ordered.

Report number 972. Representative Reyes. Oda. Reservations so ordered. Standing Committee report number 973. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Would we be able to go back to 972? Please?

Okay, let's finish up. Standing Committee report number 973. Members, any discussion? Okay, saying none. Then we'll go back to standing Committee report 972. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition just with brief comments. Please. Please proceed. Thank you. I believe in helping people. That's why I'm here. My concern is to afford non citizens to receive Medicaid coverage. And I would suggest that there are other options that would be able to address specifically those in need. Those are my comments.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I yield.

Representative Marten.

Thank you, Speaker. In support. This bill would cover about 500 pregnant women who to receive prenatal services the minute those babies are born. They are US Citizens and we would like them to have a good start in life. And save us money by having that prenatal care that prevents bad outcomes at birth.

Thank you, Representative Peruso.

In support. Please proceed. To follow up on what the previous speaker was mentioning. I think it's important that we talk about what it really looks like to. To support life and to support families.

And we know that right now hundreds of pregnant women in Hawaii are denied Medicare coverage not because they don't need it, not because they don't qualify financially, but simply because of their immigration status. And these are people who are living and working and contributing to our communities, yet we're denying them life saving prenatal care.

This bill is important because the cost of inaction is severe. Without prenatal care, we know that babies are at a much higher risk of premature birth and neonatal death. And we also know that we spend up to $8,000 a day on neonatal intensive care when those costs can easily be prevented with basic early intervention.

This bill is not just about. It's not just the right thing to do morally, but it's also the smart thing to do financially. I know and I've heard that some of my Republican colleagues question whether we should extend public benefits to non citizens. And I welcome that debate.

But before we get there, I think that we should ask. Should any baby born in Hawaii, regardless of their parents status, be set up for failure from the start? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Representative Shimizu, second time.

Thank you Madam Speaker. Thank you. Thank you representatives for sharing that important information.

Still in opposition.

I would like to change my opposition to support. Thank you.

Representative Alocs.

Madam Speaker, when you have time, can we go Back to page 15? 963.

Okay. At the appropriate time, let's finish up. Standing Committee report number 972. Representative Bellati.

Thank you and strong support. And may I have the words of the representative from Wahiawa entered into the journal as if they were my own.

Thank you. So ordered. Representative Souza.

And strong support. Same request, so ordered.

Thank you, Representative Amato. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Same request, so ordered. Representative Kapela. Same request, so ordered. Representative Hussy.

Same request, so ordered.

Members, any further discussion on standing Committee report number 972? If not, then we will turn to page 15. Standing Committee report 970.

963.

963. San Diego report 963.

Representative Alcos, I oppose on this bill. I like this bill because it helping the youth and finding a safe house for our kids and our kids is very important on it. And I like the intent of this bill, but I want to work with is that families don't.

The parents don't have a right to know where your child is for 90 days. If your child run away and you take away their phone and they feel like it's the end of the world. And as a parent and my wife will be telling me to find my daughter. Where is she? She cannot sleep.

At night, there'll be anxiety going over, stress on the family. Just not knowing where your child is.

I would like to see this bill have more parents right to understand that they're safe, they're in a good place, and we can work with knowing where they are in K or 90 days, not knowing where they are, or 60 days, just even one day.

We just want to know that our kids are safe and parents have a right to know where the kids are.

Thank you, Representative Tam.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

In support. Please proceed.

This bill codifies the state Safe Spaces for Youth program, which sunsets this summer. It's a very widely successful program that started with Act 130 in 2022. This primarily is about establishing youth homeless shelters. It's not about a bill that will allow runaway kids to just hide away from their parents.

I think that that would constitute probably like a very small minority of children. And even if they are running away from their parents, it's better for them to be in a shelter where they're safe than on the streets where they can be subjected to violence.

I also want to make mention that we do not make policy that will affect the vast majority of many of our runaway youth who could potentially be leaving households riddled with domestic violence or other harmful things only because 2% or 3% run away because their cell phone was taken away. That's bad policy.

Also want to point out that according to the National Network of Youth Communities that establishing safe spaces for homeless youth reports higher success rates in terms of improved housing stability, increased school enrollment, and a reduction in risky behavior behavior. Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

Representative Kapela. Thank you, Madam Speaker. In strong support, Please proceed.

I recently had the privilege of visiting an opening of one of these safe spaces on Hawaii Island. At this opening, there was a young woman who shared her story as a homeless youth.

The really touching thing about this, while I watched this young woman shake uncontrollably to the point where someone from the shelter had to come and stand and hold her as she delivered this speech, talking about the pain that she experienced as a homeless youth, talking about within one day when her entire family became homeless, how her life changed, how she lived on the streets in a tent at 13 years old with her parents.

And. And the thing that stuck out the most was that it was actually her father who was the person who turned her and her three younger siblings over to the state to a safe space like this with the neighborhood friends of Puna so that they could have an opportunity to not have lice, to go to school to be fed.

Spaces like this save lives. Because that young woman might not be alive. She might not be someone who is now leading other young youth in safe spaces like this if programs like this weren't available. Programs like this save lives. Thank you.

Representative Alcos. Second time still in opposition.

In opposition. Please proceed. It's not that I don't care. We don't care about the kids. We do. I agree with the program that looking for unsafe space for the kids. I just wish that there is parents to know more about the information and where the kids are.

Even though if that parent might be the one hurting them, then that's maybe taking consideration. But. Yeah. Thank you.

Members. Any further discussion on standing Committee report 963? Okay, seeing none. We're returning back to the top of page 18. We've already finished Standcom report number 973. So we're next turning to report number 974. Any discussion? Standing Committee report 975. Report number 976. Port number 977 978 979. Representative Iwamoto, with reservations. So ordered. Standing Committee report 980.

Report number 981 982 983 984. Representative Shimizu.

I'm sorry, Madam Speaker. Can we go back to 983 when you have time?

Yes. Let's finish up. Sanicom Committee report 984. Okay, going back to standing Committee report 983.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in support. With reservations. Thank you for the good representative from Kaneohe for crafting this very important legislation that is going to address this fireworks situation. My reservation is regarding the only legal company that is allowed to do fireworks and. And making sure that this bill doesn't inadvertently shut them down.

So I understand that there is some interpretation concerns, but just would like to make sure that it's clear this company is not affected by this legislation. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I yield.

Okay. Turning now to standing Committee report 985. Top of page 21. Report number 986. Representative Shimizu.

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

Please proceed.

I'm sure there is good intention for this bill. And thank you, Chair of the Finance Committee. But I'm concerned that we are definitely, in all of our efforts, trying to address the rising cost of living. I feel that this would not help in that matter.

So that is the reason I'm rising In opposition, with all due respect to the chair of the Finance Committee. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Representative Iwamoto. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition. Please proceed. My concern is that it's a very broad bill that also includes will impact those families. Our lowest income families who are always obviously struggling.

But it's also to my understanding of the low income tax credit is to remediate the fact that our income tax schedule right now is regressive. It does allow for more taxation of income of the lowest fifth. One fifth of our households versus lower income tax rate for the highest one fifth. Thank you very much.

Representative Peruso.

With reservations. And I'd like to enter the words of the previous speaker into the journal as if they were my own.

So ordered. Representative Kapela. With reservations. So ordered. Representative Grandinetti.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Amato. Reservations. Representative Souza. We're on standing Committee Report 987 relating to Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office.

Can we go back to Silent Comm. Report 986 when you have a moment. Thank you.

Representative Belatti. Same request to return to. Standcom report Committee number 986.

Okay, let's. We're on 986. Okay. Sorry Members. I apologize. I lost track of where we were. Still on Standing Committee report number 986. Representative Souza.

With reservations. Thank you.

So ordered. Representative Belatti.

Thank you. With reservations. And may I have the words of the representative from Kakaako entered as if they were my own.

So ordered. Representative Amato.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just want to clarify that my reservations were on 986, not 987.

Yes, you are correct. Sorry, I made a mistake earlier. No worries.

Thank you. Second time.

Madam Speaker Souza. So, with reservations?

With reservations. Yes. And I would like the words of the representative from Kako inserted to the. Into the record as my own. Thank you.

So ordered. Okay, Members. Any more discussion on standing Committee report 986? Okay. Saying none. We'll move on now to standing Committee report 987. 7. Okay. Standing Committee report 988. Standing Committee report 989. Okay for the vote. Representative Morikawa.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the measures before us, all majority Members vote I with the exception of the following on page 13. Stand com report number 954. HB number 7568. HD 2 Rep. Iwamoto votes no on page 21. Stand com report number 986. HB number 796. HD 1 Rep. Iwamoto votes no.

Representative Garcia.

On the measures before us, all minority Members vote I with the exception of the following on page 14 SCR957HB 1300 House draft 1. Garcia votes no. SCR958. HB 1389HD1 Garcia votes no. SCR959HB 1427 HD1. Reps. Alos and Garcia vote no. Age 15 SCR962HB431 House draft 2. Reps. Garcia and Moraoka vote no. SCR963GB613HD1 Reps.

Aukos, Garcia and Moraoka vote no.Age 17. SCR972HB 1349 House draft 1. Reps. Aukos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Mo, Moraoka and Shimizu Vote no. Age 20. SCR 983. HB 1483 House Draft 1. Garcia votes no. SCR 984. HB 437 House Draft 1. Reps. Garcia and Moraoka vote no. Age 21. SCR 986. HB 796 House Draft 1. Reps.

Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Moraoka, Shimizu and Reyes Oda votes no.

Members, have all votes been cast? If so, said bills pass third reading. Okay, we're turning to page 22. Representative Todd.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee report numbers 990 through 1004 as listed on pages 22 through 25, and that the accompanying House bills, as amended, pass second reading and be placed on the calendar for third reading.

Representative Morikawa and.

Let's speak. I second the motion.

Members, any discussions on these items beginning with Standing Committee report number 990. Standing Committee report 991 992 993 993. Representative Shimizu.

I'm sorry, Madam Speaker. When you have time, can you go back to 992, please?

Okay. Standing Committee report number 992.

Representative Shimizu arising support with reservations. Thank you.

So ordered. Okay. Standing Committee report 994. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you. Madam Speaker. I rise in support with reservations to acknowledge the concerns of the construction industry. Thank you.

Representative Garcia. No vote, so ordered. Representative Alcos. No vote, so ordered. Standing Committee report number 995. Representative Amato, reservations so ordered. Standing Committee report 996. 997. 998. 999. Standing Committee report 1000 1001 1002 1003. Representative Garcia. No vote, so ordered. Representative Souza. No vote, so ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Arise in opposition.

Please proceed.

Again, trying to reduce the cost of living is very important. Thank you.

Representative Moraoka. No vote, so ordered. Representative Alcos. No vote, so ordered. Representative.

With reservation and request to submit written comments into the journal, please.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto. Same request, so ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations.

So ordered. Standing Committee report number 1004. Okay, Members, we're taking a voice vote on these bills. All those in favor, please say aye. All those opposed, say no. The motion is carried. We are on third reading. Item number six. Representative Todd.

Madam Speaker, I move that the House Bill is listed on pages 26 through 28 past third reading.

Representative Morikawa and the Speaker.

I second the motion.

Okay. Is there any discussion on these items, starting with House Bill number 111? House Bill number 1175. House Bill 998. House Bill 995. Turning to page 27. House Bill 131. House Bill 369. House Bill 368. House Bill 408. House Bill 411. House Bill 103. Okay, Representative Morikawa for the vote and the Speaker.

On the measures before us, all majority Members vote aye.

Representative Garcia, on the measures before.

Us, all minority Members vote aye. With the exception of the following on page 28, SCR 807, House Bill 103, Reps. Garcia, Matsumoto, Moraoka and Shimizu, vote no Members.

Have all votes been cast? Said bills passed. Third reading, item number seven, 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 eight. Members, are there any announcements? Representative Quinlan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today is a very special day. It only comes around once every four years. Today is a day of mathematical, but not philosophical conformity. Happy birthday, Representative Amato.

Representative Kila.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd be remiss to not wish her a happy birthday as she's watching from the office. My office manager, Doreen Eddy. And I'd like to thank her for the three years of service here in our office for House District 44 and the communities of Maili, Nanakuli, Honakale and Kina. Thank you and happy birthday.

Representative La Chica. I, too, would like to wish my office manager, Aaron Conway, a very, very happy birthday. We would not do. We would not be as successful without her. So very happy birthday, Erin. I know you enjoyed your day yesterday.

Members, Any further announcements? Represent Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. No announcement. But I have a question that I'd like to pose. And I'm sorry if I'm out of order. But on SCR972, I made the motion to oppose. And I subsequently did change my no vote. And my pink slip was already submitted. So I'd like to make sure that my no vote is.

Is a yes. Just to make sure that that is clear. Thank you.

I apologize. Representative Shimizu. When we were reading the vote, it was read as a no. So just for the Members notification. When we ask for ball votes been cast. It's also to make sure that the votes are cast accurately. I apologize for that. Thank you for the clarification. Any further announcements? Okay. Members.

If there are no further announcements. Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker. I move to keep the journal open until 12 o' clock midnight. For the purpose of receiving Standing Committee Committee reports and House bills transmitted thereby.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker. I move that this House stand in recess until 9:00am Tuesday, March 4th.

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 in recess until 9am Tuesday, March 4th. Recess.