Senate Floor

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

Senator Aquino. Senator Awa. Senator Chang. Senator DeCoite. Senator Decort. Here. Senator Dela Cruz. Senator Elefante.

Here.

Senator Favella. Senator Fukunaga. Senator Gabbard. Senator Hashimoto. Senator Ihara. Present. Senator Inouye. Present. Senator Kanuha. Senator Keohokalole. Senator Kidani. Senator Kim. Senator Lee. Senator McKelvey. Senator Moriwaki. Present. Senator Rhodes. Senator Richards. Here. Senator San Buenaventura. Senator Wakai. Mr. President. President. All 25 Members are present.

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

Thank you, Mr. President. Long list of introductions today. As you can see, the gallery is pretty full. I just want to welcome every Town for and Moms Demand Action. Sorry. Every Town for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action are here. I think most of you are behind me. If you'd like to stand, be recognized.

Also wanted to recognize Sarah Sumadi, the Director of Government affairs of Western Regions for Everytown for Gun Safety Safety Action Fund. I think you're here somewhere. Maybe not. Oh yeah. Please stand and be recognized. Thank you.

Also Chris Marvin, the national veteran, head for Everytown for Gun Safety, former Army officer and combat wounded veteran of the Afghanistan War, and a constituent of mine as well. Chris Marvin, are you here? Welcome to the Senate. And I know that many of you are here to express opposition to the gun bill that I'm the introducer of.

So if you're all here, please stand. If you're not standing already. And welcome to the Senate. I appreciate your presence. Also, I believe that Chief Justice Rectinwald is here. If you could stand.

Deputy Court Administrator Dalen Rose, Heather and Brandon Kimura, Director of the Policy and Policy and Planning at Judiciary as well, who's already standing up there at the top of the stairway. Finally. I know there are many judges here. I can't see you all, but please stand and be recognized before we get started. Mahalo. Thank you, Mr. President.

Any further introductions? If not, Madam Clerk on page two.

House communication number 817 informs the Senate that the House made changes to conferees to various bills. House communication numbers 818 and 820 informed the Senate that various bills passed final reading in the House.

And house communication number 819 informs the Senate that the House agreed to the amendments made by the Senate to various House Concurrent Resolutions and that said resolutions were adopted filed beginning on page six. Standing Committee report numbers, 2010 to 2013 for one day notice, so order starting on page eight.

Advise and consent. If there are no objections from the Members, we will be taking advice and. Consent on consent on pages 8 and 9.

Standing Committee Report Numbers 2001-2003 on Governor's Messages for adoption.

Is there any discussion? Not do we have unanimous. Senator Gabbard, did you have discussion?

Yes, Mr. President, colleagues, and guests and staff, I rise in support of GM 697 in consideration.

Please proceed, Senator.

Mr. President, I rise in support of GM 697 in consideration and confirmation of Dean Matsukawa as the Deputy to the Chairperson of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Colleagues, Dean has over 30 years of experience in agricultural finance and a deep background in farming. He combines his financial expertise with first hand knowledge of Hawaii's agricultural landscape.

As Agricultural Loan Administrator for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture Loan Program, he grew $17 million to $26 million in loans supporting local farmers. Dean played a key role in modernizing loan systems, expanding access to capital for farmers statewide, and crafting legislation to strengthen the industry.

Raised on his family's farm in Waihole Valley, Dean brings a lifetime of connection to the land. He was in the sixth class to graduate from the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii. His contributions have earned him multiple honors including the Department's Manager of the Year Award.

He's been President of the East Oahu County Farm Bureau and President of the Kona County Farm Bureau. Dean is joined by his wife and better half, Anna Matsukawa, who's been by his side through the many seasons of this journey. So, we mahalo her too because we know this work is never done alone.

So, if both of you would please stand.

Where are they?

There they are. Colleagues, I ask you to join me in supporting GM 697 and I also have GM 532. I'd also like to take a moment to recognize Nicholas Testa who unfortunately couldn't be here today. Nick will serve as a Member of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides through June 30th, 2028.

He currently serves as Special Services Manager at Aloha Termite where he leads efforts to combat invasive species like the coconut rhinoceros beetle and little fire ants. He's also a trainer and safety officer with a strong foundation in pesticide education and structural pest management.

So, we mahalo Nick for stepping up to bring his boots on the ground experience to the table. Mahalo.

Thank you. Any further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? The nominees. Senator Awa.

Mahalo Paliki cannot please mark down my opposition to GM 785.

So noted. Any other no votes? If not the nominees for respective governors messages have been confirmed with the one no vote for Senator Awa.

On page nine. Standing Committee report number 2004 on governor's message number 790. Karen T. Nakasone, Gubernatorial Appointee to the Intermediate Court of Appeals for adoption.

Is there any discussion, Senator Rhoads?

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of Governor's message number 790.

Please proceed.

Thank you. Members, this is the third appearance by Judge Karen Nakasone before this body seeking confirmation to a judgeship. She was first confirmed in 2011 to the circuit court by unanimous vote. After nine years on the Circuit Court bench, she was elevated to the Intermediate Court of Appeals again by unanimous vote.

Now Judge Nakasone has been appointed to the position of Chief Justice of the Intermediate Court of Appeals to succeed the Honorable Lisa Canoza, who is elevated to the Supreme Court. Judge Nakasone received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania.

She received her US Doctorate from the Boston University School of Law, where she was the Vice President of the National Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and President of the University's Asian Pacific American Law Studies Association. Judge Nakasone has been licensed to practice law in the state since 1995. Judge Nakasone has dedicated her work to public service.

Before law school she interned with US Representative Patsy T. Mink, and during law school she interned at the Hawaii Attorney General's Office. Her legal career began in 1995 by clerking for Judge Simeon R. Okoa Jr. Who sat on the ICA at the time.

She then worked as Deputy Public Defender for the Office of Public Defender for 15 years before joining the bench. It is somewhat unusual that over the span of 14 years, the Senate will have had three opportunities to review and comment on a judge's performance and qualifications.

Judge Nakasone has shown herself to be a skillful and hard working judge. She is aware of the requirements of the position and the challenge is leading a court that has repeatedly suffered from long backlogs.

Her approach is to be steadfast and complete the task at hand, and she has set her sights on further decreasing the times of Appeals to the ICA. Approximately 100 individuals attested to her qualifications for the Chief Judge position.

This included several retired judges whom she appeared before or worked with on the bench and the two governors who appointed her. Previously a Member of Hawaii's Congressional team and numerous other Members of the legal community also supported her.

After having reviewed the testimony and other materials submitted to the Committee and having examined the appointee at a hearing, your judge, your Judiciary Committee finds that Karen T. Nakasone is qualified to serve as the Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals and recommends that the Senate consent to the appointment. Mahalo.

Thank you. Is there any further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any. No votes? 25 ayes. Thank you. Guarantee. Nakasone has been confirmed as judge for the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Senator Rose. And Senator Rose, let me just correct that before I confirm this. Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals, Senator Rhodes.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'm pleased to introduce our new ICA Chief Judge Karen Nakasone. Please stand and be recognized. Judge Nakasone. Chief Judge Nakasone would like to recognize several people. If you are here in the gallery, please stand and be recognized. The judge's spouse, Roman Amiguin. No, not here. Today.

Their daughters, Abby Nakasone Ameguin, watching from Japan, and Ellie Nakasone Amiguin, watching from Italy. Her mother, Checo Nakasoni. Welcome to Senate. Her sister, Nancy Tolentino, and all of the judges and staff of the Intermediate Court of Appeals. If you're here, mahalo.

Now, before moving on, it is our, I guess, procedure to recess. Invite the judicial nominee who has now been confirmed to come to the floor so that the Members of the Senate may greet individually, congratulate, and have a photo with you. We have four more judges to confirm which we're going to go through.

And unusually, this is the second last day of session for. For this Legislature, and we have several floor amendments that need to sit 48 hours before we can reconvene on Friday. So I'm going to ask the judges and their friends and family to be patient.

After they are all voted on, we are going to vote on the state budget and several floor amendments. When we conclude the floor amendments, we will recess and invite the judges and those who are with them to come to the floor. After we congratulate them, we will resume our regular calendar and conclude the votes.

Madam Clerk.

Standing Committee Report number 2005, on Governor's message number 788. Karen L. Holma, Gubernatorial appointee to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit for adoption.

Is there any discussion? Senator Chang.

Thank you, Mr. President. In support.

Please proceed.

Judge Karen Holma has been one of Oahu's District Court judges since 2020. She has presided over approximately 50 civil and criminal trials in district court, including landlord-tenant, breach of contract, and collection cases, on the civil side, criminal misdemeanors and petty misdemeanor cases, as well as traffic and mental health court cases.

During her time on the bench, Judge Holma advanced and was assigned as the Lead Civil Judge in District Court for a year.

Then, for the past 14 months, she has been temporarily assigned to Circuit Court, the position she now seeks, where she has handled a range of circuit court civil cases, including breach of contract, business disputes, foreclosure, personal injury, negligence, toxic torts, homeowners association, employment, condemnation, and probate cases.

Judge Holma was in private practice before becoming a judge, handling commercial litigation cases, including consulting, construction, real estate litigation, and business partnership disputes. She worked at Bayes, Lung, Rose and Holma for more than 25 years, where she was a name and managing partner by the time she left.

During that time, she held leadership positions in the Hawaii State Bar Association, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, and as a member of the Planning Commission for the City and County of Honolulu.

Judge Holma also worked for a brief period as an Assistant Deputy Attorney General for the Labor Division, the Department of the Attorney General, and was a law Clerk for Associate Justice, Ronald TY Moon, on the Hawaii Supreme Court. Judge Holma received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

She received her Juris Doctor from the Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon, where she was a Member of the Moot Court Board and an Associate Editor for the Willamette Law Review. Judge Holma has been licensed to practice law in the State of Hawaii since 1990.

After having reviewed the testimony, the vast majority of which was in support of the appointment and other materials submitted to the Committee and having examined the appointee in a hearing, your Judiciary Committee finds that Karen L. Holma is qualified to serve as Circuit Court Judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit and recommends that the Senate content—consent—to the appointment.

Thank you. Any further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. Karen L. Holma has been confirmed as Judge for the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. Senator Chang.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'm pleased to introduce our new Circuit Court Judge for Oahu, Karen Holma. Judge, please stand and be recognized. Judge Holma would like to recognize her family. If you are here in the gallery, please stand and be recognized. The judge's husband, Scotty Anderson, and the judge's family watching from the mainland, including her mother. Mahalo.

Thank you, Senator Chang. Madam Clerk.

Standing Committee report number 2006 on governor's message number 789. Taryn R. Tomasa Gifford, Gubernatorial appointee to the Circuit court of the first circuit for adoption.

Is there any discussion? Senator Gabbard?

Mr. President, I rise in support of governor's message. Number 789. Please proceed. Taryn R. Tomasso Gifford, known professionally as Taryn Tomassa, has committed her legal practice to public service. Since 2003, she has worked at the Office of the Public Defender, providing legal representation for indigent individuals in bench and jury trials, administrative hearings, and at the appellate level.

Ms. Damasa currently is a supervising attorney overseeing and training attorneys and staff in the District Court and appellate sections. She is also a Member of the Office's legislative team. Before working at the Office of The public defender, Ms. Tommaso was a law Clerk for Judge John S.W.

Lim while he was both a Circuit Court judge and then an appellate court judge. She also worked for a year at the law firm of Perkin and Faria, where she appeared in family and probate court. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Ms. Tomasa worked as a paralegal and advocate for AmeriCorps, assisting victims of domestic violence. Ms.

Tomasa attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree History and graduated with honors. She received her Juris Doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

In law school, she received a Cali Award for Excellence for the Future Award for Intellectual Property and was co Editor of the Pacific Asian Law Journal. Ms. Tomasa has been licensed to practice law in the State of Hawaii since 1998.

After having received reviewed the testimony which was all in support of the appointment and other materials submitted to the Committee and having examined the appointee in a hearing, your Judiciary Committee finds that Taran R.

Tomasa Gifford is qualified to serve as Circuit Court Judge of the Circuit Court of the First Circuit and recommends that the Senate consent to the appointment.

Thank you. Is there any further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any? No votes?

25 Ayes.

Thank you. Taran R. Tomasa Gifford has been confirmed as Judge for the Circuit court of the First Circuit. Senator Gabbard.

Mr. President, may I request a late introduction?

Please proceed.

I'm pleased to introduce our new Circuit Court Judge for Oahu Taryn Tomasa Gifford, to be professionally known as Taryn Tomasa. Judge, please stand and be recognized. Judge Tomasa would like to recognize several people, so if you're here in the gallery, please stand and be recognized.

The Judge's husband, James, their sons Makhani in the gallery and Pono, who is watching from college. Is Makhani here? There he is. The judge's parents, are they here? There they are. Mom and dad. Aloha. And any other family in the gallery. And also watching from Arizona, if you'd please stand. There they are. Mahalo, Mr. President.

Thank you. Now, I know after Judge Nakasone, I said we had four more judges to confirmed. We've done two and there are three of you sitting there. So I don't want one of you thinking you're not going to be voted on today. I made a mistake. We had five more.

When we were done with Judge Nakasone and all three of you, we will be taking your vote up today. My apologies for miscounting, Madam Clerk.

Standing Committee Report number 2007 on Judiciary communication number 29, Maria F. Penn, Judicial Appointee to the District Family Court of the First Circuit for adoption.

Is there any discussion? Senator Chang.

In support.

Please proceed.

Since 2022, Judge Penn has worked as a perdeem judge for the Family Court of the First Circuit. She regularly serves as a judge two to three days a week in all divisions of Family Court: Special Division, Juvenile Division, Domestic Division, and Family Court Criminal Matters.

Judge Penn is also a solo practitioner focusing on general litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants. She handles cases in a variety of legal areas, including contracts, construction, employment discrimination, wrongful termination, divorce, paternity, and temporary restraining orders. Judge Penn has assisted in criminal trials with jury selection and prepared and drafted various motions and memoranda.

Judge Penn's introduction to law was as a paralegal at the office of Miles S. Bryner, where she made the decision to go to law school. After receiving her law degree, she returned to the firm as an associate attorney and worked on various criminal defense, family law, and civil litigation cases.

Judge Penn is an active member of the legal community, having volunteered for courts in the community as the Head Coach for the Hawaii Baptist Academy Mock Trial Team and with the Judiciary's Family Court Kids First Program. Judge Penn attended the University of Southern California, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance.

She received her Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She has been licensed to practice law in the State of Hawaii since 2003.

After having reviewed the testimony, all of which was in support of the appointment, and other material submitted to the Committee, and having examined the appointee at a hearing, your Judiciary Committee finds that Maria F. Penn is qualified to serve as a District Family Court Judge of the First Circuit and recommends that the Senate consent to the appointment. Mahalo.

Thank you. Any further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. Maria F. Penn has been confirmed as Judge for the District Family Court of the First Circuit. Senator Chang.

Thank you, Mr. President. May I be permitted a late introduction?

Please proceed.

I'm pleased to introduce our new District Family Court Judge for Oahu, Maria Penn. Judge, please stand and be recognized. Judge Penn would like to recognize several other people. If you are here in the gallery, please stand and be recognized.

The judge's husband, Jay Penn, the judge's mother, Nobuko Dumlao, her brother, Baldwin Dumlao, other family and friends present in person and watching online, her Family Court ohana, and her colleagues from the law office of Michael Green. Mahalo.

Thank you, Senator Chang. Madam Clerk.

Standing Committee—Standing Committee Report number 2008 on Judiciary Communication number 30. Wilson A. Unga, judicial appointee to the District Family Court of the First Circuit for adoption.

So, I apologize, Madam Clerk. I was informed by Senator Gabbard, who is going to speak on this, that the "g" is silent. It's Wilson "Una". Senator Gabbard, is there any discussion? Senator Gabbard.

I rise in support of Judiciary communication number 30, Mr. President.

Please proceed.

Wilson Unga has committed his career to public service. Since 2013, he has worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu. He is currently the Department's Felony Trials Division Chief, and in that role, he supervises litigation and administrative activities for all felony prosecutors assigned to the division.

Mr. Unga was previously a domestic violence felony team captain, overseeing the prosecution of felony domestic violence cases. Before working at the Department, Mr. Unga clerked for two years, first for Judge Edwin Nasino on the Circuit Court for the First Circuit, and then for Justice Richard Pollock at the Hawaii Supreme Court.

Mr. Unga is also active in the legal community as a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association's Judicial Administration Committee and the Judiciary's Court Interpreters and Language Access Committee, and as a Board Member for the Pacific Islander Legal Association. Mr. Unga received a Bachelor's of Science degree in International Politics from Georgetown University, where he graduated cum laude.

He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Schidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he graduated cum laude and was the recipient of the Scheidler Department Merit Scholarship and Choo Jay Family Scholarship.

Mr. Unga received his Juris Doctor from the William S. Richardson School of Law at UH Manoa, where he received the John S. Edmonds Award for excellence in legal writing, was a recipient of the Advocates for Public Interest Law Grant, and was Co-Editor in Chief for the Asian Pacific Law and Policy Journal. Mr. Unga has been licensed to practice law in the State of Hawaii since 2012.

After having reviewed the testimony, all of which was in support of the appointment and other materials submitted to the Committee, and having examined the appointee in a hearing, your Judiciary Committee finds that Wilson A. Unga is qualified to serve as a District Family Court Judge of the First Circuit and recommends that the Senate consent to the appointment.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Senator Keohokalole.

Thank you, Mr. President. In support.

Please proceed.

I know this man. This is a good man. He's very deserving of this honor, and I'm very proud of him and proud to support his nomination. I can imagine what it's like for my family, how proud they are to be able to say, you know, we have a Senator in the family.

I can only imagine for his family. And then we've seen it with the other judges today, what a proud moment it is for everyone in the family to be able to say, one of ours is a judge. So, to all of the family and to Wilson, strong support.

I know you're going to do great things, and I'm so happy that you're here today, stepping forward to serve in this role. Thank you.

Thank you. Any further discussion? If not, do we have—Senator Awa.

Mahalo Pelekikeno. If the Judiciary did an NFL draft like they did last week, Wilson Unga would probably be categorized by ESPN as a sleeper pick. If you look up that in AI what it means, someone with the potential to go beyond what's expected of them.

Wilson could have took a job out of state, could have took many jobs out of state to make a lot more money, but being a resident of Kahuku and that community, he recognizes that family, the community, the Polynesians we represent, the help is needed in the Judiciary, and he chose Kuleana over what could have benefited him personally and financially. So, with that, much respect to you and thank you for serving.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. Wilson A. Unga has been confirmed as judge for the District Court, Family Court of the First Circuit. Senator Gabbard.

Mr. President, may I be permitted a late introduction?

Please proceed.

I'm pleased to introduce our new District Family Court Judge for Oahu, Wilson Unga. Judge, please stand and be recognized. Judge Unga would like to recognize several people. If you're here in the gallery, please stand and be recognized. The judge's wife, Sunny.

Their three daughters, Ina Mae, Joanne, and Alana. The judge's parents, Livingston and Fefita Unga, and his sister, Ina Mae Taia. And the many other family members joining them in the gallery and watching from Utah and other places. Please give them a hand. Mahalo.

Thank you, Senator Gabbard. Now that we've taken the vote, I know we've made much over the past decade or so about getting more gender equity on the bench. And with five of the six nominees for confirmation women, the Chief Justice as well as the last two governors have worked diligently to find very qualified women.

And we celebrate, you know, the women who come forward and allow us to have the court reflect what our community looks like. I think what Senator Keohokalole was alluding to but didn't say clearly, and I'm going to take Judge Unga's word for it, when I met with him, he will be the first of Tongan ancestry to be confirmed to the Hawaii bench.

And to your remarks, Senator Awa is clearly aware of the role model that he is and the glass ceiling that his nomination has shattered. So, I extend my congratulations. Madam Clerk.

Standing Committee Report number 2009 on Judiciary communication number 31, Rochelle Ivadina Kusumano, Judicial Appointee to the District Court of the First Circuit for adoption.

Is there any discussion? Senator?

Sorry, I rise in support. Do I do that now or after?

After Senator Rhoads will give him, as the Judiciary Chair, a chance to go in all into all of the detail of the resume and then you will follow up.

I won't talk long. Thank you. Thanks, Mr. President. I rise in support of Judiciary communication number 31. Rochelle Ivadina Kusumano is another appointee who has dedicated her career to public service.

Known professionally as Rochelle Ivadina, she has worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu for 24 years. Ms. Ivadina is the Department's Team Captain for the Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Unit.

In that role, she is responsible for supervising several deputy prosecuting attorneys and handling a high volume of sexual assault and human trafficking cases. She has prosecuted numerous felony sexual assault and related cases, including human trafficking, child pornography, commercial sexual exploitation, and kidnapping cases.

She also serves as the Coordinator for the Honolulu County Human Trafficking Task Force, facilitating a coordinated effort between county, state, and federal law enforcement and service providers. Ms. Ivadina has been recognized for professional work and is a recipient of the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney's Excellence Award and the Hawaii Women Lawyers Outstanding Woman Lawyer Award.

She has also been faculty with the Hawaii State Bar Association's Trial Academy. Prior to law school, Ms. Ivadina worked as a Parole Officer for the Hawaii Paroling Authority for nine years. Ms. Ivadina earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Social Work from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.

She earned her Juris Doctorate from the Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she was a recipient of the Kamehameha Schools Scholarship. Ms. Ivadina has been licensed to practice law in the State of Hawaii since 2001.

After having reviewed the testimony, all of which was in support of the appointment and other materials submitted to the Committee, and having examined the appointee in a hearing, your Judiciary Committee finds that Rochelle Ivadina Kusumano is qualified to serve as a District Court Judge of the First Circuit and recommends that the Senate consent to the appointment. Mahalo.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator DeCorte.

Thank you, colleagues. In the past few years, Waianae has been rocked to its core with bad news. In 2023, we saw an increase of homicides upwards to about 80%. We are constantly filled through the media with shootings, domestic violence, human sex trafficking.

And this is the day where we are able to acknowledge the good that is coming out of Waianae. Rochelle is a reflection of the good people that continue to fight through the adversity and fight through the struggle of what the surroundings wants to stay and keep us in violence and poverty.

Today is the day that her being confirmed is not only a position, it is a role model for kids in our community, for them to see that there is a way out.

And the same struggles that our kids face today is the same struggles that Rochelle has had to come through to show the 96792 that not only can good things come out of Waianae, but good things can come out of Waianae to promote and to make the State of Hawaii a better place.

Rochelle is somebody who I have met in the community, somebody who is boots on the ground, but most importantly, somebody who does not forget where she comes from.

That she will continue to contribute back to the 96792, that she will not move out of Waianae and then forget about us, but she will use her knowledge and her skills to help the youth in our community to be elevated and to show our people that she looks like us, she sounds like us, she moves like us.

And this is the role models that we need to see, not only in Waianae, but in the State of Hawaii. So with that, I proudly support your nomination and ask my colleagues to also support as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. Rochelle Ivadina Kusumano has been confirmed as judge for the District Court of the First Circuit. Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm pleased to introduce our new district Court judge for Oahu, Rochelle Ivadina. Please stand and be recognized. Judge Ivadina would like to recognize several people. If you're here in the gallery, please stand and be recognized. The judge's husband, Michael Kusumano. Their sons, Kupono and Laakea. Her mother, Sharon Ivadina.

Sorry, I didn't see whether her son stood up. Kapono and Laakea, did you? Okay. There you go. Okay. Her mother, Sharon Ivadina. Her brother, Richard Ivadina, and sisters, Elise Rago and Naomi Morgan. Her niece, Keely Rego. And the judge's mother, Joanne Cusumano, watching from Hilo. Mahalo.

Thank you. Again, we have the state budget to vote on and several amendments. When we conclude with the amendments, we will recess and have our recently confirmed judges come to the floor to be congratulated by the Members. Madam Clerk.

Beginning on page 10, final reading.

If there are no objections from the Members, we will be taking final reading on consent.

Conference Committee report number 45, final reading of House Bill 300, conference draft one, relating to the state budget.

Is there any discussion? Senator Dela Cruz.

Thank you, Mr. President. In support.

Please proceed.

I have about, maybe about 30 pages, but I don't want the judges waiting, so I'm just going to submit written remarks. But I do want to thank the House Finance Chair and especially the Ways and Means Committee and the Committee chairs, all the staff, the Administration, all those ASOs and budget staff that help put together the budget.

And with that said, I asked my colleagues to support the budget and if I can have written remarks inserted into the journal. Thank you.

So ordered. Further discussion? Senator Awa.

Request for a brief recess.

If there are no objections from the Members, we call for a brief recess.

Will the Senate please come back into order? We are on discussion of House Bill 300, Conference Draft 1. Further discussion? Senator Moriwaki.

Thank you, Mr. President. I too would like to thank the colleagues and you and also the Capital Improvements Chair from the House Finance and especially the WAM Chair because I think we have a good CIP budget. I do have written remarks that I would like to be placed in the journal. Mahalo.

So ordered. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote for Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. House Bill 300, Conference Draft 1 passes final reading.

We're on page 11, floor amendments. Conference Committee Report number 85. Final reading of Senate Bill 401, Conference Draft 1, relating to firearms.

Senator DeCoite.

Mr. President, I wish to offer a floor amendment to SB 401, CD 1, relating to firearms.

Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.

Floor amendment number 15, proposing an amendment to Senate Bill 401, Conference Draft 1, relating to firearms, copies of which have been distributed to the Members.

Senator DeCoite.

Mr. President, I move that the floor amendment number 15 be adopted.

Senator Richards.

I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Senator DeCoite.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. I rise to offer an amendment to SB 401, CD 1, relating to firearms. An amendment grounded in fairness, constitutional duty, public safety, and responsible environmental management. This amendment does four key things.

First, it grandfathers and law abiding citizens statewide, whether on Oahu or the neighbor islands, who legally acquired firearms and standard capacity magazines prior to January 1, 2026. Secondly, it allows licensed firearms dealers statewide to continue lawfully servicing, repairing, and transferring those grandfathered items.

Third, it preserves the rights of subsistence hunters and conservation workers, especially Native Hawaiians, protected under Article 12, Section 7 of the Hawaii Constitution. And fourth, it requires just compensation if the state forces the surrender of legally owned firearms or magazines, as required under both the US and Hawaii Constitutions.

But it must raise a broader, urgent concern, one that affects every island, every budget, and every taxpayer taxpayer. The rising toll of invasive species in Hawaii. On Molokai and Maui, axis deer have caused devastation and wreaked havoc, stripping our pasture lands, collapsing our native ecosystems, destroying irrigation systems, and driving ranchers into crisis.

On Hawaii Island, feral pigs are tearing through farms and forests, spreading disease and disrupting watershed protections. And across the state, we are already spending millions, if not billions, to contain little fire ants, coconut rhinoceros beetles, and coqui frogs, invasive species that directly harm our tourism, economy, and our quality of life.

This is not just an ecological issue. It is a budgetary crisis, and we are paying for it with taxpayer dollars. And every time we remove a tool from the people on the front lines, our hunters, ranchers, landowners, and conservation crews, we increase the cost. Without access to lawful and effective tools, we are tying one hand behind our back in the fight against these invasive species.

And we are forcing the cost burden onto the state and onto the very taxpayer who are already stretched thin. This amendment is about preserving the tools of stewardship, the ability to manage land responsibly, to prevent the collapse of ecosystems, and to ensure our local families, not just state agencies, can help fight this war.

Mr. President, I must also raise one final concern, and that is the lack of a clear exemption in this bill for law enforcement officers and our DLNR personnel. As written, the bill could place police officers, sheriffs, tactical units, and conservation enforcement officers at risk of violating the very law they are sworn to enforce simply by carrying out their official duties using standard issue equipment.

This is not just a legal hazard, it's a public safety failure. And this amendment assures we do not criminalize the lawful actions of those tasked with protecting our communities. Mr. President, this amendment keeps the public safety goals of the bill intact.

It still prohibits new purchases and imports after January 1st of 2026, but ensures that our rural families, subsistence hunters, Native Hawaiian practitioners, licensed businesses, law enforcement, and conservation workers are not punished, disarmed, or disfranchised in the process. Let us support responsible ownership. Let us support effective conservation.

Let us stop the financial bleeding caused by invasive species, and let us ensure our laws are not enforced at the expense of those who protect the land. At the same time we have asked, the House has also filed the exact same amendment. And I respectfully urge adoption of this amendment and the support of my colleagues. Mahalo, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. In opposition. The big picture is this amendment creates a huge carve out for the sale of assault weapons. If we pass it, it basically eviscerates the underlying bill. So that's the big picture. The grandfathering, the current draft of the underlying bill grandfathers assault weapons that people own currently and up until the beginning of next year that they purchased before then.

There's already a storage bill. There's already a storage protection bill that's passed this year, HB 125, that was just engrossed into law recently. For years there's been a law enforcement exemption that's covered by HRS 134-11. Law enforcement, military, government employees, have all been covered for years so that they could purchase weapons that were not necessarily available to the general public.

The House is very unlikely to pass this amendment, which means that if we do, the bill is dead. And there is also a technical problem with the bill. It amends a section that in the Ghost Gun Bill that we just passed and was signed into law, Act 18, about two weeks ago.

And of course, the Ghost Gun Bill is an important piece of legislation, and I'd hate to see that ghost guns are a serious threat. And I'd hate to see that legislation that we just passed compromised by amending it in this way. So my request respectfully to my colleagues is to vote no. Mahalo.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Richards.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the amendment. Thank you. I like my words, Senator DeCoite's words be entered in as if they were my own. But to add to that, what this is is striking to find some common ground on the different parties on this. The intent is to maintain public safety while recognizing that agriculture needs some tools in the toolbox. So I would ask that my colleagues support this amendment. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Fevella.

Senate President, stand in strong support. You know, Senate President, all what Senator DeCoite said, Senator from Molokai and the neighbor islands, 100% right. If you don't live on the neighbor islands, you don't see the problems that is happening. Deer going through the airports, busting up the land, taking away all their quality of life that they live.

We don't have that here. We have buildings all over the place. Right. We live in urban. Whatever you like. We don't have those issues. But again, you're taking away from an opportunity for eradicating some of these things. If you guys go to the windward side and you guys see how the wild boar and wild pigs going over there and disrupting the land.

Raping the land, busting up the land, all of these things. These amendments will secure the rights of our people that want to defend not only their land but their way of life. Not having this bill, understand the scare tactics of what we being said over here about the ghost guns. We ban any guns today or anything like this and not support this amendment.

Ghost guns will always exist in a community. A bill like this, or going for a bill like this and saying that you don't like this amendment because of those guns, after, with or without this amendment, those guns will still exist no matter what. Thank you. And I urge my colleagues to please support this amendment.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator DeCorte, then Senator San Buenaventura.

Mr. President, without this floor... Sorry. In support of the floor amendment. Without this floor amendment, the bill in its original condition will not only restrict law abiding citizens who legally carry, but this will also restrict our law enforcement officers.

So again, what this bill continues to turn out to be is not keeping our public safe, but it's also hindering our sheriffs, our HPD workers, and those that are set out to protect us. And now it continues to leave us vulnerable in the area that I represent, which is the Waianae Coast.

As I continue to be the voice of my community saying over and over again about the rising crime and issue after issue. This would leave Waianae continually vulnerable to not only being able to defend themselves, but also the protection of our law enforcement. So I encourage my colleagues to also support this floor amendment, as I do. Thank you, President.

Thank you. Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Mr. President. I stand in support. The most beneficial thing of the floor amendment is the grandfathering clause. My biggest problem with SB 401, CD 1 is the amendment that includes the possession of magazines with a capacity in excess of 10 rounds are designed. The mere possession is automatically a crime.

So we have legal hunters with the common mag of 30 rounds. I don't own. My family does. I do not appreciate our legislation. You just passed substantial strict gun laws. And in fact, it is a testament to the history of the gun laws that we have passed that we have not ever had a history of an assault rifle mass killing in this state.

The last mass killing we had was over 25 years ago. That was Uyesugi. And it's because of the strict gun laws we have now. And I have voted in favor of all of those strict gun laws. But now, at a time when we are actually going to criminalize legal hunters, we've gone too far. The grandfathering, at the very least, it allows them to keep what it is they've got.

But we are actually making them criminals by possession of magazines that we had legalized before they bought it. And now by their mere possession because we decide to pass this bill, we decide to label them as criminals. And that to me is unethical and should be and should not be tolerated by this body. Thank you.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. Still in opposition. So I've just been confirmed that the House has not offered this amendment. So passing this will kill the bill. I would also point out that a number of the issues that have been raised are covered by the underlying bill. I won't repeat myself, but the...

Well, I won't repeat myself much. The grandfathering is already in there. This bill will make us safer, not less safe. Having... Right now you can buy for 120 bucks 100 round canister that will fit any of the AR-15 type assault rifles. And that's the whole point of the bill is that we don't want...

When police are trying to take down a mass murderer shooter, the opportunity they have to do that is primarily when they're reloading. And if you have a hundred round canister, you don't have to reload very often. So the whole point of the bill is to make that less, make that more difficult while grandfathering in all the weapons that people have currently. Mahalo.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Elefante, then Senator Fevella.

Thank you, Mr. President. In opposition to the proposed floor amendment. Thank you. I appreciate the introducer of the floor amendment for offering this. However, in its current form I'm unable to support. Thank you.

Thank you. Senator Fevella.

Thank you, Senate President. I just wanted to have the comments of the Senator from Puna as my own to the Senate journal. Thank you.

So ordered. Further discussion? Senator McKelvey.

Thank you, Mr. President. In support. And would just like the records of the good speaker from Puna and into the record as if they were my own.

So ordered. Further discussion? Senator Awa.

In response to our Judiciary Chair, right when we started our session over here... Oh, in support of the amendment. Apologies. Thanks. And in response to our Judiciary Chair, right at the start of our session, we ran over the amendment to the House side, and so they did file it and it's waiting to be voted on.

But like he made clear, for anybody who walked in late in the gallery, essentially what this amendment does, if you don't get caught up in everything that's in it, is allows us to kill the bill. And so that's really what we're voting on. Yes vote would help us do that and a no vote would remain status quo.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, any objections to the amendment? Senators Elefante, Kanuha, Hashimoto, Chang, Fukunaga, Inouye, Ihara, Lee, Rhoads, Keohokalole, Dela Cruz. Amendment fails.

Conference Committee report number 98, final reading of Senate Bill 97 Conference Draft 1 relating to motor vehicles.

Senator Lee.

Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to offer a floor amendment to SB 97 CD1.

Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.

Floor Amendment number 14, proposing an amendment to Senate Bill 97 Conference Draft 1, copies of which have been distributed to the Members.

Senator Lee.

Mr. President, I move that Floor Amendment number 14 be adopted.

Senator Elefante.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Senator Lee?

Thank you, Mr. President. This floor amendment would remove duplicative language that also exists in another bill that is poised to pass this chamber in the Legislature. So it would remove any potential conflict should both measures be signed into law without affecting the underlying substance of those bills.

Is there any further discussion? Any objections? If not, motion is carried. Floor Amendment number 14 has been adopted. Senator Lee.

Mr. President, I move to separate SB 97 CD1 from Conference Committee Report number 98.

Senator Lee. Oh, Senator Elefante.

Thank you, Mr. President. I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. The Clerk is directed to file Conference Committee Report number 98. 48 hour notice is hereby given for final reading of SB 97 CD2.

Conference Committee report number 198, final reading of Senate Bill 1434, Conference Draft 1, relating to Universal Immunization Funding Program.

Senator San Buenaventura.

Mr. President, I wish to offer floor amendment to SB 1434, CD 1.

Floor amendment number 13, proposing an amendment to Senate Bill 1434, Conference Draft 1, copies of which have been distributed to the Members.

Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.

Senator San Buenaventura.

Mr. President, I move that the floor amendment number 13 be adopted.

Senator Dela Cruz.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Mr. President. The reason for the floor amendment is that the is that the current CD 1 did not accurately reflect the WAM recommendation that we were required to adopt and this floor amendment would fix that anomaly.

Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. Floor amendment has been adopted. Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Mr. President. Sorry.

You are going to separate Senate Bill 1434 Conference Draft 1 from Conference Committee Report Number 198.

Yes, Senate President.

Thank you. Senator Dela Cruz. It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. The Clerk is directed to file Conference Committee report number 198. 48 hour notice is hereby given for final reading of SB 1434, CD 2.

Conference Committee report number 199, final reading of House Bill 1026, Conference Draft 1, making emergency appropriations for public employment cost items.

Senator Aquino.

Mr. President, I wish to offer a floor Amendment to HB 1026, CD 1.

Madam Clerk, please identify the floor amendment.

Floor amendment number 11, proposing an amendment to House Bill 1026, Conference Draft 1, copies of which have been distributed to the Members.

Senator Aquino.

Mr. President, I move that floor amendment number 11 be adopted.

Senator Lee.

I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Senator Aquino.

Thank you, Mr. President. There's an error in the General Fund expenditure ceiling percentage. In this CD 1, the ledge drafters used a correct template and the dollar amount is correct, but the percentage calculation based on our calculator is 1.3%, which means the percentage amount should be rounded up to 2% to satisfy constitutional and statutory requirements.

Is there any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. Floor amendment number 11 has been adopted. Senator Aquino.

Okay. Mr. President, I move to separate HB 1026, CD 1, from Conference Committee Report number 199. Senator Lee.

I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. The Clerk is directed to file Conference Committee report number 199. 48 hour notice is hereby given for final reading of HB 1026, CD 2.

Conference Committee Report number 233, final reading of House Bill 1483, Conference Draft One, relating to fireworks.

Is there? Senator Elefante?

Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to offer a floor amendment to House Bill 1483 CD1 relating to fireworks.

Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.

Floor Amendment number 12, proposing an amendment to House Bill 1483, Conference Draft 1, copies of which have been distributed to the Members.

Senator elefante.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Floor Amendment number 12 be adopted.

Senator Rhoads.

I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Senator Elefante?

Thank you, Mr. President. The proposed floor amendment offers, offered, allows the film industry and other commercial entities to be able to import fireworks necessary to conduct business in accordance with federal shipping standards.

Is there any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. Floor Amendment number 12 has been adopted. Senator Elefante.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move to separate House Bill 1483 CD1 relating to fireworks from Conference Committee Report number 233.

Senator Rhoads

Second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. The Clerk is directed to file Conference Committee report number 233. 48 hour notice is hereby given for final reading of SB 1483, CD 2. If there are no objections from the Members, take a short recess.

Will the Senate please come back into order? During the recess to greet the judges, there was a question on the vote to...Senate Bill 401. For the sake of transparency and clarity, I'm now going to ask the Clerk to have a roll call vote.

What is before us is the motion to amend 401, as discussed by the introducer, Senator DeCoite, Senator Richards with the second, and several other Members, and, of course, you heard from Chair Rhoads and Elefante in opposition to the amendment. Is everyone clear?

Yes vote is in favor of the amendment and we would put the Bill on 48 hour notice to vote on Friday. No vote to the amendment, we will then be taking up the Bill in its current form today. Senator Awa.

Discussion. Mahalo. In support of the amendment.

Please proceed.

Not in support of retaking the vote. We took the vote. If everybody looks on the video on YouTube under the Senate's account, you'll hear 11 names. And those 11 names are opposed. That means we, including the President, that would be 12.

That means we should have 13 for the amendment, according to the video of the vote that we just took. But right now, for everybody who just rolled back in, we're gonna revote and probably lose. But if you check back the record, the amendment should go through, which would have again helped us kill the Bill.

Just wanna make that clear. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other discussion? If not, Madam Clerk, please call the roll on the amendment.

[Roll Call]

Senator DeCoite.

Mr. President, brief recess.

We need to separate the report.

Mr. President, I move to separate to SB 401, CD 1, relating to firearms from Conference Committee Report number 85.

Senator Richards.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. I don't have that page in the script anymore, Madam Clerk, but needless to say, 48 hour notice is hereby given after we separate the reports. And we will have that scheduled for final vote on Friday. Senator Elefante.

Mr. President, brief recess.

Senate is called back to order. I have in the during the recess been approached by both the proponents of Bill 401 and those who advocated the amendment that passed. As the House has not amended that bill and the bill cannot pass, if there are no objections, we are going to recommit Senate Bill 401. Senator Kim.

Mr. President, I object to that. I think that we deserves, the vote deserves to be voted upon.

So I had difficulty hearing other than you're objecting. You don't want us to recommit the bill?

No, I think we need to vote on the bill as amended. On Friday.

Further objections?

I move that we don't, that we don't commit.

Again, I have said if there are no objections, I am recommitting the bill. One objection. Any other objections to recommitting the bill? Hearing none. So ordered. Madam Clerk.

On pages 12 to 28, final reading of the non fiscal consent calendar. Final reading of the non fiscal consent calendar beginning with Conference Committee Report 4 on Senate Bill 15, Conference Draft 1, which is on page 12 to Conference Committee Report Number 257 on House Bill 441, Conference Draft 1 on page 28.

Is there any discussion? Well, first of all, we'll be taking this on consent discussion, Senator McKelvey.

Yes, Mr. President. I believe I enrolled a couple of the measures on here for a no vote. I believe the Clerk has them.

Yes, I have CCR 101, Senate Bill 597, CCR 209, House Bill 860.

Thank you very much.

Any other reservations? Any other no votes?

25 ayes. I'm sorry. With the exception of the two bills mentioned.

All bills on the non fiscal consent calendar from SB 15 CD1 to page on page 12 to HB 441 CD1 on page 28 pass. Final reading.

Final reading of the non fiscal ordinary calendar beginning on page 28. Conference Committee Report number three, final reading of House Bill 1051, Conference Draft 1 relating to energy efficiency portfolio standards.

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

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. HB 1051 CD1 passes. Final reading.

Conference Committee Report number 7, final reading of House Bill 1098, Conference Draft 1 relating to crimes against protective services workers.

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

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. HB 1098 CD1 passes. Final reading.

Conference Committee Report number 11, final reading of Senate Bill 176 Conference Draft 1 relating to recounts.

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

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 176 CD1 passes. Final reading.

Conference Committee Report number 12, final reading of Senate Bill 88 Conference Draft 1 relating to the Hawaii National Guard.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB88 CD1 passes. Final reading.

Conference Committee Report number 13, final reading of Senate Bill 222, Conference Draft 1 relating to fireworks.

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

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. SB 222 CD1 passes. Final reading.

One page 29, Conference Committee Report number 14, final reading of Senate Bill 601 Conference Draft 1 relating to law enforcement.

Is there any discussion? Senator Lee.

May I have a brief recess?

If there are no objections, recess.

Will the Senate please come back into order? Madam Clerk. Mr. President, we are on Conference Committee Report 14 on final reading of Senate Bill 601 Conference Draft 1 relating to law enforcement.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote for Senator Awa. 24 ayes, 1 no. Thank you. Before the next item, Madam Clerk, I have had a request to have CCR215, House Bill 958, move to the end of the calendar if there are no objections. So ordered.

Let's proceed or resume.

Conference Committee report 15, final reading of Senate Bill 1030 conference draft one relating to elections.

Is there any discussion? Not do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes. Senators Awa and DeCorte.

23 ayes, two noes.

Thank you. SB 1030 CD1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee Report 20, final reading of Senate Bill 31, conference draft one relating to property.

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

24 ayes, one no.

Thank you. SB31 CD1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 32, final reading of House Bill 957, conference draft one relating to LA. LA.

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

24 ayes, one no.

Thank you. HB 957 CD1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 50, final reading of House Bill 511 conference draft 1 relating to public lands.

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

Senator Awa, 24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. HB 511, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee Report 51. Final reading of House Bill 732, Conference Draft 1, relating to shoreline management areas.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous—Senator Awa.

Mahalo Pelekikena. I rise in opposition of this Bill. Just real quick. Thank you. Just really quickly here because of, you know, being in the party that we're in, we catch a lot of flack from environmentalists. Environmentalists and our community out here on the North Shore were against this Bill. We are against this Bill.

We hear you folks. The other side is not in this case, and so I just want to state that for the record. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes, Senator Awa, Senator Gabbard.

23 ayes, two nos.

Thank you. HB 732, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 54. Final reading of House Bill 103, conference draft 1, relating to sentencing.

Is there any discussion?

If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations, Senators Aquino and Elefante. Any no votes? No vote, Senators Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 nos.

Thank you. HB 103, CD 1 passes final reading.

On page 30, Conference Committee Report Number 60, final reading of House Bill 398, Conference Draft 1, relating to compensation for court appointed representation.

Is there any discussion? Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this measure.

Please proceed.

First, I want to thank my colleagues and especially the chairs of Ways and Means and the Chair of Finance for agreeing to support this Bill and others that invest in our future by shoring up the Judicial Branch of government. This session, the Committee's past measures that made permanent the Women's Court and the Community Outreach Court, ee saw increases in payments to witnesses who appear in court for professionals that examine defendants for whether they are mentally fit to stand trial for court appointed lawyers in criminal cases and increased positions to provide critical probationary services.

Finally, with HB 398, the Committee's increased payments for court appointed attorneys and guardians ad litem—guardians ad litem.

The pay for guardians ad litem has not been increased in 18 years. The pay for court appointed attorneys has not been increased in 20 years. Consequently, our courts and the people of Hawaii face a deep shortage of lawyers willing to represent the most vulnerable people in our state.

The Judiciary has stated that while the entire state is affected by the situation, there's an unchecked crisis in the Third Circuit on the island of Hawaii as judges struggle to find lawyers and guardians ad litem.

In family court, these professionals perform a critical role in a wide range of family court cases, including representing the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected and parents whose parental rights may be terminated. Without this Bill, many people cannot obtain timely legal representation of fundamental and constitutional right in the State of Hawaii.

Some may view these bills as these as minor problems in the broad scheme of things, but our Constitution requires that criminal defendants be assigned a lawyer if they cannot afford one.

With the Office of the Public Defender stretched past its limit and very few attorneys willing to take cases where the judge appoints them because of the low reimbursement rate, serious cases can be dismissed for constitutional reasons and those accused of serious crimes released without a trial. These bills make that nightmare, nightmare scenario, much less likely. Mahalo.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 398, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 61, final reading of House Bill 277, conference draft 1, relating to vehicular pursuit.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no—reservations, Senator McKelvey. No vote, Senator Awa, Senator Fevella.

23 ayes, two nos.

Thank you. HB 277, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 62, final reading of House Bill 1259, conference draft 1, relating to transportation.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes, Senator McKelvey, Senator San Buenaventura.

23 ayes, 2 nos.

Thank you. HB 1259, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 65, final reading of Senate Bill 532, conference draft 1, relating to the Department of Education.

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

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 532, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 69, final reading of Senate Bill 1433, conference draft 1, relating to harm reduction.

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

23 ayes, two nos.

Thank you. Is this SB 1433, Madam Clerk?

Yes, Mr. President.

SB 1433, CD 1 passes final reading.

On page 31, Conference Committee report number 71, final reading of Senate Bill 694, conference draft 1, relating to the detention of minors.

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

23 ayes, two nos.

Thank you. SB 694, CD1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 77, final reading of Senate Bill 38, conference draft 1, relating to housing.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations, Senator Elefante, Senator Morawaki, Senator McKelvey, Senator Fevella. Any no votes? Senator Ihara. Reservations or no vote, Senator Kim? Reservations for Senator Kim as well. Senator Awa, no vote.

Thank you. SB 38, SD 2, I mean CD 1, passes final reading.

23 ayes, two no's.

Conference Committee report number 78, final reading of Senate Bill 66, conference draft 1, relating to housing.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 66, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 79, final reading of House Bill 1162, conference draft 1, relating to motorcycle instruction permits.

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

22 ayes, three nos.

Thank you. HB 1162, CD 1 passes final reading. We'll take a short recess so you can look at the floor amendment that was just put on your desk.

I want to call the Senate back into order, and just so the Members are aware of procedurally what we are doing, we received verbal communication that there is an error in Senate Bill 1396 that needs to be corrected, according to DOTAX.

Our Crackerjack Ace staff has gotten the floor amendment ready to be considered, but we are not in receipt of DoTax's memo as to why this needs to be done.

So, we're going to resume where we are, and as soon as we can get the memo so that we could justify amending it, then we'll proceed to the floor amendment. Madam Clerk.

We're on page 31, conference Committee report 81, final reading of House Bill 226, conference draft 1, relating to windshield tinting.

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

21 ayes, 4 nos.

Thank you. HB 226, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee Report Number 82, final reading of House Bill 228, Conference Draft 1, relating to license plates.

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

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. HB 228, CD 1 passes final reading.

On page 32, Conference Committee report number 84, final reading of Senate Bill 104, conference draft 1, relating to corrections.

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

23 ayes, two nos.

Thank you. SB 104, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 88, final reading of Senate Bill 1323, conference draft 1, relating to health care.

If there are no objections from the Members, we will be recommitting this Bill at the concurrence of both our chair, San Buenaventura and the House chair, Takayama. There are some things that need to be fixed that can be done by next year. Hearing no objections, so ordered. Next item, please.

Conference Committee report number 89, final reading of Senate Bill 1429, conference draft 1, relating to medical cannabis.

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

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 1429, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 92, final reading of Senate Bill 1095, conference draft 1, relating to license plates.

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

24 ayes, one no.

Thank you. SB 1429, CD 1 passes final reading—oh, I'm sorry, Senate Bill 1095, CD1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee Report Number 93, final reading of Senate Bill 1102, Conference Draft 1, relating to the aircraft rescue firefighting unit.

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

24 ayes, one no.

Thank you. SB 1102, CD 1 passes final reading.

On page 33, Conference Committee report number 94, final reading of Senate Bill 1195, conference draft 1, relating to transportation.

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

23 ayes, two nos.

Thank you. SB 1195, CD 1 passes final reading.

Conference Committee report number 95, final reading of Senate Bill 1216, conference draft 1, relating to transportation.

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

21 ayes, 4 nos.

Thank you. SB 1216, CD 1 passes final reading. I believe we're in receipt of the communication from the Department of Taxation, so if there are no objections, short recess so we can get that to Senator Kanuha.

Will the Senate come back to order? Can we consider the new floor amendment?

Madam Clerk, Members, we are on page 35. Turning to that page, this is conference Committee report 200, final reading of Senate Bill 1396, conference draft one relating to economic development. Senator Kanuha.

Mr. President, I wish to offer a floor amendment to SB 1396 CD1 related to economic development.

Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.

Floor amendment number 16, proposing an amendment to Senate Bill 1396, Conference Draft 1, copies of which have been distributed to the Members.