House Floor

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

[Roll Call]

Excused.

[Roll Call]

Excused.

[Roll Call]

Here.

Madam Speaker, 49 Members are present. Two are excused.

Thank you. 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're in receipt of communication. Returning the noted House Bill having passed third reading in the Senate.

Representative Todd.

Madam Speaker, I move to disagree to the amendments made by the Senate to the noted House Bill.

Representative Morikawa. Madam Speaker, I second the motion. Any discussion? Members will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor say yes. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. Introductions. Members, are there any introductions? Representative Templo.

Thank you, Madam. Speaker. In the gallery, I'm honored to recognize Ms. Lynn Vasquez. Please stand. She is the founder of the Hawaii Slipper foundation. 20 years, Auntie Lynn had a dream to provide slippers to the kids at Mayor Wright Public Housing. And that vision grew and now she provides necessities to keikis throughout the islands.

And I had the privilege of knowing her through the Kalihi Palauma Neighborhood board, where I witnessed her commitment to the community. Today she has a boot at the 2025 Trades and Motorsports Education Fair happening at the Rotunda till one where you can see pictures of her ne drive.

So, Auntie Lynn, thank you for your compassion, your service, and Congratulations on your 20 years. Mahalo for all that you do, and welcome to your House of Representatives.

Thank you, Representative Morikawa. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Having lost both parents to cancer, and being a survivor myself, I'm honored to do this introduction and Especially mahalo them. For all that they do. The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it for everyone.

As part of the ACS Cancer Action Network today we have seated in the gallery participants for the Cancer Action Day here at the Capitol. Could you all please stand and welcome to your House of Representatives. Madam Speaker, may I have their names all entered into the journal?

So ordered. Thank you Representative Marten.

Thank you Speaker. I wanted to do a special welcome to my friend Carolyn Marks who is here with the those work working towards cancer. And also I noticed Ed no who is working with the public charter school Commission but has done so much for. The school in my district where he was principal.

So thank you very much and welcome.

To your House of Representatives, Representative Matayoshi.

Thank you Madam Speaker. Here in the gallery today we have a number of Wood Woodward constituents on a field trip here to the capital. If you could, I'd like their names entered into the journal if possible. So order. Could you all stand to be recognized? Yep. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative La Chica.

Thank you Madam Speaker. I just wanted to welcome and do a quick shout out for one of the ACS CAN volunteers and now retired Department of Health's former program manager of the Tobacco prevention education program, Ms. Lila Johnson. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Any further introductions? Okay then, let's move on to the order of the day. Item number five, floor presentations. Mr. Clerk, are there any floor presentations?

Yes, Madam Speaker. We have one floor presentation today. House Resolution number 208 congratulating the Kaua' I district Kapaa Kaua' I Waimea Complex area, 2025 Teacher of the Year. 2025 United States Senate Youth Program delegate, 2024 Prudential Emerging Visionaries winner, and 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. This resolution is offered by Representative Hashem.

Representative Hashem.

Thank you Speaker. I move to adopt this resolution.

Representative Woodson.

Madam Secretary. Second.

It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. Any discussion? Representative Hashem.

Madam Speaker, I defer to my colleague from Lihue.

Representative Evslin.

Thank you Madam Speaker. In support.

Please proceed.

On behalf of the Hawaii House of Representatives, I'd like to once again express our sincere gratitude to the students, teachers, faculty and schools of Hawaii for their exceptional contributions to our community. It is my pleasure to recognize Ms.

Leah Iwohi as the 2025 Kapaakaua' I Waimea Complex Area Teacher of the year. With 35 years dedicated to teaching in Hawaiis public schools. Mrs. Iwohi was also recognized as the Kapaaka' I Waimea Complex Area Teacher of the year in 2002.

She teaches a wide range of career and technical education subjects including computer science, media production and stem, while also serving as the CTE Coordinator, managing programs and student internships. Mrs. Iwohi works to promote equitable access to technology education with her students earning top honors in national media and STEM competitions.

She is a PBS Digital Innovator, All Star and CSTA Equity Fellow who emphasizes real world applications in her teaching. Mrs. Iwohi's extensive recognition is a true reflection of her commitment to fostering an inclusive, innovative classroom environment. Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Iwohi. I yield to my colleague from Waiali Kahala.

Representative Hashem.

Speaker, I am honored to recognize Mr. Ethan Yang. Please stand. Ethan is a senior at Kaiser High School and as a 2025 U.S. Senate Youth Program delegate, Mr.

Yang serves as the President of the Student Body, is an Executive officer on the Hawaii State Student Council, and advocates for public school youth statewide.

As a as the sole Hawaii Board of Education student Representative, he is also an ambassador for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, a founding member of the Mock Trial Team, and an active member of the former Secretary of the National Honor Society.

He is the winner of the Harvard Book Award, the State Access to Justice Commission Essay Contest, and the top competitor in the Voice of Democracy audio essay contest. Mr. Yang's ongoing efforts and academic achievements are a true testament to his outstanding leadership skills and dedication to serving his community. Please join me in congratulating Mr.

Ethan Yang in his incredible achievements. Speaker I yield to my colleague from Haleiwa.

Thank you Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Myron B. Thompson Academy's Mr. Genshu Price as a 2024 Prudential Emerging Visionary, the founder of Bottles for College, a nonprofit organization that collects recyclables to help Hawaii students pay for their college. Mr.

Price began collecting cans himself at the age of 10 when he realized it would take one student several decades to earn a sufficient college fund from collecting recyclables. From this, Mr. Price was inspired to harness the power of community to raise money for local students to access higher education.

To date, Bottles for College has recycled more than 1.75 million bottles and cans and has granted $43,000 to local students pursuing post secondary education and $10,000 in disaster relief to those affected by the Maui wildfires. Members, please join me in recognizing Mr. Genshu Price for his vision and contributions. I yield to my colleague from Ylai.

Representative Hashem.

Thank you, Speaker. I would like to recognize Koko Head Elementary School as a recently named Blue ribbon school under the leadership of Principal Kevin Diaz. Please stand. Koko Head Elementary School has surpassed statewide averages in English language arts by 10 percentage points and math by 16 percentage points.

A top performing school, Koko Head elementary is honored as a blue ribbon school for a second time meeting the performance award criteria for high performing schools. The school promotes a sense of belonging while also providing inclusive, a rigorous, well rounded and transformative educational experience for all students.

Please join me in recognizing the success of Koko Head Elementary School. On behalf of the House of Representatives, I would like to thank. I would like to also thank the guests in the gallery who have joined us to recognize our RDs. Welcome to your House of Representative. Speaker, I would request to put their names in the journal.

So ordered.

Okay.

Members, we will be taking a voice vote on this resolution. All those in favor say aye. The motion is carried. Representative Hashem, please proceed with the certificate and lay presentation. It the chair will call a recess to allow the members of the House to meet and congratulate the honorees. Recession. Will the House come to order?

Item number six, Reports of Standing committees. Representative Todd.

Madam Speaker I move to adopt Standing Committee report numbers 1285 through 1361 as listed on pages 2 through 21 and that the accompanying House bills as may be amended, pass second reading and be referred to their designated committees.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Any discussion on these items beginning with HSCR number 1285. Representative Pierick.

Thank you, no vote.

So ordered. Representative Perruso.

No vote

So ordered. Standing Committee report number 1286, 1287 on the top of page three, Standing Committee report number 1288, 1289, 1290. Representative Garcia.

No vote

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote

So ordered. Moving on to the top of page four, standing Committee report number 1291. Representative Garcia.

No vote

So ordered, Representative Muraoka

No vote

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm voting in opposition based on Judiciary's opposition testimony. Thank you.

Representative Matsumoto.

Reservations

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Moving on to Standing Committee Report 1292 1293. Representative Muraoka.

Reservations.

So ordered. 1294 at the top of page 5. Standing Committee Report 1295-1296-1297-1298 at the top of page 6. 1299 1300 1301. Representative Pierick in opposition. Please Proceed.

Thank you. If this Bill were to pass, it would open up the orchestra to receive state fundings. I think that we have a lot of issues going on in our state right now. Homelessness, housing, cost of electricity, potholes, and to allocate tax dollars towards musical instruments, the symphony. I don't think that's the best use of our time.

We're at the top of page seven. Standing Committee Report 1302 1303 Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka

Same request.

So ordered. Signing Committee Report 1304, Representative Garcia.

No vote

So ordered. Signing Committee Report 1305. At the top of page 8, Standing Committee Report 1306 1307 Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. 1308, Representative Pierick.

No vote

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Garcia.

Same request

So ordered. Moving on to signing Committee report 13091310 Representative Garcia

In opposition.

So ordered.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition to Senate Bill 1430. 1433, a bill that seeks to change our current policy which allows for one to one exchange with needles. This opens it up to an unlimited amount of needles exchange that could take place.

When you look at cities and states that have implemented policies such as this across our country, like San Francisco, Portland, Atlanta, other places, their cities are littered with needles today. And I don't think that's something we would want here in Hawaii. So for those reasons, it's bad policy. No vote.

[roll call]. So ordered. [roll call]. So ordered. [roll call]. So ordered. [roll call]. So ordered. [roll call]. So ordered. [roll call]. So ordered. Moving on to standing Committee report 1311. [roll call]. So ordered. 1312. [roll call]. Please proceed.

Thank you. This is a great idea. We need to increase the mental health of our state. However, the private practice or the private sector is always better when it comes to them versus state led health care.

Standing Committee report 1313, [roll call]. Moving on to top of page 10. Standing Committee Report 1314. [roll call] Moving on to Standing Committee report 1315, 1316, 1317. [roll call].

Any more votes on 1330? If not, let's go back to 1329. Representative Belatti.

[roll call]. Moving on to the top of page 11. Standing Committee Report 1318. [roll call]. Moving on to standing Committee report 1319. [roll call]. Standing Committee report number 1320.

1321, top of page 12, Standing Committee report 1322. [roll call]. 1323, [roll call]. 1324, [roll call]. 1325, [roll call]. Top of page 13, Standing Committee report 1326. 1327, [roll call]. 1328, [roll call]. [roll call]. 1329, [roll call].

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

Please proceed.

I agree with the concept, but the reason I'm in opposition of this is I believe this is a federal jurisdiction and we would have some legal concerns on this. So I'm voting in opposition. Thank you.

Moving on to the top of page 14. Standing Committee Report 1330, Representative Alcos.

When you get time, can go back to the next one.

Okay, let's go back to standing Committee report 1329, [roll call]. Moving back to Standing Committee report 1330, [roll call]. Please proceed.

Thank you. In public, financing elections leads to Republicans using their tax dollars to Fund Democrat campaigns and vice versa. So for those reasons, I vote no.

[roll call].

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

Please proceed.

I agree that we need to provide more opportunities financially for those who would like to run for office. My reservations are to respect the wishes of and the viewpoints of those who do not believe their taxpayer dollars should be provided for those they do not support. So thank you.

Representative Belotti.

Madam Speaker, my apologies. Can we move back to standcom report number 1329? When we have the opportunity, sure.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In strong support. Brief comments.

Please proceed.

Madam Speaker, there is a principle known as or there's a principle whereby our state constitution can provide greater protections than the United States Constitution.

The proposal and the amendment being put forward in this bill addresses head on and directly the damaging decision by the United States Supreme Court in Citizens United. We here as a State can determine that the freedom of speech shall not include the expenditure of money to influence elections.

This is an entirely appropriate question that should be put before the people of our community so that we can address head on the negative influences of dark money coming in and corrupting our electoral process. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Representative Souza.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in support. And I would like to. Thank you. And I would like to insert the words of the representative from Makiki into the record as my own and also my co chair for the Good Government Caucus. Thank you.

So ordered. We're back to Standing Committee report 1331. 1332, Representative Souza.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. A request for a ruling on a potential conflict. Or in the alternative, a disclosure.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My brother is the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

And this bill would benefit OHA as far as providing them seated a greater amount of ceded land revenues based on the Public Land Trust Working Group. And just to point out that the language of Senate Bill 903 was replaced with House Bill 1358. And in that particular bill it was ruled that there was no conflict. Thank you.

That ruling will continue regarding this bill and would. We can use this for all bills relating to this bill moving forward. Thank you. Moving on to Standing Committee Report 1333 at the top of page 15. Standing Committee Report 1.

Excuse me, Speaker.

Yes. Representative Shimizu.

SCR 1333.

Yes.

I rise in opposition with brief comment. Please.

Please proceed.

I agree in principle with this bill. But I believe in this day and age, we are in a global multinational economy. And the restrictions proposed by this bill I feel is not very enforceable. Thank you.

Okay, moving on to the top of page 15. Standing Committee Report 1334-1335-1336-1337, [roll call].

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

Please proceed.

I agree childcare is definitely an essential. But I believe this bill would probably open up some questionable application. And for that reason I oppose the bill. Thank you.

Moving on to the top of page 16. Standing Committee Report 1338. [roll call]. 1339. 1341. Top of page 17. Standing Committee Report 1342, [roll call]. 1 through 3. 4. 3. 1344, [roll call]. Standing Committee Report 1345-1346-1347-1348. 1349. 1350. 1351, [roll call].

1352 [roll call]. Rep. Standing Committee report 1353, [roll call]. We're at the top of page 20. Standing Committee Report 1354. [roll call]. 1355, [roll call]. 1356. 1357. At the top of page 21. Oh, excuse me. Representative Amato.

Thank you. Madam Speaker. On 1357.

[roll call]. At the top of page 21. Standing Committee Report 1358. 1359, [roll call]. Moving on to standing Committee Report 1361. 1361. [roll call].

Is that on 1360? Thank you, so ordered. [roll call]. Moving on to standing Committee report 1361. Okay, representative Muraoka.

If we have some time, can we go back to stancom 1340?

1340. Yes, let's do that. Let's just finish up. Anybody else on 1361? Okay, then we're going to go back to 1340. [roll call].

Members will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor, say aye. All those opposed, say no. The motion is carried. Item number seven. Announcements. Members, are there any announcements? Seeing none. Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I move that this House stand adjourned until 12 o' clock noon tomorrow.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

All those in favor, say aye. All those opposed, say no. The motion is carried. The House stands adjourned until 12 noon tomorrow.