Senate Floor

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

[Roll Call] 23 present, 2 excused.

Thank you. The Chair's read the journal of the preceding day and approves the same. Are there any introductions this morning? If not, Madam Clerk.

Beginning on page one, Governor's message numbers 745 to 758. Transmit nominations to various boards and commission.

Governor's message numbers 745 to 758 are referred in accordance with the referrals on the order of the day.

On page four, standing committee report number 1350 for adoption.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of standing committee report number 1350.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

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

On page four, third reading.

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

Third reading of House Bill 998 relating to contents of citations.

Is there any discussion? Not Senator Wallow Pelikana.

I rise in opposition. Thank you. In this bill, I learned that police right now when they're giving you a citation, they have 11 requirements that they have to fulfill. And two of those requirements are a problem.

One of them is if they don't put your Social Security number on or not the bill but the citation, they don't put the Social Security number on or your address that when they get to the went to court, it can be thrown out.

And so this looks to be fix that, especially when police are trying to cite homeless.

What I disagree in this bill is, is that in the last part of it, it does say that omission of any of the information listed in paragraphs 1 to 11, those are the 11 requirements or any error in the citation shall not be grounds for dismissal as long as there's no prejudice and that I have a problem with it gives me flashbacks to the news and reporters put out misinformation and then, you know, there's no accountability to it.

We need to hold our officers accountable to doing their job with integrity and Getting it right. So that's my opposition to this model.

[Roll call]

Referral are made in accordance with the order of the day and any supplemental orders of the day that may be filed later today.

No further business. Mr. President.

Are there any announcements today? Senator Inouye, then, Senator.

Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege. I'd like to say that we from the Hawaii island and in Hilo, Ms. Isha Rose Mata has been nominated and voted to be Miss Hawaii USA. And we hope that we have an opportunity later to meet her someday here. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Senator DeCoite.

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

Please proceed.

Members of the Senate, this Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 is the annual Manufacturing and Innovation Day at the Capitol. My counterpart in the House, Representative Ilagan, and I invite you to join us in celebrating Hawaii's local manufacturers and technology innovators.

This event highlights their valuable contributions to our state's economy and fosters meaningful connections with legislators and the broader community. Join us on the fourth floor of the Capitol from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Hope to see you all there. Mahalo.

Thank you. Any further announcements?

Mr. President, if I could do one more announcement, please.

Yes, please proceed.

Also, just as a friendly reminder that the Women's Legislative Caucus 26th Annual Easter Basket Drive will take place on April 11th, 2025 immediately following the House session on the Rotunda level. The participating organizations include the Domestic Violence Action Center, Institute for Human Services, Parents and Children Together, the Salvation Army Hawaii and the Mohalamai Women's Prison Project.

We welcome your Easter Baskets donations, or you can also donate online. Plus, don't miss this chance to see which freshman legislator will have the honor of serving as the Easter Bunny. We hope to see you all on Friday.

On behalf of myself, Senator Kidani, as well as our House Representative counterparts, we look forward to including all of you. Mahalo.

Thank you. Any further announcements? If not, the Chair has two. The deadline to file standing committee reports on Senate Concurrent Resolutions that need to move laterally to the final committee is 5pm this afternoon. And two, since I wasn't here on Friday I'd like to again from the rostrum, thanks Senator Kidani for an outstanding education week.

I was certainly thrilled to see four of my counselors, principals and teachers from Kauai, you know, who were part of the group that you recognize. So, to you and your staff, congratulations on a fantastic job. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that the senate stand in recess, leaving the journal open until 5pm for the receipt and adoption of Standing Committee reports on Senate Concurrent Resolutions and Senate resolutions. Moving laterally to the final Committee. I further move that the Senate reconvene at 11:30am tomorrow.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. If there are no objections from the members, the Senate will stand in recession, leaving the journal open until 5pm for the receipt and adoption of Standing Committee reports and Senate Concurrent Resolutions and Senate resolutions, moving laterally to the final Committee and will reconvene at 11:30am tomorrow.