Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection

... Being streamed live on YouTube. You'll find a link to viewing options for our meetings on live and on demand video page of our website. In the event we have to end this hearing due to technical difficulties, we will reconvene on Thursday, April 3. 10:02 in this room. This is decision making. Oral testimony will be taken. If you're interested in reviewing testimony, please go to our website. Okay. First item. House Bill 496. Recommendation is to pass with amendments effecting the date to 2050. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

House Bill 496, passed with amendments. Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. [Roll Call]. Recommendation adopted.

CPN. Same recommendation. Any discussion? Not. Vice Chair passing with amendments. Chair votes Aye.

Vice Chair also votes Aye. [Roll Call]. Recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 700. Recommendation is to pass with amendments. We're going to include the Alzheimer's Association who has proposed amendments to insert clarifying language relating to dementia data collection, the inclusion of standardized evidence based cognitive assessments, Medicare Part C and relevant definitions, and will defect the date to 2050. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

House Bill 700, pass with amendments. All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

CPN, Same recommendation. Passing with amendments. Chair votes aye.

Of the CPN Members present, any voting reservations or objections? Hearing none. Your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1316. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

HB 1316 pass unamended. All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

CPN Committee, Same recommendation. Passing, unamended. Any discussion? Seeing none. Chair votes aye.

Thank you. Members present. Are there any voting with reservations or objections?

No.

Thank you. Your recommendation is adopted with one no vote.

Thank you. Next measure is HB 139, HD 2, SD 1 relating to insurance. The recommendation on this measure is to pass, unamended. Any discussion? Seeing none. Chair votes aye.

Thank you. Of the Members present, are there any voting with reservations or objections? Hearing none. Your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you.

Way and Means, same recommendation. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next measure is HB 250, HD 2, SD 1 relating to health. The recommendation is to pass with amendments. On page six, we'll add an additional objective. Making recommendations on treatments for common chronic or long term conditions. And on page eight, we'll clarify that the purpose of achieving health sector agreement on automating determinations is to decrease delays and disruptions of necessary patient care. Any discussion? Seeing none. Passing with amendments. Chair votes, aye.

Thank you. Of the CPN Members present any voting with reservations or objections? Hearing none. Your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. Ways and Means, same recommendation. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next measure is HB 303, HD 2, SD 1 relating to healthcare preceptors. The recommendation on this measure is to pass with amendments adopting the Hawaii Pharmacists Association proposed amendments which clarify the definition of a nationally accredited pharmacy residency program. And there are also technical non substantive amendments. Any discussion? Seeing none. Passing with amendments. Chair votes aye.

Thank you. Of the CPN Members present, any voting with reservations or objections? Hearing none. Your recommendation is adopt.

Thank you.

Ways and Means, same recommendation. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next measure is HB 480, HD 1, SD 1 relating to workers compensation. The recommendation is to pass unamended. Any comments or questions, Members. If not, passing unamended. Chair votes, aye.

Thank you. Of the CPN Members present, any voting with reservations or objections? Hearing none. Your recommendation is adopted.

Ways and Means, same recommendation. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next measure is HB 918, HD 2, SD1 relating to labeling. The recommendation on this measure is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Okay. If not, Chair votes aye.

Thank you. Of the CPN Members present, any voting with reservations or objections? Recording a no vote for Senator Awa. All others in the affirmative. Recommendation is adopted.

Ways and Means, same recommendation. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you very much. Last measure on this agenda is HB 1179, HD 1. SD 1 relating to rural emergency hospitals. The recommendation is to pass with amendments adopting the Department of Human Services proposed amendments relating to the Med Quest Division on page nine. Any discussion? Okay. If not, Vice Chair passing with amendments. Chair votes aye.

Thank you. Of the Members present, anybody with reservations or objections? Hearing none. Your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. We're adjourned. So sorry. Reconvening...

Ways and Means, same recommendation. Chair votes aye.

You only adjourned the one Committee.

Okay. All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Okay. Recommendation adopted.

Okay. Calling to order the ... agenda. First item is House Bill 86. Recommendation is to pass with amendments effecting the date to 2050. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

... Anyone voting no? With reservation? ...

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 110. Recommendation is to pass with amendments, effecting the date to upon .... Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 133. Recommendation is to pass unamended and will let the Committee report reflect potential concerns on Title IX issues relating to participation rates by male and female students in high school sports. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 202. Recommendation is to pass with amendments, blank the rates on page two, lines 15 to 16, and requiring the DLIR to do an actuarial study before the rates increase to show that there is a need for adequate reserves in the Unemployment Trust Fund. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 212. Recommendation is passed with amendments effecting the date 2050. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 242. Recommendation is to pass with amendments. We'll be taking amendments from the DOH testimony to change the reporting deadline from 2026 to 2027. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 286. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 395. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 399. Recommendation is to pass with amendments effecting the date to 2050. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. ... House Bill 401. Recommendation is to pass with amendments effecting the date to 2050. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item is House Bill 442. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 474. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 549. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Pass unamended. All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 563. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 613. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 620. Recommendation is to pass, unamended. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 650. Recommendation is to pass, unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes ...

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 705. Recommendation is to pass, unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 718. Recommendation is to pass with amendments effecting the date to 2050. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 773. Recommendation is to pass, unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 778. Recommendation is to pass, unamended effecting the date to 2050. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 782. Recommendation is to pass, unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 784. Recommendation is to pass with amendments, insert a blank appropriation for HHSC and fiscal years 26 and 27 for personal services and other expenses and effecting the date 2050. Any discussion? No. Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 862. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 879. Recommendation is to pass unamended. And we'll let the Committee report reflect DOH's appropriation request for fiscal years 26 and 27. Any discussion? Not. Chair voted aye.

Pass unamended. All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Okay. Next Item, House Bill 939. Recommendation is to pass with amendments and we'll adopt language from the Brewing Guild's testimony on quantity of barrels. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 943. Recommendation is to pass, unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 960. Recommendation is to pass unamended and will let the Committee report reflect testimony from DOT detailing the department's proposed Capital Advancement contract caps. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 961. Recommendation is to pass, unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 969. Recommendation is to pass with amendments and we'll insert a definition for significant aquifer as any aquifer sitting below class A or B agriculture lands as designated by the Land Use Commission and we will perfect the date upon approval. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 984. Recommendation is to pass, unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1079. Recommendation is to pass, unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1137. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Pass unamended. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1153. Recommendation is to pass with amendments inserting language to authorize the transfer of various Non General Fund accounts into the General Fund and adding a blank appropriation in FTEs to the Office of the Governor for fiscal years 2026 and 27 for current expenses and personnel services. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1156. Recommendation is to pass with amendments effecting the date to 2050. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1164. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1167. Recommendation is to pass unamended and we'll let the Committee report reflect testimony from DOT detailing the department's requested appropriation amounts. Any discussion? Not. chair ...

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1168. Recommendation is to pass with amendments adding a proviso to the revenue bond appropriation to read as follows, provided that in state residents with demonstrated financial need are assisted with a housing allowance, stipend or similar grant and aid to help offset a portion of an increase in room and board costs that promote long term affordability. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 1170. Recommendation is to pass with amendments defecting the date to 2050. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 1171. Recommendation is to pass with amendments effecting the date to 2050. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1220. Recommendation is to pass with amendments effecting the date to 2050. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1293. Recommendation is to pass with amendments inserting $250,000 cap on page two, line 20, insert a $20 million appropriation for the general revenues in fiscal years 26 to the Department of Education for food services from GM9 and will let the Committee report reflect amendments requested by the State Procurement Office regarding posting of awards on hands. Any discussion? Not. Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1294. Recommendation is to pass. Unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1308. Recommendation is to pass with amendments. We're changing the regulating agency from ... to the Department of Law Enforcement. Taking amendments from DOTAX to clarify that the enforcement of the general excise act imposed on sports wagering shall be administered by DOTAX.

Clarifying that youth sports events are prohibited from sports wagering by 1, changing the majority of participants are under 18 years of age on page 4 to that are youth sports event as defined in subsection 1. And 2, changing the majority of participants in the event are not under the 18 years of age on page 5 to provided that the event is not a youth sport event as defined in subsection 1, insert the following amounts.

$250,000 on page 14, line 5 and page 15, line 4, $10,000 on page 17, line 10, and page 18, line 6. 7% on each, 7% each on page 26, lines 4 and 7, to provide funding for gambling prevention and treatment special fund and education and $10,000 on page 28, line 7, $50,000 on page 28, line 12, and $100,000 on page 28, line 7 for the fines and 10% on page 45, line 17 for tax collections on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts. And will effect the date July 12025. Any discussion here?

Chair. I'll be voting no for the several reasons. I think I've received, and I'm sure most of you have received, phone calls coming in from spouses that their spouse, their husbands have had gambling problems and created very emotional instances within their families. I just believe that we're just sending the wrong message. Thank you.

Thank you.

Chair, also, thank you. I see a real problem in this. The Senate passed SB 891, which was to study what other jurisdictions have been going through. It has social and a lot of enforcement regulatory cost that may far outweigh the revenues that would be generated. So I too will vote no.

Thank you. Any Further discussion.

Chair. I'll be voting on reservations. I do appreciate your amendments, but I do have some concerns as it goes forward. Thank you.

Thank you. Chair votes aye.

Pass with amendments. Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes no. Senator Aquino. [Roll Call]. Motion adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 1320. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Pass unamended. All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1370. Recommendation is to pass. unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

All Members present. Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next Item, House Bill 1424. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item. House Bill 1427. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion. Chair votes ...

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item, House Bill 1477. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion? Chair votes aye.

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you. Next item. House Bill 1494. Recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion?

Anyone voting no? With reservation? Recommendation adopted.

Thank you.