House Floor

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

[Roll Call] Madam Speaker, 50 Members are present. One is not present.

Item number two, reading of the journal. Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I move we dispense with the reading of the journal of the first through the third days and approve the same as though read throughout.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

It has been moved and seconded that journal days one through three be approved. Any discussion? We'll be taking a voice vote. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. Journal days one through three are approved. 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?

Madam Speaker, there are none.

Members, any introductions? Representative Gedeon.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is my great privilege to introduce the ohana from JPG Hawaii. As I say your name, would you please stand to be recognized? Jean-Paul Gedeon, Branden Gedeon, Stephanie Staton, Tim Bada, and Jodi Nakama. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Members, any further introductions? Okay. Seeing none, we'll turn to the order of the day. Item number five, reports of standing committees. Representative Kahaloa.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt standing committee reports number 17-26 through 31-26, as listed on pages one through five, 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.

Members, any discussion on these items, starting with standing committee report number 17-26? Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate. I stand in support with reservations and comment please. I understand the high cost of doing business and how we are trying to help that by providing a tax credit. I would comment that we move this to expand beyond the construction industry to all employers who provide that benefit for their employees. Thank you.

Representative Kapela.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In strong support with a brief comment. The very first Labor Day was in the 1880s as a way to honor workers' contributions. In fact, the very first Labor Day parade was September 5th of 1882, held in New York City. Hawaii has always been at the forefront of organized labor and supporting unions.

I think that this is incredibly important because when we think about some of the things that are so ingrained in our society, some of the opportunities that we just think of as second nature. Things like an eight hour workday, minimum wage, child labor laws, unemployment insurance, Social Security, worker safety and health laws.

So many of those things have been moved forward because of the strength of labor. Yet unfortunately, there are still workers who have to work through such an incredible and special day. And I think this is a wonderful way for us to honor all workers across the state.

So yes, there are things that need to be adjusted and tweaks that need to be made, but that's one of the beautiful things about this process, and I'm excited to see this measure and move forward.

Turning next to page two, standing committee report number 18-26. 19-26. 20-26. 21-26. Top of page three. 22-26. 23-26. 24-26. Representative Garcia. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered. Standing committee report number 25-26. Top of page four. Standing committee report 26-26. 27-26. Representative Garcia. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate. I rise in support with reservations. Appreciate the intent of this bill. I just like to have concerns. Be aware of our businesses and how that affects them. Thank you.

Turning to standing committee report 28-26. 29-26. Representative Tam. On 29-26. Please proceed. Reservations. So ordered. Okay. Top of page five. Standing committee report 30-26. Representative Poepoe. With reservations. So ordered. Representative Pierick. No vote. So ordered.

Representative Matsumoto. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Gedeon. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Alcos. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote. So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition with a brief comment. I support the Department of Hawaiian Homelands and their efforts. I can understand their creativity in trying to further their mission. I am also someone who believes that we should be looking into thermal energy.

However, I rise in opposition because I don't believe they're the proper entity to be engaging in this, and it's detracting from their main mission of providing housing. So that is my main reason for opposing this bill. Thank you, Speaker.

Representative Reyes Oda. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Cochran. No vote for me. So ordered. Okay, Members, turning to last bill, standing committee report number 31-26. Okay, let's see. Members, we'll be taking a voice vote. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. Item number six, introduction of resolutions. Mr. Clerk, are there any resolutions for action?

Madam Speaker, there are no resolutions for action. May all others be referred to print.

So ordered. Item number seven, announcements. Members, are there any announcements? Representative Matayoshi.

Thank you, Speaker. From her bills, you can see she's a big fan of trees. She works with students from high school to kindergarten. Happy birthday to Rep. Lisa Marten.

Any further 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 o'clock noon tomorrow.