Senate Standing Committee on Government Operations
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Welcome to the Committee on Government Operations reconvening today, Tuesday, February 10, 2026 3:00pm for decision making on measures previously heard. On February 5th, convene in Conference Room 225. Meeting is being streamed live on YouTube.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
In the very likely event that we have to abruptly end this hearing due to technical difficulties, the Committee will reconvene to discuss any outstanding business at 3:30pm Tuesday, February 12, 2026 in room 225. And a public notice will be posted on the legislature's website. With that we'll go right into the 3pm agenda.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
First up, we have 2983 relating to natural resources criminal destruction of trees. Recommendation is that we move this along as a Senate draft one technical non substantive amendments for purposes of clarity and consistency, a defective date of 2525.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Also note in the Committee report that notwithstanding the no vote of my colleague to have the Committee on Judiciary look at whether there should be some language to clarify removal of invasive species which should still be allowed. Members questions? Comments have not. Vice Chair Senate draft 1, 2983.
- Brenton Awa
Legislator
No. Noting that we're all here to protect the trees, but if we cut down like some ...I don't want nobody getting fined for that. Thank you.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Duly noted. We have that in the community report. So you. You're on duty here. You can make sure they address that. All right, next up, 2930. We're revolving to the state Risk Management Revolving Fund. Recommendation is that we blank out the amount defective date of 25-25.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
We're gonna recommend that the next Committee Ways and Means look at potentially considering raising the amount to the full ceiling, which I believe is $211 million in there. We're gonna put about as hard of a condition precedent as we can in a Bill that hasn't been enacted. In the Committee report.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
We're going to make it a condition precedent that the spreadsheet be delivered to the Committee and means for full deliberation before the measure moves forward. Okay. Any other questions or comments? If not. Vice Chair 2930 Senate Draft 1, I vote yes.
- Mike Gabbard
Legislator
Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments of the Members present. Are there any No votes or reservations? Hearing none. The measure passes.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay. Relating to procurement. This makes permanent the small business procurement program. Recommendation on this one is we remove the appropriation and the FTEs. We'll put them in the committee report. We're going to defect date section 6 to January 1, 2525 and section 7 to July 1, 2525.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
And also we want to note in the committee report that by making this office permanent, it could also assist FPO in some of the other legislative endeavors we have going on, like the local procurement preference. Members, questions, comments? If not, Vice Chair. 2928, Senate Draft 1, I vote yes.
- Mike Gabbard
Legislator
Chair's recommendations to pass with amendments. Are there any no votes or reservations? Hearing none. The measure is adopted.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay. 2927 relating to procurement disclosure of competing proposals. With everybody's indulgence, we'd like to go ahead and address a few more issues so we defer time certain Thursday, February 12th at 3 pm in this room 225. Okay. 3068 same thing. We would like to committee's indulgence to defer time. Certain Thursday, February 12th 3:00 pm in room 225.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Yeah, they are. We're going to handle them together on Thursday. Yeah, correct. They are the same. We're going to dispense of them both together on Thursday. Just want to make sure we're getting the best of everything. Okay.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Next up, 2970, relating to standards of conduct. Prohibits the state agency from entering into contract to procure dispose of goods or services. What we're going to do on this one is we're going to add a defective date of 2525. We're going to adopt the Ethics Commission's recommendation of subsection C.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
The director, acting director of a principal state department and any deputy director of the department shall be responsible for ensuring that all contracts entered into by the department comply with this section. And a subsection D, any violation of this section shall be assessed against the director, acting director, or deputy director at the time the violation occurred. With that, any questions or comments? If not, Vice Chair. 2970, Senate Draft 1, I vote yes.
- Mike Gabbard
Legislator
Chair's recommendation to pass with amendments. Are there any no votes or reservations? Hearing none. The measure is adopted.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay. Thank you. Senate Bill 3015 relating to personal information, with the committee's indulgence, I'd like to also roll this forward. Time certain Thursday, February 12th at 3 pm in room 225. I'd like to discuss some things with the author before we bring back an amended version for the committee's consideration. Next up, Senate Bill 2929 relating to public notice.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
This too, we're going to go ahead and defer time certain to Thursday, February 12th, at 3pm. We want to look at some of the concerns that were raised in the testimony by SPO. And then finally, we have 2938, relating to search and rescue. We were planning to move this measure out.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
However, in the recommended amendment it could trigger a re-referral. So we'd like to discuss it with the appropriate Committee Chair before we do that. And with their concurrence, we'll bring it back Thursday, February 12th, at 3pm in Room 225 for consideration. And finally, we will clock out of our 3pm agenda.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
And we will go into our 301 agenda with everybody's indulgence. Which is Senate Bill 2662 relating to government accountability. This addresses the use of external consultants. What we're going to do is a couple of amendments. We're going to remove the cap on page four.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
On page four, we're going to remove lines 5 through 11, which was the preemptive approval on page five, lines 5 and 6. We're going to amend it to read technical or specialized expertise unavailable in the Department and a defective date of 2525 for further conversation. Next Committee. Also, the Committee report.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Given the concerns of the Auditor, we're going to put in language to have them look at potential appropriation or FTE support should they be required to do the work that's envisioned under the Bill. Members, any questions or comments on this work in progress? Seeing none. Recommendation Senate Draft 1. I vote Yes.
- Mike Gabbard
Legislator
On SB2662, Chair's recommendation to pass with amendments. Are there any No votes or reservations? Hearing none, the measures is adopted.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay, I think that does it for the DM. Welcome back. Moving on to the next agenda. GBO EIG joint hearing Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 3:05 pm. In order to facilitate this hearing in a timely manner, we will be enforcing a two-minute limit on testimony.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
As such, we ask that you do not read it if you've submitted it, but rather expand on it. And please feel free to stand on your written testimony. First up is 2543, relating to state construction projects. Office of the State Construction Manager within DAGS. First up, we have the Comptroller.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Thank you for your comments. Appreciate it. University of Hawaii. Okay, thank you very much. Next up we have DLNR. Which DLNR is it? Okay, thank you for being here. Appreciate your comments. We have the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund.
- Cody Sula
Person
Hi, Chair, Vice Chair. Please allow me just a minute. My name is Cody Sula with the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund. Part of the reason why we support this bill is the main point of this was to make sure that we got a handle and we take a look at all of this overspending and wasteful spending on all these large state construction projects. We're not against construction, we work in construction.
- Cody Sula
Person
But we believe that if we can save money in certain areas, we can have a more healthy construction industry, more projects, more work for our people. And then some of the money that's saved can go to other programs that actually help provide tax credits for our people to stay home and make Hawaii more affordable. And we also submitted testimony, we stand on that. Thank you.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Thank you very much for being here. We also have testimony in support from you. Actually not you, but your boss. But you're just as good. So come on in.
- Cliff Laboy
Person
Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair, and Committee Members. What you heard Cody said is exactly why we're here. But our main reason, and I feel it's important that you guys aware of this.
- Cliff Laboy
Person
For the last few years, we've been trying to pass a tax credit bill that will give the retirees and the kupunas and the families that making the lower income some breaks on their taxes for medical, food, or household things. And we've been getting the same answer. No, no money, no money, no money.
- Cliff Laboy
Person
So we decided to say okay, let's go see, look into the state and see how we what's going on there so that we can hopefully work with some of the other departments to free up some money. I have a list over here, the small list. 10, 10 projects. $350 million wasteful spending or extra spending. Yeah.
- Cliff Laboy
Person
Due to construction projects that are given to our contractors under like design build contracts. It's like giving them an open book, open check to do change orders. And we wanted DAGS to know that we're not against them. In fact we had a meeting with them, was a very good meeting. And whatever adjustments and changes that they going to make today, we support them 100%.
- Cliff Laboy
Person
We've worked with them. We top the bottom. We're happy to say that they're open doors that they understand where we coming from and what we need to do to help the less fortunate in the state of Hawaii. And we feel by doing this pilot program with the construction and how they manage and how they run their project in the near future going to save a lot of money. So that is why we're here.
- Cliff Laboy
Person
So whatever DAGS is going to put on the table as far as the changes and all of that, we hundred percent support them, along with the rest of our members, 10,000 strong. And we hope we can free up some money here to go in different areas so that we can do stuff for the people that really need it. Thank you very much for your time.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay, thank you very much for being here. Next up we have Randy Perreira, HGEA. They are in actual opposition. Julia Fink, AIA Architects. They have submitted comments. Johnnie-Mae, Johnnie-Mae Perry. They have put in comment, or support actually. We have late from Gary Kurokawa from the, again, from Ironworkers. Okay, in support. And 2543. That is it.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Is there anybody else on this measure wishing to testify? Seeing none. Members, are there any questions? Nope. Seeing none. We'll move on to the next one, which is 2435, electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger ready. First up, DAGS.
- Keith Regan
Person
Chair, we stand on our written testimony in support of this measure.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay, thank you so much. We have the Hawaii State Energy Office.
- Chris Yunker
Person
Chris Yunker from the Hawaii State Energy Office. We stand on our written testimony providing comments and are here for questions.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay, thank you so much. Let's see, we have also Climate Change Coordinator for the Climate Change Mitigation Adaptation Commission. Okay, thank you so much. Hawaii EV Association. They have submitted written in support. 350 Hawaii, written in support. Ted Bohlen, Climate Protectors, in support. Tiffany Yajima, Alliance for Automobile Innovation.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
They are in support. And several individuals. B.A. McClintock, Jacob Wiencek, Christian Kaakua, and Johnnie-Mae L. Perry, all are in support. That's all I have on 2435. Anybody in the audience wishing to testify? Seeing none. Questions, anybody? Yes, go. Almost.
- Sharon Moriwaki
Legislator
So this is requiring DAGS to build 25% of all parking spots. Is that something that's in your plans, and does that make sense?
- Keith Regan
Person
Yeah. So I will just say this, that, you know, we have been retrofitting our state facilities, our parking facilities, and we have a plan to be able to do that so that all of our facilities are properly built out with the right infrastructure, not only to meet the needs of today, but also for the needs of tomorrow.
- Keith Regan
Person
As we know, as these vehicles become more enhanced or improved through technology, it may require additional electrical infrastructure that can accommodate that growth. And so we want to make sure that we're building out our facilities in that appropriate way. But we are putting those monies back in.
- Keith Regan
Person
In fact, if you look at the testimony, one of the things we're asking for is just to, as part of our budget request, are the ceiling increases in the special funds that we have so that we can further expand that. So our responsibility ends at DAGS managed parking facilities. And I think that's a really important note to make because we don't control all state parking facilities. DOT has parking facilities that they're responsible for, and we've got our own as well, so.
- Sharon Moriwaki
Legislator
So I have an EV, but I noticed that some of these stalls are going unused. And you can get cited for parking, being a non-EV parking in a stall. So I mean, that takes up space. Just to see what the balancing of. All of that might be. It's in state facilities.
- Keith Regan
Person
Yeah. So we have parking control officers that are patrolling our DAGS managed facilities, and they are issuing citations for people that are improperly parked in those specific parking spaces. As well as making sure that if you're in there and you have an EV that you're actually charging your vehicle.
- Keith Regan
Person
And you're not just sort of pretending to charge it because it's really meant to, you know, be an active stall. Right. So we do have, we do have staff that has that specific task to go around and make sure that we are keeping those stalls open for people that actually need to charge their vehicles.
- Sharon Moriwaki
Legislator
But I guess what I'm saying as well is what if you don't have people using, it stays vacant.
- Keith Regan
Person
It does, yeah. But you know, I think for the most part the EV stalls are pretty well utilized. I mean they...
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Net loss? I think that's what I kind of sense that... Correct me if I'm wrong, the concern is you're putting 25 additional electric, and now instead of 100, there's only 75 because 25 is now gone.
- Keith Regan
Person
Right, right. I mean, I will just say this. My goal is to meet the needs of our users that are in our state facility, our DAGS managed facilities. I want to be very clear about that. And as much as we can build out those EV stalls, we want to be able to maximize that.
- Keith Regan
Person
Because that is the direction I think that we're heading in, I mean, in terms of the future of vehicles. It may not be today and it may not be immediately tomorrow, but I think 10-15 years down the road, a majority of the vehicles will be electric. Right? That's right. They already are. Right? Actually.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Are you suggesting that we consider making it applicable to all agencies and not just DAGS?
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Well, we can. Okay, that's all. Any other Members questions at all? No. Oh, yeah. Senator Richards.
- Tim Richards
Legislator
Yeah, thanks. Director, as we're talking about this, I think about the Big Island and our distances there, et cetera. One of the concerns we've had is having the infrastructure to support EV charging, because that's been pushing it. Is that something that you will be evaluating as you go into it?
- Keith Regan
Person
We'll take everything into consideration as part of that process, Senator.
- Tim Richards
Legislator
I'll catch you up. We've had some issues with that. I don't disagree that electric will be the future, but for the rural district, it's a real challenge.
- Keith Regan
Person
It is, and we recognize that. And in fact, as part of our analysis when we're looking at approving purchasing of different types of vehicles, and you know that we're required to go through a multi step process where we eliminate sort of electric. We start with electric vehicles, plug in electric vehicles, hybrid. Right.
- Keith Regan
Person
And we kind of move down the list to the internal combustion engine vehicles. Exactly what you're describing is part of that calculus, right, to determine whether or not it makes sense. Because on your island, especially when you're talking about a two and a half, three hour commute from one side of the island to the other, it may not be feasible with the current technology that exists for EVs.
- Keith Regan
Person
Yeah, and we recognize that, you know, we have vehicles in our DAGS facilities out on your island in Hilo as well as in Kona. And one of the biggest things that's holding us back from having an electrified DAGS fleet on the island is that we just, you know, we can't find the right vehicle with the, with a large enough battery capacity to be able to operate that vehicle for the eight to 10 hours that it needs to be operated.
- Tim Richards
Legislator
Well, I appreciate that. And just for the record, I have asked manufacturers of electric pickup trucks, I said give me one, I'll give it to the cowboys and I'll tell you what's wrong with it in about two months. But I've had no takers of that.
- Keith Regan
Person
And if I can, Chair, really quick. Is DOT has been a huge adopter of some of these larger full size electrified vehicles. And I think they would be a great resource to be able to kind of share what their experience has been with those types of vehicles.
- Mike Gabbard
Legislator
So you said DOT is not under DAGS. What are we talking about in terms of these other agencies like DOT? How many are there that we're talking?
- Keith Regan
Person
That might have their own parking facilities? Yeah, DLNR may have their own. Yes, because they've got parking lots, right, that are out at their state parks. I don't know if the DOE might have their own parking lots, right, in their facilities for their teachers as well as some of their students perhaps or visitors that are coming to the facilities. The DOH might have at some of their state hospitals. Right. That aren't necessarily part of ours, but...
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Thanks, Vice Chair. Reminds us they're constitutionally separated. Any other questions on this bill? Looks like there are none. Thank you for coming up here. Okay, we have, going on next measure 2352, renewable energy. This is one that allows for self certification process of behind the meter customer sited solar distributed energy resource system.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Say that three times fast. First up we have testifying for independent energy, James Rudolph written in support. We have Miles Project Developer written in support. Roy Skaggs individual in support. Oh, I think I actually jumped to the second page. My apologies. I'm going to just go through these real quick and then we'll jump to the beginning.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Several individuals who've testified in support. We have late from Sierra Club, we have late from the Solar Supplies Solari Corporation, late from DCCA and late from Sunsphere Energy. Are any of these individuals or entities here to testify? Yep. Go ahead, sir. Mr. Sato
- Rocky Mould
Person
Aloha Chair McKelvey Chair Wakai, Rocky Mold with the Hawaii Solar Energy Association. I believe I submitted written testimony. I didn't see it in the printout on the website, but I want to testify in strong support of this measure. This measure would implement a self certification pathway for rooftop solar and energy storage.
- Rocky Mould
Person
It's something we've been advocating for a number of years and would be a major breakthrough. It would really help us to lower soft costs for solar going forward. And we need that help significantly because we've lost the federal residential tax credit and we have very ambitious goals to interconnect rooftop solar over the next five years.
- Rocky Mould
Person
So this would really help us get moving. And I'll just note, in addition, we worked out some language with the Department of Land and Natural Resources that fixes an issue with with permitting in FEMA flood zones. And we're very excited about that breakthrough language that we got across. So testifying in strong support.
- Rocky Mould
Person
I'm here to answer any questions. I'll make sure I get my testimony to you all somehow. But thank you very much for the opportunity to testify.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay. I jumped the signal of my other Committee here. So this is actually the EIG lead. So I will defer it back to you for the.
- Glenn Wakai
Legislator
So, Members, we're on Senate Bill 2352. We just heard from Rocky Mould. On our testifiers list, we have Ryan Kanakaole from DLNR or someone from DLNR.
- Carol Tyau-Beam
Person
Good afternoon, Carol Tyau-Beam Engineering Division. We stand on our written testimony to offer comments and we're here to answer any questions that you have with our collaboration with Rocky and the language with the bill.
- Andrew Okabe
Person
Chair and Vice Chair Andrew Okabe from PUC, we stand on our written comments, available for any questions. Thank you.
- Scott Sato
Person
Good afternoon, chairs, vice chairs and Members of the committees. I'm Scott Sato from KIUC. KIUC stands on its written testimony in respectful opposition to this measure and kindly asks for your consideration of the noted amendment in our testimony to exclude member-owned electric cooperatives from this proposal. Thank you for allowing me to testify.
- Glenn Wakai
Legislator
Thank you, Mr. Sato. We have Kerry Shahan from DCCA has submitted testimony in opposition. That's all I have for individuals indicating they'd like to testify. Is there anyone else in the room or online? Oh, Sandy.
- Sandra Wong
Person
Yes. So I'm not sure if you all received Rocky's testimony. This is Sandy Wong for the Hawaii Solar Energy Association. So I just wanted to add because we have worked collaboratively with DLNR and there was an amendment that DLNR wanted to insert and that we are in agreement to. In the Bill, it says design professionals.
- Sandra Wong
Person
However, the DLNR feels strongly that should not include landscape architects. And so I just want to bring that to the attention of the Committee.
- Glenn Wakai
Legislator
Sandy. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on Senate Bill 2352? If not Members, Any questions? Rocky, are you still there? Rocky Mould?
- Glenn Wakai
Legislator
So KIUC wants to be carved out of this measure. And I don't know what your experiences are on Kauai for getting rooftop solar permitted. Are you okay with cutting them out?
- Rocky Mould
Person
Yeah, you know, we've, they've been very efficient on Kauai with their permitting and so I have no problem. And we have no problem with allowing them to be cut out of this, of this requirement.
- Glenn Wakai
Legislator
Okay, thank. Thank you, Rocky. Members, any further discussion? If not, we'll take a brief recess prior to taking the vote.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Welcome back to the Committee. Joint Committees, Government Operations, Energy, Intergovernmental Affairs. We had a couple measures. First up was 2543. Recommendation is we're going to take the recommended amendments offered by all three entities, DLNR, DAGS and the University of Hawaii and throw a defective date of 2525 on there for further conversation. Members.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Recommend good staff is that we move with the Senate draft one. I vote yes.
- Glenn Wakai
Legislator
EIG Member, same recommendation. Any discussion? Senator Chang? I vote yes.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
All right, thank you, everybody. 2435, electric vehicle charging infrastructure. What's good for the goose should be good for the entire gander. So we're going to have it applicable to all state agencies and we're going to lower the threshold, given the concerns of my Committee Members to 10% with an effective day of 2525 Members. Questions? Comments?
- Mike Gabbard
Legislator
Chairs recommendations to pass with amendments. Of the Members present, are there any no votes or reservations? No vote Senator Awa, is there no electric at the airport? Measures adopted.
- Glenn Wakai
Legislator
Same recommendation for EIG. Any discussion? If not Senator Chang? I vote yes.
- Stanley Chang
Legislator
Chair's recommendation for Senate Bill 2435 is to pass with amendments noting the excusal of Senator DeCoite. Of the Members present, are there any objections or reservations? Okay. Noting an objection from Senator Fevella. The recommendation is adopted.
- Glenn Wakai
Legislator
Thank you. The last measure on this agenda is Senate Bill 2352 relating to renewable energy. The two chairs have conferred. We'd like to make a few substantive amendments. One is to take DLNR suggested amendment to exclude landscape architects.
- Glenn Wakai
Legislator
The second amendment will be to appease KIUC since they seem to be permitting solar rooftops quite quickly that we will carve them out of this measure and we're going to defect the date to April 19, 2042. Any discussion? If not, Senator Chang, I vote yes.
- Stanley Chang
Legislator
Chair's recommendation for Senate Bill 2352 is to pass with amendments. Members present, are there any objections or reservations? Seeing none. The recommendation is adopted.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay. Committee and government operations, same recommendation. Senate draft 1. I vote yes.
- Mike Gabbard
Legislator
On SB2352, are there any no votes or reservations? Hearing none. The measures adopted.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Aloha everybody. Moving on to our last agenda, today's joint let's see for joining us for the GBO hearing Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 3:10pm first up we have 3230 relating to procurement prohibits all governmental bodies and public employees from procuring services for project management through non governmental third party contracts.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
The State Procurement Office stands on its written testimony, providing comments.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay, thank you very much. Next up we have Department of Education. They have submitted comments. Believe they're supposed to be here in person. Going once, twice absent but we got the comments in writing. Let's see. President for the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii. They have written. Are they on zoom?
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay, sounds good. They're written in testimony in opposition. We also have late from Reed Mizui, an individual in opposition. Ikaika Kincaid in opposition. That's all we've received on 3230. Anybody in the audience wishing to testify? Seeing none. Members, questions? Seeing none. We'll move on to the next one.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
The agenda which is 3249 relating to procurement protest requires forfeiture of cash or protest bond in an administrative proceeding for review of procurement-related disputes if the initiating party does not prevail. First up is Keith Regan, DAGS.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
The State Procurement Office also stands on its written testimony, providing support.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay, thank you so much. We have Tim Lyons, subcontractors. They have submitted testimony in opposition. We also have General Contractors Association of Hawaii. They too have submitted testimony in opposition. We have Ralph S. Inouye Co. Ltd. They have submitted testimony in opposition. And finally we have Richard Hetzel, individual. They have submitted written testimony in opposition.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
That's all we received on 3249. Anybody in the audience wishing to testify? Seeing none. Members, questions? Okay, seeing none. We'll move on to the next Bill, and this would be triple 3-2, that's 3332, related to state-funded travel, establishes a two-year state-funded travel moratorium for certain state agencies.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
The State Procurement Office will stand on its written testimony, proving comments.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
Okay, thank you so much. We have Hawaii State Department of Education. They have submitted opposition. No comments. My bad. Christian Fern, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly. They have submitted testimony in opposition. And we have late from Terry Chang and Gregory Miskian, Misakian. Sorry, my bad. And they have written testimony in support.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
That's all we have on 3332. Anybody in the audience wishing to testify? Seeing none. Members, are there questions? Yep. Go for it.
- Donna Kim
Legislator
Thank you. Can I just submit this to the chair for your information? I guess. Keith Reagan, since you're here.
- Donna Kim
Legislator
So I guess the question I have for you is that you're saying that this is implementing a new layer of restrictions and would create unnecessary administrative complexity for state agencies. Can you explain that?
- Keith Regan
Person
Well, chair, Members, the legislation that's being proposed here would actually require DAGS to compile this information and provide a report to the Senate or to the Legislature on an annual basis. This is information that we're not already collecting, and so it would require us to divert staff and resources to be able to compile that information.
- Keith Regan
Person
I also understand that we already submit to the Senate through the budget process, a list of all of our travel, our annual travel, as well as detail or information that provides a summary overview of what those travel, what travel occurred throughout the year as well.
- Donna Kim
Legislator
So if, in fact, we did not have you do the summary report at the end of the year and that each Department would then be responsible for sending that in, that's your only objection?
- Keith Regan
Person
For me, it's just a resource. It's a matter of resources and having to track. Yes, ma'am.
- Keith Regan
Person
And I'm also. If you also look at the testimony, one of the things that I did mention was that within the Hawaii administrative rules, Chapter 3-10 there's actually a lot of. There's a lot of restrictions that are already in place within that administrative rules.
- Keith Regan
Person
And so if there are things that you think are missing, maybe we should be looking at the rules to perhaps add to the rules if we don't go the path of statute. So I'll just kind of throw that out there, that that's an option as well for you to consider.
- Donna Kim
Legislator
What's asking in this Bill is not really anything new. This is what you're supposed to be, or administrators or supervisors are supposed to be overseeing to begin with.
- Donna Kim
Legislator
So if we didn't have a problem, we probably wouldn't be here today talking about this, because if you look at the amount of travel that Wham went through, pages and pages for every single Department, and for DOE, we had 217 and didn't even answer all of those concerns.
- Donna Kim
Legislator
For, UH, was 458 pages and each page is like 60 or 70 lines. And so it's quite a lot of of travel and certainly in the times of austerity as we are in now, having the supervisors look at, because the Bill allows for a lot of exemptions, a lot of things that you know.
- Donna Kim
Legislator
So this is for travel, that discretionary travel. And even then there's exceptions made in here for that. And so I don't believe that this Bill adds on anything more other than the fact that you would have to then create this summary report.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
We only got one and of fish in the boat today. So, but this is going to Ways and Means, so thank you. Carry on the show there. All right, thanks. Anybody else? Anybody else? If not, we're going to move on to 3216 relating to regular session review working group.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
This is a companion of the one we heard the other day. First up, we have lrb. They have comments. We have spo. Okay, thank you so much for being here. Oip, they've submitted comments and then we've got support from Jacob Weanek, Lila Mauer and Lynn Matsu Matusao. Two are in support, Jacob and Lila and Lynn is opposed.
- Angus McKelvey
Legislator
That's all we have on 3260. Anybody in the audience. Dwindling audience testify? Seeing none. I have a joke, but I won't say it. That concludes today's hearing. What we do is all of these decisions, I mean for the bills heard today will happen on Thursday at 3 o' clock in room 225. Thank you for being here. This concludes the hearing. Did I get that right?
Bill Not Specified at this Time Code
Next bill discussion:Â Â February 10, 2026
Previous bill discussion:Â Â February 10, 2026
Speakers
Legislator