House Floor

Will the House come to order? Members, before we begin, we have some housekeeping to take care of. This past weekend, following Governor Josh Green's announcement that state offices would be closed on Monday, February 92026 due to potentially severe weather conditions, the Senate President and I jointly decided that the Legislature would also be closed.

This meant that day 12 of the 2026 legislative session did not occur. As a result, today, which would have been day 13, is redesignated day 12. Numbering of all subsequent legislative days will be adjusted accordingly. This redesignation will not affect any deadlines on the legislative timetable. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

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?

Yes, Madam Speaker. We are in receipt of message number three, requesting the immediate passage of the noted emergency appropriation bills. May this matter be received and filed.

So ordered. Item number four. Senate Communications. Mr. Clerk, are there any Senate communications?

Yes, Madam Speaker. We're in receipt of a communication transmitting the noted Senate Bill having passed third reading in the Senate.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I move that the Senate. Bills laying on the Clerk's desk pass. First reading by title.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

It has been moved and seconded that the Senate Bill laying on the clerk's desk pass first reading by title. We will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. Senate Bill passes first reading. Members, are there any introductions? Representative Iwamoto.

Thank you. Madam speaker, it's my honor to introduce you to some of our incredible students from the John A. Burns School of Medicine. These Students are part of the HOME program specifically. Specifically, the Hawaii Youth Program for Excellence. These students hold clinics for the adults. And children who live in four Oahu homeless shelters.

And with them today is Professor Jill Omori. And if I may read the students who are also here. Madison Balash, Angel Dela Cruz, Kiana Kaya. Nick Kikuta, Haram Kim, Filippo Maldini, Cooper. Wench, Anna Peters and Asia Yamada. If you please rise and be recognized. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the gallery today, we have a constituent visiting from Kona. They are not wearing a white coat, but they help ensure that if you need anything communicated, they will always find a better and more seamless way to communicate. To all. Welcome Elijia Johnson to your House of Representatives.

Any further introductions? If not, let's move on to the order of the day. Item number five, Reports of Standing Committees Members. We will be taking up a motion to correct the date of 13 Committee reports dated for Monday, February 9, as the 12th legislative day.

Representative Kahaloa. Madam speaker, notwithstanding the placement of the February 92026 date on House Standing Committee reports 5626 through 12526 I move that the date be changed to reflect Today's session date, February 102026. Representative Morikawa. Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Any discussion? Members, we will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor, say aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried.

Representative Kahaloa. Madam Speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee reports numbers 56-26 through. Through 129-26 as listed on pages 2 through 20, and that the accompanying House bills, as may be amended, pass second reading and be referred to their designated committees.

Representative Morikawa. Any discussion on these items beginning with HSCR number 56-26, 57-26, 58-26. The top of page three. HSCR number.

Madam Speaker.

Representative Pierick.

Thank you. 45826. Yes. No vote. Thank you.

So ordered. Moving on to the top of page three. Signing Committee report number 59-26. Representative Garcia.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

No vote.

Thank you, Madam Chair. With respect to the introducer. Excuse me. With respect to the introducer, I understand and agree that waste is a concern. However, cost of living is the number one issue. And we should allow businesses to make those decisions.

Representative Shimizu, are you for or against this?

I'm sorry. I'm getting ahead of myself. I stand in opposition.

So ordered. Please proceed.

So, as I was saying in advance. Again, my apologies, Speaker. I believe cost of living is the number one issue. And we should allow businesses to make those decisions based on their own economics. Their profitability affects their capacity to support their employees and reinvest into capital improvements which supports our construction and our economy.

So, with all due respect to the supporters, I am voting no. Thank you.

Moving on to standing Committee report number 60-26. 61-26. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. No vote.

So ordered. 62-26. Moving on to the top of page four. Signing Committee report 63-26. Representative Morocca.

Reservations.

So ordered. 64-26. 65-26. 66-26. Top of page five. HSCR 67-26.

Excuse me, Speaker.

Representative Shimizu.

Can we go back to 66-26?

Yes.

I stand in support with comment. Please.

Please proceed.

Speaker, I know we have broad support with a large number of co introducers on this Bill. However, the Office of Enterprise Technology Services. Their testimony states that this Bill goes beyond their scope. So although I support this bill, I'm not sure where we go from there and the ultimate implementation.

So I just wanted to put that on the record. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Representative Marten.

Thank you very much. In support. I just want. Yes, in support. I just wanted to clarify that this bill also expands the scope of of the Office of Community of Enterprise Services to accommodate the purpose of this bill. Thank you.

Moving on to the top of page 5. HSCR number 67-26. 68-26. 69-26. 70-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Moving on to the top of page 6. HSCR number 71-26. 72-26. 73-26. 74-26. Top of page 7. HSCR number 75-26. Representative Garrett.

Madam speaker, ruling on a potential conflict.

Please state your contract. Your potential conflict.

Yes. I serve as both an educational worker and a sports official. Who stands to benefit from this legislation?

No conflict. You are part of a general class. This ruling will apply until CNDA.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Moving on to HSCR number 76-26. 77-26. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in support with reservations.

Please proceed.

I agree with the introducer and the wide support of co signers, including supportive testimony from DOE themselves and the Governor's Homeless Coordinator that homeless students need to be properly taken care of and we don't want them falling through the cracks.

However, I believe we need to look very carefully within DOE before tasking them to create and establish an Additional program and assign coordinator positions when they are already I feel short staffed and struggling to meet their broader basic goals. So that's my reservations. But I support the intent and thank you. Madam Speaker.

Representative Moraoka.

Reservations please.

So ordered. Representative Garcia.

Same request.

So ordered. Moving on to HSCR number 78-26. Representative Moraoka.

Reservations.

So ordered. On the top of page eight. Standing Committee report number 79-26.

Madam speaker.

Representative. Representative Perruso.

My apologies.

If we could go back to 78-26.

Okay, go right ahead.

Rise in support of House Bill 1825 with some important reservations.

Please proceed.

This bill responds to a real and ongoing teacher shortage that has left too many classrooms without stable staffing. So in that context, extending the allowable period for emergency hires may help reduce, churn and provide short term continuity for students and school communities.

At the same time, I think that we should be honest about the larger system that we've built. Today, nearly 10% of those serving as teachers in Hawaii classrooms are working under emergency status without full preparation or licensure. Those conditions are not evenly distributed. They fall hardest on schools serving our lowest income communities.

And that reality should concern all of us. Emergency hiring is a stopgap, not a solution. Extending it without simultaneously strengthening our preparation, mentoring and pathways to licensure risks normalizing a system where some students consistently receive less prepared educators.

That is why this bill must be understood and supported alongside the work now underway to build long term solutions, including the registered teacher Apprenticeship program which is designed to train and support future teachers while they work, pair them with experienced mentors and move them intentionally through towards full licensure. It may.

This bill may help us manage the present, but our responsibility is also to build a future that is positive for our students and our young people. One where every classroom is led by a fully prepared, supported and licensed teacher. Mahalo.

Moving on to the top of page nine. Page eight, standing Committee report number 79-26. 80-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. 81-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. 82-26. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. No vote.

So ordered. Representative Garcia.

Same request.

So ordered. The top of page nine. HSCR number 83-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

No ordered. 84-26. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. Back to 83-26.

Okay.

In opposition.

So ordered.

So this bill would allocate $500,000 to build one website and it would allocate $100,000 to maintain that website.

If somebody's not good at C programming or other tech Stuff they can jump onto Squarespace or Wix other platforms and build a website, sometimes for free, sometimes with a free trial or with a year subscription of $100.

When I was in college, I built a website for free and then bought a domain for like $13.99 and had it. When you clicked on the free link, it went to the paid for domain. So this price of building a website for $500,000 is incredible. I am a novice C programmer at that. That's even probably unfair statement.

I know how to dabble with it. And to think that you're going to pay somebody $500,000 to build a website is pretty interesting. That's not even addressing the issue of the bill, which is climate change. So I'm voting no on this bill.

Representative Muraoka.

No vote.

So ordered. Let's move on to HSCR number 84-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. 85. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you. Madam speaker, rise in opposition.

Please proceed.

With all due respect to the introducer, and I apologize if I don't know enough about this bill, but I. I believe we should not eliminate consumer rights to choose by removing gas water heaters and promoting electric water heating systems utilizing heat pump technology in its place.

And I believe we should allow consumers and developers to have that choice, that freedom of choice. Again, cost of living is the top voter concern with housing being the number one cost factor. We had opposing testimony from developers and builders stating that these types of bills and regulations increase costs by taking away their freedom to choose.

So based on that, I respectfully vote in opposition. Thank you.

Representative Quinlan.

In support.

Please proceed.

Gas water heaters are still in the bill.

Moving on to HSCR number 85-26. 86-26. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. No vote.

So ordered. On the top of page 10. HSCR number 87-26. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. No vote.

So ordered. 88-26. 89-26. 90-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Moving on to the top of page 11. HSCR number 91-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. 92-26. 93-26. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Moraoka.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Garcia.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu?

Yes, thank you. Madam Speaker. Yes, with reservations.

Please proceed.

I want to acknowledge the efforts of our Transportation chair, noting in the Committee reports that Hawaii's transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, with aviation accounting for nearly half of those emissions.

However, there's a testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office that cautions that the design of incentive programs must be carefully calibrated to ensure they deliver substantive, verifiable emissions reductions with an appropriate and quantifiable value to the public.

And HSEO further notes that proposed expansion and removal of the individual taxpayer single producer claim could disproportionately benefit a limited number of producers or fuel pathways. So although I'm in support of transportation, Chair, and this Bill, I just wanted to state with reservations those concerns that we are able to quantify the benefits of such legislation.

Thank you, Chair. I mean, thank you, Speaker.

Moving on to standing Committee report number 9426. Representative Muraoka. No vote, so ordered. Representative Garcia, same request. So ordered. Representative Gideon. Reservations. So ordered. Moving on to the top of page 12. Standing Committee report number 95-26, 96-26. Representative Amato. Thank you, Speaker with reservations. So ordered. 97-26, 98-26. Representative Amato. No vote. So ordered.

On the top of page 13. Signing Committee report number 99-26. Representative Pierick. Thank you.

No vote. So ordered. 100-26. Representative Shimizu.

Sorry speaker, can we go back to 99-26 please?

Yes.

In opposition. So ordered. Brief comments please.

Please proceed.

You know, I, I did vote no in, in my Committee, in my Water and Land Committee. And although I, I, I can understand the reasons for this creative Bill introduction and want to have respect and congratulations to the introducer for working hard on this Bill.

However, I feel that what we're doing is bypassing SHIP D and what we should be doing instead of giving DHL more funding to create their own internal review Department and circumvent shipte, that we should be giving more money to shipti and allowing them to service DHHL properly and put language that allows SHIPTI to prioritize DHHL, which is by far a high priority clientele that we need to service.

So although there, there is good intentions, I, I have to voice my opposition and vote no on this. So thank you, Madam Speaker.

Moving on to HS. Representative Cochran. Yeah, no vote on this also. So ordered.

Request to put words into the journal.

So ordered. Moving on to HSCR number 100-26. 101-26. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. 102-26 on the top of page 14. HSCR number 103-26. Representative Garcia, so ordered. Representative Alcos. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda. No vote. So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Apologize, when one time. Can we go back to 101-26 please?

Yes. Representative Gideon. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote, so ordered. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. On 103. No vote.

So ordered. Okay, let's move back to 101-26. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you. Madam Speaker. Apologize for colleagues for having trouble keeping up here. There's a lot of information that I'm trying to make sure I. I vote properly on it. I stand in opposition.

Please proceed.

Again, with respect to my colleagues, cost of living again is the number one issue affecting residents. Making it harder and difficult to work with. Government will raise the price and surely cause some to leave the market.

There is relevant information that vendors and contractors are already required and to open it up to an unlimited reach is I believe, an invasion of privacy. Invasion of privacy issue. And possibly a legal issue as well. We had opposing testimony from the AG's office and the State Procurement Office stating such.

State Employees Retirement System also referenced Act 71 which was passed in 2021 and codified rules to maintain the confidentiality of information related to investment managing partners. Additionally, Department of Human Services note the additional administrative burden with excessive paperwork. Alekipa, nonprofit providing valuable social services, testified this is an unreasonable burden.

And Hale Keepa also stated that they are an accredited organization which as many organizations do likewise fulfill and meet highly scrutinized standards to achieve such accreditations. So with all of those concerns, Madam Speaker, I. I have to vote no.

Moving on to HSCR. 104-26. 105-26. Representative Garcia, with reservations. So ordered. Representative Souza.

Madam speaker, signing Committee report number 104-26.

We're on 105. We'll go back to that after this. 105. Okay, we'll go back to 104.

Please proceed.

Thank you. Madam Speaker. I stood up during that time just to let you know.

Sorry I missed you.

It's okay. Thank you.

House Bill 2051. I rise in support. Please proceed. Comments?

House Bill 2051amends HRS section 11364 to provide that an excess contribution of more than $100 in cash in the aggregate from a single person during an election period to a candidate candidate Committee or Non Candidate Committee shall escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund if not returned to the contributor within 30 days. That's great.

That the excess contribution will escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. I'm all for it. However, what is more concerning and that this Bill does not address is that the money that does escheat to the Fund needs to be properly accounted for. Every time money is distributed to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund, it needs to be itemized.

So, for instance, we do not have an aggregate reporting of, let's say, for example, $25,100 of which we are not able to identify the individual donors. Money that is distributed to the Fund needs to be highly monitored by the Campaign Spending Commission. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Moving on to 105-26. 106-26. Speaker. Representative. Excuse me, Representative Amato.

Thank you, Speaker. At the appropriate time, may we please go back to 104? I'd like to register my reservations.

So ordered. 105-26. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Support with reservations and comments, please.

So ordered. Please proceed.

Madam Speaker, I agree that we should not be actively soliciting campaign contributions during sessions. That is totally inappropriate. I vote with reservations because this Bill would prohibit accepting unsolicited donations from even everyday grassroots supporters during sessions.

And it's a little awkward to say this because I believe we should take money out of the equation as far as our campaign process. But I consider myself a grassroots candidate. I'm not part of any big union or corporate donors.

And so although I agree we should not be actively soliciting campaign contributions, I would like to have some kind of amendment that would allow unsolicited grassroots donations that are not from unions or corporations. And that's. That's my reservations, Madam Speaker.

Moving on to HSCR number 106-26. Representative Belatti.

When? At the appropriate moment, Madam speaker, if we can go back to standcom report number 104-26. Please proceed. Thank you. On standcom report number 10426 I would just like to register. Register with reservations. And note that there is upon approval. Upon approval. Good effective date on this.

And that's one of the reasons why, given light of recent revelations, that maybe. This needs to be revisited. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

Thank you, Speaker. After hearing the words from the representative from Wakakilo, I'd like to also register. Oh, with reservations. On 104-26. Correct.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

Along the same line of thought. No vote on 104.

So ordered. Representative Souza for the second time.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to change my vote from a no vote to a with reservations for 104-26. So ordered.

Thank you, Representative Poepoe.

Thank you, Speaker. For 105-26.

Please proceed.

Reservations so ordered.

Moving on to 106-26. One at the top of page 15. 107-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. No vote.

So ordered. Representative Amato.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Gideon. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

No vote. So ordered. Representative Alcos. Reservations. So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Reservations, so ordered. Comments, please. Speaker. Please proceed. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I apologize. I'm not sure how the, how the pay and scope of this Director compares with other similar government officials. I understand that they do need a pay raise. But to put them on the same basis as some of the other directors of substantial departments.

That's my reservation. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

HSCR 108-26, 109-26, 110-26. On the top of page 16. 111-26, 112-26, 113-26, 114-26. On the top of page 17, 115-26. Representative Garcia. With reservations. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. Reservations. So ordered. 116-26. Representative Shimizu.

Apologize. Madam Speaker. For 115-26 reservations, please.

So ordered. 116-26, 117-26. Representative Garcia. No vote. So ordered. Representative Muraoka. Same request. So ordered. 118-26 on the top of page 18, 119-26, 120-26. Representative Garcia.

119-26 with reservations.

So ordered. 120-26.

120-26. No vote.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka. No vote, Ma'. Am. So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

No vote.

So ordered. 121-26. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. 120-26. Reservations, so ordered.

I think we're on. 120-26.

Representative Garrett. Madam speaker, as your Chair on the Committee on Higher Education, I have a disclosure to make in a ruling on a potential conflict. Please.

So ordered. Is this on 121-26?

Yes. Correct. 121-26 and the next several bills that. Reported from the higher education.

Please state your potential conflict.

My spouse is employed by the university.

No conflict. Your spouse is part of a General class. And this ruling will apply until CNDA.

Thank you very much.

Anyone else for 121-26? Then moving on to 122-26 on the top of page 19, 123-26, 124-26, 125-26, 126-26. On the top of page 20, standing Committee report. 127-26. Representative Garcia, no vote. So ordered. 128. Did I. 128-26, 129-26. Okay, Members, we will be taking a voice vote.

All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. Item number five, 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 La Chica.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Our office has been getting a few requests, but just wanted to share with Members that the time has come again for our office to be taking orders and the management of House jackets. So please watch out for an email coming from my office and staff sometime this week.

Also, all of you should have received a House enamel pin last session. The vendor at the time didn't have the gold backing pin, so now we do. If you haven't received one yet, please come to my office. Also sometime this week. We'll put that in the email announcement. Thank you.

Thank you for coordinating this. Any further announcements? If not. 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.

It.