House Floor

Will the house come to order?

Mister Clerk, please call the roll.

[roll call]

Madam speaker, all 51 members are present.

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

Madam Speaker, I move with dispense with the reading of the journal of the 4th and 5th days and approve the same as the read throughout.

Representative Garcia.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

It has been moved and seconded that journal days four and five be approved. Any discussion?

If not we'll be taking a voice vote all those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no the motion is carried journal days four and five are approved item number three messages from the Governor. Mister Clerk are there any messages from the Governor?

Madam speaker, there are none.

Item number four, Senate communications. Mister Clerk, are there any Senate communications?

Yes, madam speaker. We are on 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 bill 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'll be taking a voice vote. All those in favor say aye.

All those opposed say no.

The motion is carried. Said Senate Bill Passes first reading. Members, any introductions? Representative La Chica.

Thank you, Madam speaker. Today, I'm proud to be welcoming the students from the Hawaii Technology Academy or HTA, the largest statewide public charter school in Hawaii serving approximately 1,800 students across six campuses on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai, as well as, on Oahu, representing campuses from Waipahu and Ewa Beach.

On behalf of the Waipahu and Ewa Beach delegation, welcome. HTA is a tuition free k to 12 public charter school known for their innovative blended learning, that combines in person instruction with online and independent study.

And they really focus on the and empowering their students on the four c's, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and character.

All the things that help to make our young people become engaged, informed citizens, and future leaders. So please stand when I call your name to be recognized.

We have Andre, Aliyah, Ronnie, Carson, Case, Kalani, Maxwell, Ray, Eilidh, Mason, Carly, Naya, Alana, August, Zaylee, Cruz, Ikaika, Eliana, Daniela, Selena, Logan, Zachary, Myla, Narai, Mikaela, Alana, Alexander, Piper, Orion, and Lily- Lily and Lorenzo. And they're joined by their teachers, Miss Ashley Trotter and Danny Gartner.

Mahalo for being here today to learn more about state government and how all of this works and welcome to your house of representatives.

Representative Takayama.

Madam speaker, I'd just like to note that one of the parents accompanying the group from HTA is, Heidi Weber, who happens to be a very active member of the Pearl City neighborhood board, and, her daughter Piper will be. Thank you.

Representative Gedeon.

Madam speaker, I would like to introduce a couple of small business owners visiting us from Kailua Kona. Phil and Elaine Fukushima, please stand and be recognized. They're small business owners from Kailua Kona. They own Iron Bottom Spirits. They're here to encourage and wish the best to all legislators during the session.

Welcome to your house representatives.

Representative Quinlan.

Thank you, Madam speaker. In the gallery today, there's a man whose presence we must recognize. Cedric Gates, welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Chun.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On the gallery today, we have members from the nineteenth cohort of the agriculture leadership program joining us today. I'd like to have all the members please rise to be recognized.

Welcome to your House of Representatives and permission to insert their names into the journal.

So ordered.

Thank you.

Representative Kila.

Madam speaker. On behalf of speaker Nakamura, I would like to welcome not just her constituent but my dear friend from high school. If you could stand please. Mason Alfaro who is also a part of the program, works at Lydgate Farms and is also celebrating his 30 birthday today. Mason, welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Reyes Oda.

Thank you, speaker.

I'd like to recognize, parent chaperone at HTA Nicole Noel Zimdon. She also might be familiar with some of you guys because she visits, doors to advocate for HCAN. So Noelle, would you stand and be recognized? Welcome to your House of Representatives.

Representative Hartsfield.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd like to introduce my newest staff member. If she could rise. Her name is Maria Christina Abara. She goes by Chachi.

She will be here part time assisting with my office. She's currently a student at Chaminade University studying her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy Degree. So welcome to your House of Representatives. Look forward to working with you. Thank you.

Representative LaChica.

Madam Speaker, for the second time, I would like to acknowledge to my staff who's accompanying the students today and giving them a wonderful tour of the Capitol Building. Tosa Lobanang. Welcome to your House of Representative.

Members, any further introductions?

We'll turn next to the order of the day. Item number five, reports of standing committees. Representative Kahaloa.

Madam speaker, I moved to adopt standing committee reports numbers 202-26 through 263Dash26 as listed on pages 1 through 18 and that the company House Bills as may be amended has second reading and be referred to their designated committees.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Members, any discussion on these items beginning with House Standing Committee Report number 202-26, 203-26, 204-26, 205-26, 206-6. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

This bill Excuse me. No vote.

So ordered.

This bill will increase taxes. I'm against increasing taxes and voting no.

Representative Matsumoto.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Reservations.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Same request.

So ordered. Standing committee report number 207-26, 208-26. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. No vote.

So ordered. Report number 209-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Opposed with comment.

Please proceed.

With great respect to the transportation chair, I oppose this bill because we just increased the TAT on well, actually, we just instigated a TAT on cruise industry last year, and, I feel like this is maybe too premature to consider this as we are trying to balance our tourism industry and taxing, which I guess our caucus is definitely against, increasing taxes. So no vote, please.

Representative Gedeon?

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda?

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka?

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Kila?

Mahalo, Madam Speaker, in support and brief comment.

Please proceed.

The proposed measure would repeal the current TTA on the cruise ships. Mahalo.

Representative Souza.

With reservations.

So ordered. Standing committee report number 10-210-26, Representative Pierrick.

Thank you. Back on 209.

Oh, going back to report number 209-26, Representative Pierick.

Thank you. No vote. So ordered. Representative Cochran.

Thank you, Speaker. Are we on 210-26?

No. We're still on 209. Oh, okay. Any further discussion on Standing Committee Report number 209? Okay.

[Roll Call]

Thank you, Madam Chair. Can we go back to 209-26, please?

Yes. Let's finish up 210 first. Any further discussion on Standing Committee Report 210-26? Okay. Then we'll go back to 209, Representative Shimizu.

I stand corrected and apologize to the Transportation Chair and my colleagues for misunderstanding this.

Representative Shimizu still in opposition?

I will change my vote to I support.

Okay. So ordered. Any further discussion on Standing Committee Report number 209-26? Seeing none, we'll turn to the top of page four. Standing Committee Report 211-26, 212-26, 213-26.

[Roll Call]

Turning next to Standing Committee Report number 215-26, Representative Garcia.

[Roll Call]

Thank you, Madam Chair. Opposition with brief comment.

Please proceed.

Again, with great respect to my transportation chair, I am opposed to this because I don't think this clean vehicles needs any more promotion. Free market determines it and you see a lot of Teslas already on the road. There's no reason to continually promote this. So, that's my opposition. Thank you.

Representative Muraoka.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

Thank you, chair. I just wanna put on record, I know during committee, I was with reservations, but I've recently reread the bill and I'm now in support. Thank you. Thank you.

Standing committee report 217-26, 218-26, to Representative Pierick.

No vote on 218.

So ordered. Standing committee report 219-26, 220-26, Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Same with Coise.

So ordered. Representative Pierrick.

Reservations.

So ordered. Standing committee report number 221-26, Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Opposition, with a brief comment.

Please proceed.

I actually signed on to this bill because I thought it was great. I feel like the changes that were made to this bill are of concern, because we want to make sure that people who are voting are our citizens. They're legitimate. Of course, we want to open it up and encourage as many people to vote as possible, but I think it's very, very important.

And as you even listen to people who testify on the elections commission, they are concerned about making sure that the right to vote is honored and respected for citizens only. And I just feel like some of this language might weaken that safeguard.

Thank you.

Representative Morikawa.

In opposition, and can I adopt the comments of my colleague as my own?

[Roll Call]

Thank you. And strong support, with brief comments. At a time when we are seeing the federal administration attacking state voting election systems, this bill demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that our people can vote, that registration is simple. We know across states that there are different ways.

And here in Hawaii, we value and appreciate the opportunities to allow all of our residents to make it easy and simple for them to register to vote. Madam Speaker, as we look at voting registration systems across the nation, we see that things like signature verifications are being challenged. When we see populations of people who now no longer know how to do cursive. Right? All of these impediments that are being placed in front of voters to register to vote are not real problems.

So the bills that we are passing to improve voter registration, to open it up, recognize that we have safe systems. And any suggestions that we don't smack of conspiracy, and this measure is one that will ensure that we can have a strong voting system in this state. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Representative Garcia. In opposition. Please proceed.

We already have automatic voter registration here in Hawaii, but the only difference that this bill makes is it changes it from an opt-in to an opt-out. I believe that it should remain an opt-in process. When somebody gets a driver's license or an ID, a voter application is attached to that, and they can choose not to do so if they want, but it should be their choice. This bill would automatically register them unless they say, I don't want to vote.

And I fear that this would just increase a lot more mail-in ballots out there for those who may not want to be voting or want to engage in the process. We should encourage voting. And we have tried to do that through previous legislation in 2019 by going to all mail voting. And well, Hawaii still has one of the lowest turnouts nationwide. So it's not a matter of not voting, it's a matter of choice. And people should have the choice to opt in when they do their driver's license or get their ID. So for those reasons, a no vote.

Representative Marten.

Thank you very much. In support, I just wanted to address the comment earlier that it's not restricted to citizens. The amendments made were just to be consistent with federal law that allows attestation of citizenship. And so all that was done is this bill was brought into compliance with federal law.

Representative Kapela. Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support, please proceed. I just want to note that you still have a choice whether or not you want to vote. Just because you have access and you will be registered to vote, you will once again have a choice whether or not you'll use that access.

This brings the opportunity for people to be able to use their voice, whether they want to vote or, if they choose not to vote, they can still make that choice for themselves. But this bill doesn't take away that choice for them.

In support, Madam Speaker, with a brief comment. I do believe that people should have a choice to opt out instead of opt in. And I would like permission to insert written comments into the journal.

Top of page seven. Standing committee report 222-26, standing committee report 223-26, 224-26, 225-26, 226-26. Representative Garcia. Oh, standing committee report number 227-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Standing committee report 228-26. Oh, Representative Cochran on 227.

Sorry, Chair. No, I mean, Speaker. No, I stood up for the 226-26.

Okay, we can go back. Standing committee report 226-26. Representative Cochran.

Okay. Thank you. I stand in strong support with a brief comment, please. Please proceed. Thank you so much.

So first off, I just want to mahalo the representative from House District 26 and her entire public safety committee for pushing this bill forward. I just wanted this body to realize and be aware that Hawaii is among the states with the highest per capita rates of missing persons, including both residents and visitors, and hence the need for this bill to move forward.

Currently, our search and rescue efforts are very fragmented, and the need for improvements with interagency communication and mission critical coordination with urban, maritime, and wilderness search and rescue, along with missing persons investigations, are critical. Hawaii's annual visitor economy of approximately $20,000,000,000 is generated, and $2,400,000,000 in state tax revenue every year depends on maintaining our great reputation as a very safe place to visit. One of the testifiers at a committee mentioned that we are the number one state chosen to come and travel to.

And, unfortunately, we are a very dangerous outlier in the sense that we do not have an inland search and rescue operation. We give $43,000,000 to ocean safety, and nothing to state inland search and rescue coordination. So with that being said, I just wanted to highlight the dire need for us to push this bill forward, because it really will address literally life and death situations here. Mahalo.

Representative Alcos.

Speak when you get time, 2726.

Okay. We'll go to that one next. Any further discussion on Standing Committee Report 226-26? Okay. Next, we're on Standing Committee Report 227-26.

Representative Alcos. Reservations. So ordered. Standing Committee Report 228-26. 229-26.

[Roll Call]

So ordered. Report number 230-26, 231-26, 232-26, 233-26.

Representative Garcia. With reservations. So ordered. Standing Committee Report 234-26. 235-26. Representative Cochran.

Thank you, speaker. I was able to vote on this on a previous committee, and I write with reservations. Because the very recent incident had occurred on Maui with a man who was wrongfully convicted. I think he spent twenty years out of his thirty year sentence and came out and just passed in December of this year.

He died before even getting his compensation, and so this is, you know, it's like a failure of the system in itself, so definitely we need to, visit this this bill, and I think, one of the terms that I had problems with during committee discussion was grounds consistent with innocence, versus, actually innocent.

So for me, that's problematic, and my reasons for my, WR at this time. Thank you.

Representative Garcia.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Pierrick.

235 reservations.

So ordered. Standing committee report 236-26, Representative Iwamoto.

Madam Speaker, I rise pursuant to House Rule 62.5. I'd like to request to be recused from voting on this bill, related to consumer protections, because it poses a direct personal financial interest. May I elaborate?

Please proceed.

Thank you. So I actually hold shares in a mutual fund that buys and sells Bitcoin. And I didn't realize that this bill would impact the value of those shares potentially, because Bitcoin would be affected by this. So for that reason, I'm requesting to be recused on this vote and all votes on this bill moving forward.

Representative Iwamoto, pursuant to House Rule 62.5, a conflict of interest does not arise where the measure applies to a broader class. In this situation, you are a member of a broad class of mutual fund shareholders, so a conflict of interest does not exist, and therefore, pursuant to Rule 54.4, which states that no member shall refrain from voting unless excused pursuant to Rule 62.6, you will not be recused from this vote.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Pursuant to Rule 62.6, I would like to voice my appeal. As a member of this body, I'd like to appeal the ruling of the Speaker.

So just to clarify, you're requesting an appeal of the Chair's ruling that you do not have a conflict of interest.

Right. I feel I do have a conflict of interest, and I'd like to register my appeal.

Members, there has been an appeal of the ruling of the Chair, to rule that there is no conflict of interest. Is there any discussion? Representative Iwamoto.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So when I served on the Board of Education for five years, I did own shares in a student transportation company. And I recused myself from voting on any item or even discussing. And I understand that here we're allowed to discuss, and I am grateful that there is an opportunity for me to seek a recusal.

I find this to be very similar because I have substantial holdings in this mutual fund that solely buys and sells Bitcoin, and would be impacted by this bill.

I feel, given the public scrutiny around these issues of self dealing, perhaps, as a representative. And also, just to make it clear, when I came into this body, before voting on any issues, I did have an asset that I donated to a nonprofit because I didn't want to have a conflict, because that asset would have made me a landlord who takes

Representative Iwamoto, if you can restrain your comments to this particular measure.

Yeah. And I'm actually, sure, okay, yes. So that is my standard, for me personally, that I'd like to sustain in terms of when I recuse myself or when I'm allowed to be recused from voting on a bill.

Members, any further discussion?

Representative Iwamoto. I'd like to request a roll call vote.

Recess.

Will the house come to order? Members, a roll call vote has been requested. All those in favor of a roll call vote, please signify by raising your hands, and please keep your hands up. Mister Clerk, is there a sufficient number of hand votes?

Yes, Madam speaker. There is a sufficient number of hand votes for the roll call.

Members, we are going to take a roll call vote. Vote aye if you are in favor of the chair's ruling. Vote no if you are opposed to the chair's ruling. Mister Clerk.

Representative Perrick.

Can I ask a question?

Okay.

So are we voting on her status Kim's status as conflict of interest or the status of being recused?

So Representative Iwamoto has requested to be recused from the vote on the basis that she believes she has a conflict of interest. The chair has ruled under the house rules, there is no conflict of interest when there is, and the law or bill before us applies to a broader class. So because Representative Iwamoto is a member of a broader class, she does not have a conflict of interest and therefore, under our rules, would be required to cast a vote.

So that's the chair's ruling that there is no conflict of interest pursuant to our rules because she's a member of a broader class, and that's what we're voting on. Okay?

So, again, members vote aye if you are in favor of the chair's ruling. Vote no if you are opposed to the chair's ruling. Mister Clerk, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

No explanation. Just cast your vote, please.

[Roll Call]

Members, the appeal has been defeated. We are back to standing committee report number 236-26. Any further discussion? Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Top of page 11, Standing Committee Report 237-26. Representative Kong.

No vote.

So ordered. 238-26. 239-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Report number 240-26. Representative Souza.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda. So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Reservations.

So ordered. Standing Committee Report 241-26, Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Opposed with a brief comment, please.

Please proceed.

Madam chair, with all due respect to my judiciary chair, Jordan Lerma, he is associated with the I forget the organization, but it was a steward of the Nene Goose, and he testified that the presence of golf courses actually are positive, that there are more births, Nene births on golf courses. And he was a proponent of golf courses being good stewards of the land. So that that is my reason for opposition. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Moving next to standing committee report 242-26.

[Roll Call]

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Opposed with a brief comment.

Please proceed.

Again, as I have been mentioning, the cost of living is the number one issue, and I just feel that this is going in the wrong direction. So that that's the reason for my opposition. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

[Roll Call]

[Roll Call]

So ordered. Standing committee report 244-26. [Roll Call]

[Roll Call]

So ordered. 245-26. [Roll Call]

[Roll Call] Report number 246-26. [Roll Call]

So ordered. 247-26. 248-26. [Roll Call]

[Roll Call]

Standing committee report number 250-26.

[Roll Call] Representative Garrett. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Support, brief comment, please. Please proceed.

Thank you, madam speaker. This bill is sorry. It's about responding to reality, not creating it. The national landscape of college athletics has fundamentally changed through federal court rulings and conference restructuring. Name, image, likeness, also known as NIL, is no is no longer operate the operating model for division one programs across the country theoretical.

It is not part of the landscape. Yesterday, your higher education committee held a hearing on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, your higher education committee held a hearing on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and heard directly from student athletes about what this bill means for them about the cost of living, retention, and their desire to stay here and represent Hawaii. If we choose not to act, we are not preserving the status quo. We're intentionally choosing to fall behind. Madam speaker, this bill is not about chasing championships with public dollars.

It's about giving our student athletes a fair opportunity to compete, to stay here, and to represent this state with pride.

Athletics is one of the most visible front doors to our university and to Hawaii itself. Doing nothing has consequences. This bill provides structure and oversight so we can move forward responsibly and thoughtfully. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. Thank you.

Representative Alcos.

Speaker, I would like to adopt the words of our representative from Manoa. Our support in support. Thank you.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Same request, ma'am.

So ordered.

In strong support.

Representative Souza.

In support. I'd like to adopt the words of the higher education chair. Thank you.

Standing Committee Report 251-26, top of page fifteen, 252-26, 253-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations. So ordered. Representative Pierrick. No vote. So ordered. Report number 254-26, 255-26, Representative Pierrick. No vote.

So ordered. Report number 256-26, 257-26, 258-26, 259-26. Representative Garcia. Opposition. Please proceed.

Madam Speaker, there is no question that Hawaii has the highest energy cost per consumer in the nation. Our families feel this every month when they open their bills, and for many, it has become a constant source of financial stress. While this bill is well intentioned, and I admit that, it does not address the root causes of why energy costs are so high in the first place.

Instead, it attempts to treat the symptoms while the state continues to pursue policies that further drive up the cost of energy.

For years we have pushed toward a 100% renewable energy goal without sufficient consideration for affordability, reliability, or real world impacts on working families. As a result, the state has created an environment where energy costs continue to rise. And now we're asking the taxpayers to subsidize the consequences of our bad policy. I do not doubt that families do need assistance and support. Many do.

But before expanding new programs, we must acknowledge that our own policies help create this problem. And we must be willing to fix what is driving up costs instead of layering subsidies on top of bad decisions. I'm also concerned that this bill does not clearly define income eligibility limits, leaving important questions unanswered about who qualifies and how taxpayer dollars will be spent.

Until we are serious about addressing the root causes of Hawaii's high energy costs and ensuring accountability and clarity in how public funds are used, I cannot support this measure. For these reasons, a no vote to subsidizing a problem that we created.

Representative Muraoka.

No vote. And can I adopt the previous speaker's comments as my own?

So ordered. Representative Lowen.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, in support. Energy costs for renewable energy is cheaper than the cost for fossil fuel. This is easily verifiable. A lot of the cost, you know, that we do have issues with the cost of electricity in the state.

We talk about it all the time in the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection. This bill would help to address needs of very low income individuals, individuals who are medically dependent on electricity, who could have, could be potentially life threatening if they lost power, and also potentially makes up for federal funding cuts to the state, to the federal LIHEAP program. Yeah. That's all. Thanks, and support.

[Roll Call]

Okay. Top of page 17, report number 260-26, 261-26, Representative Garcia. 260-26. Okay. Please proceed. [Roll Call]

Rise in opposition with a brief comment, please.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe, and then we all have an opinion, and I forgive me if we differ in our opinions. It's nothing personal. But I believe liquid natural, liquid liquefied natural gas is a viable option. And HECO is working to utilize this resource in their retrofitting of their power plant out at Wai'au.

So the market and our chief, actually sole source electric company, is going in that direction. And I think it's important for us to support them and help them reduce the cost of electricity that we know is the highest in the nation. So that's my comment. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

[Roll Call]

In opposition. And I'd like to adopt the words from the representative of Moanalua as my own.

[Roll Call]

Sorry. I was on the wrong bill. A yes vote.

Yes. On 260-26. Yes. Okay. Thank you.

Representative Lowen.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support. Please proceed. This bill will ensure, so first of all, in case anyone didn't read the bill, we did amend it so it's no longer a ban on LNG. It was amended to ensure that any consideration of importing natural gas into the state is conducted in a manner that protects ratepayers, advances the state's clean energy goals, and safeguards Hawaii's long-term economic and environmental interests.

There have been a lot of claims made about how using LNG as a fuel source will reduce costs and emissions, but no concrete evidence has been provided to assure us that these claims are valid.

This bill will protect ratepayers by making sure that should LNG imports or costs for infrastructure be approved, that all the claims that have been made will be true and that ratepayers will not be stuck with the cost of stranded assets, price increases due to the volatility of the market for fossil fuels, or missed opportunities for deeper savings that could be realized with the development of local, non-imported, cleaner energy resources.

And that the state will not backslide on our clean energy and climate goals. It also puts safeguards in place to protect neighbor island residents from bearing any increased costs due to the use of LNG on Oahu. So if you're concerned about electricity rates in the state, if you support LNG, you should support this bill because it ensures that all the things that you've been led to believe about the benefits of bringing LNG to the state actually come to bear.

Representative Perruso.

In support. And I'd just like to request that the comments of the previous speaker be entered into the journal as if they were my own.

So ordered. Representative Hussey.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In support. Thank you for further comments.

I appreciate the remarks from the representative from Moanalua and the adopted remarks from Kapolei. But I do want to respond to them directly by quoting from some of the testimony that was presented at the hearing recently on this measure. And the quote is from Doctor Benton Kealii Pang, who many of us know as a noted ethnobotanist.

He writes that methane, marketed as natural gas or LNG, is a super pollutant with a global warming potential over 80 times that of carbon dioxide in the near term. Its full life cycle climate impact can be worse than coal.

Dramatically reducing methane emissions this decade is not just one option among many. It is a critical time sensitive action to slow feedback loops and buyers be seized the time we desperately need to, to adopt. To embrace it as a bridge, it's to light a fuse on a bridge we are still crossing. Excellent comments made at the hearing. There's another one that I'd like to read into the journal because I do think it is important that we take note of it.

And it's comments from the Imua Alliance. They note that in 2024, the state announced an agreement between Governor Josh Green's administration and JERA Corporation Incorporated of Japan involving approximately $2,000,000,000 in proposed grid upgrades and energy investments, including LNG-related infrastructure components. Imua Alliance notes that this agreement was not subjected to legislative approval, public hearings, or a formal public comment process. And I also wanted to note the comments from GridLab, which I understand is a research corporation in California.

They note that taking the same amount of money that we would be spending on LNG infrastructure, or I should say methane infrastructure, would be much better spent on simply building solar and wind, which we know will have an immediate climate impact, and will also make life cheaper for all of our residents here in Hawaii.

Thank you very much.

Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, madam chair. I I excuse me. Madam speaker, I stand corrected. I would like to change my vote from a no to a reservation. And I wanna thank the chair for clarifying that information.

And that's what I love about the opportunity to have debate and discuss and to learn. Because I'm always wanting to learn what is the truth, and I don't always get it right. I do my best to be diligent and review the information, but I know I don't catch it all. So I appreciate the clarification, the correction as it may be. And based on the information that I'm hearing, I am willing to change my vote from opposition to yes with reservations.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

So ordered. Representative Garcia.

In opposition. I just want to reiterate that the words I adopted were in opposition to the bill. Thank you.

So ordered. K. Members, standing committee report number 261Dash26. Oh, representative Cochran. 260?

The 260-26, WR for me.

So ordered. Any further discussion on standing committee report 260-26? Okay. Seeing none, standing committee report number 261-26, 262-26, 263-26. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. In opposition?

Please proceed.

Okay. So gambling's a bad idea. It preys on the vulnerable, and it disproportionately harms low income families and communities that see increases in crime and domestic instability. Our state should protect people, not profit from their losses.

I have a client who recently went to Vegas to gamble, and guess what? They won nothing, so they spent money and didn't get anything back. It says in Proverbs 20:5, steady diligence leads to profit, but haste leads to poverty. I hope our state doesn't go toward the poverty level. I hope we help to improve the economy, and legalizing gambling won't do that.

[Roll Call]

I am so pleased to hear all of the no votes. I believe that this is a bad idea. We had testimony from the attorney general strongly opposing this bill. Strong opposition from the prosecuting attorney. Strong opposition from the HPD.

Comments from the Department of Health noting that it is scientifically proven that gambling addiction is an issue. We had opposition from the DCCA, excuse me, the Office of Consumer Protection, opposition from the Nation of Hawaii. So I am emotional at this point, just hearing my colleagues rise in opposition to this bill. I believe it's a bad idea for us to sell out our people to make money off of their losses.

And I know that income is always a concern, but we should never put our people in that position.

We are here to protect them from vices like this and make wise decisions. So, I appreciate the support in opposition and thank you for the opportunity to share.

[Roll Call]

[Roll Call]

Members, if there's no further discussion on these items, we will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor, say aye. 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? Okay. Seeing no announcements, for the motion to adjourn.

Oh, Representative Kapela.

I would like to announce that tomorrow is our very first Hawaiian Day here at the Capitol, celebrating Native Hawaiians and also brought forward by the incredible members of the Native Hawaiian Caucus. We will have tabling sponsored in part by OHA, on the fourth floor from ten to two. Bishop Museum will also be here. We will also have Native Hawaiian charter students here visiting the Capitol.

And then thank you so much to CNHA, and the representative from Nanakuli for also putting together a concert of Nele at the Capitol happening just after floor, I believe at one.

So please join us. Please welcome the students to your offices. They would love the opportunity to meet with you and get to know some of the things you're working on. Additionally, I also want to note that we have picked a date for Art at the Capitol. So Art at the Capitol this year will be on April 17.

So keep your offices open. It's a wonderful opportunity not only to showcase the art in your offices, but to really celebrate art and creativity here in the Capitol. So my office will be reaching out about those, anyone who wants to participate in Art at the Capitol as well. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Any further announcements? Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I move that this house stand adjourned until 12:00 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 12:00 noon tomorrow.