House Floor

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

[Roll Call] Madam Speaker, 46 Members are present. Four are not present.

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? Madam speaker, there are none. Item number four. Senate Communications. Mr. Clerk, are there any Senate communications? Madam speaker, there are none. Let's move to introductions. Members, are there any introductions? Representative Kitagawa.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm happy to introduce students from Waialahole Elementary School who are visiting the capital today. Last year, Waiahola Elementary's sixth graders started research into the Ama Ama fishing. And this year's sixth grader class is following up on that work by championing and testifying on a Bill to protect the native Amaama from overfishing.

Mahalo to the Water and Land chair and Vice Chair for all their help in coordinating the students visit and processing testimony. And mahalo also to the Water and Land Committee for passing their bill this Morning. I'd now like to introduce the students and kumu who are here when your name is called. Can you please stand?

Kupaa, Cabral, Emery, Kaler, Kien, Enriquez, Kalani, Kaahu, Kayson, Mackenzie, Kalavaia, Purdy, hi'. I, Lani, Richardson, Kaira, Ciliado, Kumu, Crystal M. Palmato, Kumu, Kanaloa Bishop and Mehana Bishop. I'd also like to introduce my staff, Wendy, Kristen and Rich. Thank you all for being here today and welcome to your House of Representatives,

Representative Lowen.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the gallery today we have environmental policy class from Hawaii Pacific University with their professor, Dr. Regina Ostergaard. Clem would you please stand? Everybody? May all their names be entered into the journal. Welcome to your House of Representatives.

So ordered. Representative Iwamoto. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. I'd like to introduce Laura Bergbarg and Brian Lawton and Sean, two homeschool advocates and an intern from my office. Thank you for being here.

Okay, let's move on to the order of the day. Representative Kahalua.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee reports numbers 272-26 through 340-26 as listed on pages 1 through 18, and that the accompanying House bills, as may be amended, pass second reading and or be referred to their designated committees.

Representative Morikawa.

Madam Speaker, I second the motion.

Any discussion on these items beginning with HSCR number 272-26 on the top of page.

Madam Speaker.

Representative Amato.

With reservations.

So ordered. Moving on to the top of page 2. HSCR number 273-26, 274-26. Representative Matsumoto.

Speaker, Ruling on a potential conflict.

Please proceed.

My husband is a firefighter, and this is a collective bargaining agreement for firefighters.

No conflict. And this will apply to the CDA.

Thank you.

Moving on to 275-26, 276-26 on the top of page three. Signing Committee report number 277-26, 278-26, 279-26, 280-26 on the top of page four. 281-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

With reservations.

So ordered. 282-26.

Speaker.

Yes, I'm sorry. Representative Amato.

For 281-26 and no vote, please.

So ordered. Thank you. 282-26, 283-26, 284-26 on the top of page five. HSCR number 285-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No vote, please.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. No vote.

So ordered. HSCR number 286-26, 287-26, 288-26 on the top of page six. 289-26, 290-26. And a speaker. Representative Perruso.

If it's possible to go back to 289-26.

Go ahead.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Amato.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Takayama.

Reservations.

So ordered. Stein Committee report number 290-26, 291-26, 292-26, 293-26, 294-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Amato.

Reservation.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

No vote.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Moraoka.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

In opposition.

So ordered. Please proceed.

Thank you. This measure increases taxes in our state. Most of our constituents don't want an increase in taxes. Encourage my colleagues to vote no on an increase in taxes.

295-20. Excuse me, Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. No vote.

So ordered.

Madam Speaker.

Representative Souza.

Reservations.

So ordered. Thank you. Moving on to 295-26, 296-26. The top of page 8. 297-26, 298-26, 299-26, 300-26. The top of page 9. HSCR number 301-26, 302-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Madam Speaker. Representative Amato.

Thank you. With reservations.

So ordered. Moving on to 303-26. Representative Garrett.

Madam speaker. Support with a brief comment, please.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This bill is about modernizing the governance of the University of Hawaii and ensuring we have strong, capable leaders Navigating an increasingly uncertain time in higher education across the country. Universities face enrollment pressures, shifting federal policy, workforce demands, financial constraints and rapid technological change.

Here at home, UH is more than an educational institution. It's a major economic engine, a workforce pipeline and a research driver that supports nearly every sector of our economy. The strength of its Board of Regents matters, Madam Speaker. This measure strengthens that governance structure in several ways.

It requires governance training within 12 months of confirmation and every two years thereafter, ensuring regents understand fiduciary duties, accreditation, budgeting and public accountability laws. It directs the Candidate Advisory Council to strive for a thoughtful balance of expertise, including higher education, governance, finance and large scale leadership.

So the board reflects the skills needed to oversee a complex public institution. It also provides a narrow exemption allowing strategic planning retreats without full sunshine requirements, provided no decisions are made, no deliberations occur, materials are public, and attendance is noticed. This supports long range planning, not closed door decision making.

With respect to financial disclosures, let me be clear. This Bill does not eliminate filing, does not weaken the authority of the Hawai' I State Ethics Commission, and does not reduce conflict of interest enforcement. Regents would still file full disclosures fully subject to review and enforcement.

The only question before us is whether public posting is necessary for an unpaid fiduciary governance board.

At its core, this bill is about ensuring that the University of Hawaii, one of the most important institutions in our state, is governed by a board that is well trained, thoroughly thoughtfully composed, and positioned to attract the strongest possible leaders willing to serve. Madam speaker, strong institutions require strong governance.

This measure moves us in that direction while preserving accountability. For those reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this measure. Thank you.

Moving on to 304-26. On the top of page 10. HSCR number 305-26, 306-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. 307-26, 308-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Matsumuro.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

No vote, please.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

I want to change mine to no vote. And when we have time, can we. Go back to 307?

Yes. So changing your 308 to no vote.

No vote.

And then on. Let's finish this one up again. Representative Muraoka.

No vote.

So ordered. Okay, Moving on to 307-26.

So ordered. Thank you. Moving on to the top of page 11. 309-26, 310-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

Reservations.

So ordered. 311-26, 312-26 on the top of page 12. HSCR number 313-26. Representative Pierick.

Thank you. Back on 312.

Yes.

No vote, please.

So ordered. On 312-26. On 313-26, 314-26, 315-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. 316. Representative Pierick.

315. No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. No vote. With a brief comment, please.

Please proceed.

This is tasking Department of Education to expand their programming. And I believe they're already falling short on what their basic mandate is. And although this is an important topic, and with all due respect to the introducer, I believe that this. This bill is not necessary. Thank you.

Representative Alcos.

With a reservation.

So ordered. Moving on to HSCR number 316-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. On the top of page 13. HSCR number 317-26, 318-26, 319- 26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. 320-26. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. 319-26. Please.

Please go ahead.

Opposition with a brief comment.

Please proceed.

With all due respect to the introducer, I can understand the heart behind this bill. I just believe that with our funding shortfalls, that those who can afford to pay should pay. If I was a parent and I had children in school, I would pay.

Because I feel that our taxes could be used for those who are in more need than my children getting a free lunch. Thank you.

Moving on to HSCR number 320-26. On the top of page 14. 321-26, 322-26, 323-26, 324-26. On the top of page 15, HSCR number 325-26, 326-26, 327-26, 328-26. On the top of Page 16, HSCR number 329-26, 330-26, 331-26, 332- 26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. On the top of page 17. HSCR number 333-26, 324-26. Sorry, that was. 334-26, 335-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. Moving on to 336-26. On the top of page 18. Standing Committee report number 337-26, 338-26, 339-26. Representative Garcia.

So ordered.

No vote.

Madam Speaker.

Representative Amato.

Thank you. Reservation.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

No vote. Thank you.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

No vote.

So ordered. Moving on to standing Committee Report 340-26. Representative Tam.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Amato.

No vote.

So ordered. Okay, Members, we will be taking a voice vote. All those in favor, say Aye.

All those opposed say no. The motion is carried. Moving on to item number six. Introduction of resolutions. Mr. Clerk, are there any resolutions for action?

Yes, Madam speaker. House Resolution number 13 relating to the Committee assignments of the House of Representatives of the 33rd Legislature. This resolution is offered by you, Madam Speaker.

Representative Kahaloa.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt House Resolution number 13.

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 House Resolution number 13 is adopted. Mr. Clerk, are there any other resolutions for action?

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

So ordered item number seven.

Announcements, Members, are there any announcements? Representative La Chica, Excuse me.

Thank you. Madam speaker, Members and legislative staff, we're very excited to announce that the order links for House jackets are now live. This year we will have fleece line mesh and also for the first time we're offering dry fit polos for all of you that like to do site visits and things.

And so that went out this morning. Contact my office if you have any questions. And then also orders are done by office so that to help us track orders and fulfill orders, if you can coordinate, that would help us a lot. And then finally, House pins are also ready for pick up in my office.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Representative Tarnas.

Thank you. Madame speaker, just a note to Members. The Judicial, your Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee is having an information briefing today at 2pm in room 325.

The purpose of the information briefing is to learn from experts about the current regulatory framework and industry trends in Hawaii for medical, cannabis and hemp, as well as best practices for managing these industries that protect public safety and public health, support a viable and well regulated industry that successfully attracts consumers and suppliers away from the illegal and unregulated market.

And the briefing will also address the need for a robust public health campaign to prevent cannabis use by those under 21 and prevent impaired drivers from operating a vehicle while under the influence of cannabis. I would invite Members to join me today at this briefing. It'll also be saved as an archived video for your future viewing pleasure.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Any further announcements? Representative Tam.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today is Queer Day at the Capitol, hosted by the LGBTQ Commission for the State of Hawaii.

They're on the fourth floor, so I invite everyone to go up there and to to learn about the different organizations that are out there and the resources that are available for this community and to learn more about the community. Thank you.

Further announcements then for the motion to adjourn. 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.