House Floor

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

[Roll Call] Madam speaker, all 50 Members are present.

Moving on to 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.

Members, are there any introductions? Representative Garcia.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, I'd like to introduce Tracy Hunter. Please stand to be recognized. She is in charge of beyond the Call. And thank you so much for the great work you do for our World War II veterans and her reminding all of us of their hard fought legacy. Tracy Hunter. Welcome to the Hawaii State House.

Moving on to the order of the day, item number five, reports of Standing committees. Representative Kahaloa.

Madam Speaker, I move to adopt Standing Committee reports, numbers 477-26 through 589-26 as listed on pages 1 through 29. 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 477-26. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. 478-26, top of page two. 479-26. Number 480-26. Number 481-26. Number 482.-26, top of page three. Signing Committee report number 483-26, 484-26, 485-26. Representative Garcia.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

No vote.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Same request.

Same ordered. Moving on to 486-26 on the top of page four. 487-26, 488-26, 489-26, 490-26 on the top of page five. 491-26, 492-26, 493-26, 494-26. Representative Pierick.

Sorry. At the appropriate time. Can we go back to 492?

Okay. 492-26.

No vote.

So ordered. 494-26 on the top of page 6. 495-26. Representative Pierick.

Thank you for 494.

Please proceed.

No vote.

So ordered. 495-26, 496-26, 497-26, 498-26. Moving on to top of page 7. 499-26, 500-26, 501-26. Representative Muraoka.

Reservations.

So ordered. 502-26. Top of page 8. 503-26, 504-26, 505-26, 506-26. Top of page 9. 507-26, 508-26, 509-26, 510-26. Top of page 10. 511- 26, 512-26, 513-26, 514-26. Top of page 11. 515-26. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No vote.

Represent. So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

No vote.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Reservations, please.

So ordered. Moving on to 516-26, 517-26, 518-26. Top of page 12. 519-26, 520-26, 521-26, 522-26. Top of page 13. 523-26, 524-26, 525-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. 526-26. Top of page 14. 527-26, 528-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Belatti.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. When we have the opportunity, may we return to Standcom Report number 527-26.

Sure.

Just noting my reservations.

Let's complete this one first. 528-26. Okay. Let's go back then to 527-26.

Just noting reservations on House Bill number 2116. House draft two.

So ordered.

Thank you.

529-26. Representative Garcia.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. 530-26. Top of page 15. 531-26, 532-26, 533-26, 534-26. Representative Muraoka.

Reservations.

So ordered. Standing Committee report. 535-26. Representative Shimizu.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In strong support with comments.

Please proceed.

First of all, I'd like to thank the Public Safety chair and Members of the Committee for passing this bill out. Members, HB2044 is about one clear goal. Safer communities through lower recidivism. Nearly 54% of individuals in Hawaii correctional systems are repeat offenders. That tells us something important. The current system is not producing the outcomes we desire.

At the same time, it costs our state approximately 72,000 per year to incarcerate one individual. When nearly half of those released return to prison. That cycle becomes both costly and ineffective. This Bill strengthens our comprehensive offender reentry system. By expanding high quality educational programs, vocational training, mentorship, counseling, and earn and learn apprenticeship opportunities.

It encourages inmates to obtain high school equivalency certificates, pursue higher education where eligible. And engage in supervised training that prepares them for real employment opportunities upon release. Research consistently shows that individuals who participate in mentorship and workforce programs. Are significantly more likely to find employment. And significantly less likely to reoffend. Employment and stability reduce crime.

Stability strengthens families. And stronger families strengthen our community. This measure is about accountability. It is about preparation. It is about ensuring that when someone has served their sentence. They are equipped to contribute positively to society. Rather than return to the system that is smart public safety. That is responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Members, may I respectfully ask for your support and humbly request your Aye vote. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Moving on to the top of page 16. Standing Committee Report. 536-26, 537-26, 538-26, 539-26. On the top of page 17. 540-26, 541-26. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

With reservations.

So ordered. 542-26, 543-26. Top of page 18. 544-26, 545-26, 546-26, 547-26. On the top of page 19. 548-26, 549-26, 550-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Same request.

So ordered. Moving on to standing Committee report. 551-26. Top of page 20. 552-26, 553-26, 554-26. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

No vote.

So ordered. 555-26. Representative Pierick.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Belatti.

Reservations.

So ordered. Top of page 21. Standing Committee Report. 556-26, 557-26. Representative Garcia.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

With reservations.

So ordered. 558-26, 559-26. Representative Alcos.

When you have time, could we go back to 554-26?

Sure.

Let's finish up. 559-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos. Okay, let's go back to 554.

Sorry speakers.

Yes. Representative Cochran.

559-26.

Yes.

It's a no vote for me.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Souza.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

For 559. Reservations.

So ordered. Okay, let's go back to 554-26. Representative Alcos.

I want to change my vote to reservations.

So ordered. Okay, moving on to page 22 at the top. 560-26, 561-26. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. 562-26, 563-26. Top of page 23. Yes. Representative Cochran.

Thank you. 563-26. With reservations.

So ordered. The top of page 23. Standing Committee report. 564-26, 565-26. Representative Pierick.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

No vote.

WR please.

So ordered. Moving on to 566-26 And 567-26. The top of page 24. Standing Committee report number 568-26, 569-26, 570-26. Representative Cochran.

The 569-26.

Yes.

WR.

So ordered. 570-26, 571-26. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. On the top of page 25. 572-26, 573-26. Representative Garcia.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

No vote.

No vote please.

So ordered. Representative Reyes Oda.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

Thank you Speaker. No vote for me. Standing in opposition with brief comment.

Please proceed.

Thank you. My no vote is contingent that this weakens the original intent of keeping units truly owner occupied and affordable for our local residents by allowing rentals and removing property ownership restrictions, potentially enabling investor ownership and reducing actual occupancy by our working families.

Hence my no vote.

Thank you Representative Alcos.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Same request.

So ordered. Moving on to standing Committee report. 574-26, 575-26. At the top of page 26. 576-26, 577-26 Representative Pierick.

Reservations.

So ordered. 578-26.

Representative Cochran.

Speaker.

Thank you. WR on 578-26.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Reservations.

So ordered. 579-26 Representative Cochran.

Thank you. Speaker WR.

So ordered. Moving on to the top of page 27. Standing Committee report 580-26 Representative Garcia.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

WR 580-26.

So ordered. Representative Amato.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Perruso.

When we have a moment, can we go back to 578-26 please?

Sure. Representative Poepoe.

For.

580-26.

With reservations.

So ordered.

And also when we have a moment, can we go back to 579-26.

Okay, let's first of all go back to 578-26. Representative Perruso.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Poepoe on 578.

Yes, with reservations.

Okay, and then let's go back to so ordered. And then let's go to 579-26.

With reservation.

So ordered. So let's go back now to the top of page 27. 580. Representative Amato.

On 579. Reservations.

So ordered.

Thank you.

At the top of page 27. 580-26, 581-26 Representative Amato.

Reservation.

So ordered. 582-26, 583-26 Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Reservations.

So ordered. At the top of page 28. Signing Committee report number 584. 26. Representative Pierick.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

No vote.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Poepoe.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Cochran.

Thank you. No vote.

So ordered. Moving on to 585-26. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Garcia.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

No vote please.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Same request.

So ordered.

Speaker. Speaker.

Representative Cochran.

Thank you. 586. 585-26 WR. Thank you.

So ordered. Moving on to 586-26,. 587-26. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. On the top of page 29. Last page, you guys. Standing Committee report. 588-26, 589-26. Representative Garcia.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Pierick.

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Muraoka?

No vote.

So ordered. Representative Matsumoto.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Gedeon.

Reservations.

So ordered. Representative Alcos.

Reservations.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, Just a disclosure. Not. Not even a ruling on a potential conflict? It's a disclosure. May I proceed?

Representative Souza.

Please proceed.

My brother is the Vice Chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees. And this is bill is a part of the Office of Hawaiian affairs package. Thank you.

So noted. And Representative Reyes Oda.

With reservations.

So ordered. Representative Shimizu.

Same request.

So ordered. Representative Perruso.

On standcom. 580-26. May I register?

We're on 589. 580. Okay, can you hold on? Are there any comments on 589-26. Okay, going back to 580-26.

Select to register my reservations.

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. Item number six, introduction of resolutions. Mr. Clerk, are there any resolutions for action?

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

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

Thank you. Madam speaker, if the body could join me tonight or this evening at five o' clock at Kawaihau Church. We're having the second annual Hymnac winners recital which is a Hawaii International Music and arts competition. And these are the best of the best in international competition. And we have one of our own performing.

And her name is JC Lim from Punahou School. So congratulations, JC thank you.

Any other announcements? If there are no further announcements, the Chair would like to remind Committee chairs that today is the first lateral filing deadline. This deadline is for bills that that need to move to their final committees. Please file your Committee reports and drafts with the Chief Clerk's office by 9pm this evening 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.