Senate Floor

Will the Senate please come to order? Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

[Roll Call] President. 23 present. Two excused.

Thank you. The Chair has read the journal of the preceding day and approves the same. Are there any introductions this morning, Senator Rhodes?

Thank you, Mr. President. I'm proud to recognize my little sister. I have two sisters and they're both younger than me. But this is the younger of the Jill Kelly and her husband Rob, all the way from Ellettsville, Indiana, which is about 4,500 miles from here.

If you could stand and be recognized, You did a great job in embarrassing her, Senator Keohokalole.

Thank you, Mr. President. In the gallery today as well are students from Koolau Baptist Academy in Kaneohe. I'd like to introduce them, so when I call your name, please stand, starting with the grownups. Principal, Mr. Brian Velardes. And teachers, Mrs. Amanda Velardes, Mr. Ben Sandoval, and chaperone, Mrs. Charlene Ahu.

Freshman Maya Ahupaole, Madison Grady, Sarah Hernandez, Isaac Joseph Eva, Marisol Shayla Raposa, Sage Tibian, Sophia White. Sophomore Chevelle, Arthur Autumn, Balocan, Zach Meyer, Josh Satyama. Juniors Aiden Ahupaole, Jacob Kochi and Alex Wood. And seniors Blaise Amistad, Julia Flores, Tahika Mokele, Sharsch, Noelani Mirasol, Ava Quinata, Shane Ritterschold and Luis Rodriguez. Welcome to the Senate.

Thank you. Further introductions, Senator McKelvey.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to just also introduce my Committee Clerk who did today's invocation. Kawila Freitas Pratt, if you could please stand, joined by my office manager, Wendy Wilson and Beth Mackenzie. Nay Calama, Will you please stand? And welcome to the State Senate. Thank you.

Further introductions. Senator Lee. They are all here, behind you, where you cannot see.

Thank you, Mr. President.

For the Members in the gallery and those watching online, it may not be obvious common knowledge, but the Members of the state Legislature here in Hawaii are part of national organizations that allow us to collaborate with fellow colleagues across states from coast to coast, to trade best practices, talk about policy and Figure out what might be applicable here in Hawaii to improve the things that we're all working on together.

We have folks from two of those organizations here in the gallery with us today. I'd like to begin with the Council of State Governments. I don't know where you guys. zero, there you are. You can please stand. We have two of our partners. Edgar Ruiz, who has led the Council of State Governments west as Director since 2011.

In this role, he's led the organization's flagship programs and services, supporting peer to peer collaboration and professional development for legislators and legislative staff throughout the west.

With more than 25 years of experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, including previous service as Deputy Director and leadership of the U S Mexico initiatives, we're grateful for his continued partnership and the strong regional connections that he's helped to create. Let's welcome him to the State Senate.

Joining Edgar is Will Kesey who serves as the Professional Development Manager for CSG west where he helps design and lead programs that support elected officials and non partisan legislative staff throughout the region. His work includes guiding professional development initiatives, supporting leadership trainings and contributing to major convenings across the CSG network.

Will also serves as the liaison to the legislatures in Colorado in addition to Hawaii and works closely with both states to support collaboration and strengthen professional growth opportunities.

Welcome as well, In addition to the Council of State Governments, we're also really fortunate to be a part of the National Conference of State Legislatures and we're really fortunate today to have. There you are. Please stand. A longtime friend who's here on their behalf.

Raised in Honolulu, Nguyen Vong has begun her public service journey actually here at the Hawaii State Legislature, first as an intern and later as a session staffer. After nearly a decade in state and local government, she gained an appreciation for the dedication of public servants and and the meaningful work that they do for our communities.

Since 2022, she has been based in Washington D.C. serving as Associate Director of Public Affairs. After relocating from Hawaii for that role, we are proud to introduce her as our new NCSL liaison to the Hawaii State Legislature and are especially pleased to welcome her back home. Welcome to the Senate. Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Thank you. Any further introductions, if not Madam Clerk?

Governor's message number 726 transmits a nomination to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council.

Governor's message number 726 is referred to the Committee on Labor and technology on page two.

House communication number three transmits House Bill 2240, House draft one, which passed third reading in the House for first reading and referral to Committee.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that said House Bill 2240, HD1, pass first reading by title and be referred to Committee.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried.

Senate Concurrent resolution numbers 23 to 26 and Senate resolution numbers 20 to 23 for referral to Committee.

So ordered.

Standing Committee report number 2707 for adoption.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of standing Committee report number 2707.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried.

Standing Committee report numbers 2708 for one day notice and Standing Committee report numbers 2709 to 2714 for 48 hour notice.

So ordered.

Third reading.

If there are no objections from the Members, we will be taking third reading on consent.

Beginning on page four. Standing Committee report number 2694. Third reading of Senate Bill 99, Senate draft one relating to government.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

24 Ayes.

Thank you. SB 99. SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 2695. Third reading of Senate Bill 2110, Senate draft one relating to agriculture.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

24 Ayes.

Thank you. SB2110 SD1 passes third reading.

On page five. Standing Committee report number 2696. Third reading of Senate Bill 2115, Senate draft one relating to collective bargaining.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator Moriwake. Any no votes?

24 Ayes.

Thank you. SB 2115. SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 2697. Third reading of Senate Bill 2259, Senate draft one relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

24 Ayes.

Thank you. SB2382, SD1 passes third reading, 2259. Excuse me. SB2259, SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee report number 2698. Third reading of Senate Bill 2382, Senate draft one relating to law enforcement.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

24 Ayes.

Now SB2382, SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report Number 2699. Third reading of Senate Bill 2442. Senate Draft 1 relating to purchase of service contracts by the judiciary.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

24 Ayes.

Thank you. SB2442 SD1 Passes Third Reading.

Standing Committee report number 2700. Third reading of Senate Bill 2485. Senate draft one relating to solid waste management.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

24 Ayes.

Thank you. SB2485 SD1 passes third reading.

On page six. Third reading of Senate Bill 895. Senate draft one relating to education.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

24 Ayes.

Thank you. SB895 SD1 passes third reading.

Referrals and re referrals.

Referrals and re referrals are made in accordance with the order of the day and any supplemental orders of the day that may be filed later today.

No further business. Mr. President.

Are there any announcements today? Senator Inouye.

Thank you, Mr. President. Yesterday was a birthday day for our dear Big Island Senator from Senate District 4, Senator Tim Richards. And happy birthday. A belated one from all of us. Good health.

Any further announcements? If not Senator Wakai. Oh, I'm sorry. I have an announcement. There will be a Senate leadership meeting in room 409 immediately after session. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that the Senate stand adjourned until 11:30am tomorrow.

Senator DeCorte.

Mr. President, I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. If there are no objections from the Members, the Senate will stand adjourned until 11:30am tomorrow.