Senate Floor

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

[Roll call]. Twenty-four present, one excused.

Thank you. The chair has read the Journal of the Preceding Day and approves the same. Are there any introductions this morning? Senator Kanuha and then Senator Awa.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, on your behalf, I'm honored to welcome outstanding 5th grade students from Island School visiting us today from Kauai. Will the students, along with their teachers and chaperones seated in the gallery, please rise? Members, please join me in extending a warm Senate welcome to 5th graders from Island School.

Mr. President, these students have made the journey to the Capitol to learn more about how their state government works and to see the legislative process in action. You may be seated. Mr. President, at the appropriate time, I request that the names of our visitors from Kauai be entered into the Journal.

So ordered, Senator Awa.

We took the island for-- we took the honors for Island School, I think.

I believe that the Island School children may not have made it, and these--

We're all children on the island, though.

Yes. So thank you for making me feel good because we had a lot of company from Kauai.

Up in the gallery, out of the North Shore, our most engaged elementary schools in my four years that I've been here, please welcome La'ie Elementary 5th graders. You guys can rise one more time. This is for you. This one's for you.

And they're accompanied by Sandra Aluli, Kyrie Day, Moana England, Rebecca Fanoi Moana, Joe Gruninger, Sarah Hoglin, Mary Nautu, and Kayla Tuitele. Thank you for making the drive out here, and it's a special day for us. We hope you enjoy what you see. Mahalo.

And I know you've noted it, Madam Clerk, but for the record, please note Senator Inouye is present. Any further introductions? If not, Madam Clerk.

Governor's Message Numbers 729 to 747 and 749 to 754: transmit nominations to various boards and commissions.

File. Oh. Governor's Message Number 729 to 747 and 749 to 754 are referred in accordance with the referrals listed on the Order of the Day.

Governor's Message Number 748: withdrawing a nomination to the Board of Pharmacy.

Now file.

House Communication Numbers 130 to 225: transmit various House bills, which pass Third Reading in the House for First Reading and referral to committee.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that said House bills 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.

On Page 21, introduction of measures: Senate Concurrent Resolution Numbers 28 to 57 and Senate Resolution Numbers 26 to 55 for referral to committee.

So ordered.

Beginning on the same page, Third Reading of the Consent Calendar from pages 21 to 55.

If there are no objections from the members, we will be taking Third Reading on consent.

Third Reading of all bills on the Consent Calendar, beginning with Standing Committee Report Number 2221 on Senate Bill 3179 Senate Draft 1 on page 21 through Standing Committee Report Number 3098 on Senate Bill 3055 Senate Draft 2 on page 55.

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

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. All bills on the Consent Calendar from SB Number 3179 SD 1 on page 21 through SB 3055 SD 2 on page 55 pass Third Reading.

Beginning on page 56, floor amendments: Third Reading of Senate Bill 2454 Senate Draft 1, relating to campaign contributions.

Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to offer a floor amendment to SB 2454 SD 1.

Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.

Floor Amendment Number Two: proposing an amendment to Senate Bill 2454 Senate Draft 1, copies of which have been distributed to the members.

Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move the floor-- that Floor Amendment Number Two be adopted.

Senator Gabbard.

I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. This floor amendment just puts a defective effective date on this bill, so to facilitate further conversation about the topic. Mahalo.

Thank you. Is there any further discussion? If not, any objections? The motion is carried. Floor Amendment Number Two has been adopted. Forty-eight-hour notice is hereby given for Third Reading of SB 2454 SD 2.

Third Reading of Senate Bill 2830 Senate Draft 1, relating to misconduct by a public servant.

Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to offer a floor amendment to SB 2830 SD 1.

Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.

Floor Amendment Number Three: proposing an amendment to Senate Bill 2830 Senate Draft 1, copies of which have been distributed to the members.

Senator Rhoads.

Mr. President, I move that Floor Amendment Number Three be adopted.

Senator Gabbard.

Second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. Same situation here. The floor amendment simply puts a defective effective date on the bill for further discussion. Mahalo.

Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. Floor Amendment Number Three has been adopted. Forty-eight-hour notice is hereby given for Third Reading of Senate Bill 2830 SD 2.

Standing Committee Report Number 2986: Third Reading of Senate Bill 2397, relating to neighborhood boards.

Senator McKelvey.

Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to offer a floor amendment to SB 2397.

Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.

Floor Amendment Number Four: proposing an amendment to Senate Bill 2397, copies of which have been distributed to the members.

Senator McKelvey.

Mr. President, I move that Floor Amendment Number Four be adopted.

Senator Fukunaga.

I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Senator McKelvey.

Thank you very much. The reason for this floor amendment is to add an effective date to the measure. Upon further review, it appears that the draft, which was issued by the committees, does not reflect the intent of the measure and could have some unintended consequences, so therefore, defective date will facilitate conversation to correct these issues.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried and Amendment Number Four has been adopted. Senator McKelvey. We need to separate Senate Bill 2397?

I am so sorry. I'm used to the House. Mr. President, I move to separate SB 2397 from Standing Committee Report Number 2986.

Did you want the sergeant to escort you back to the House?

No. I don't think they'd want that either, Mr. President.

Senator Fukunaga.

Anyway, let's separate this, shall we?

Yes.

Thank you.

Can we have a second, Senator Fukunaga, please?

I second.

Thank you. It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. The clerk is directed to file Standing Committee Report Number 2986. Forty-eight-hour notice is hereby given for Third Reading of SB 2397 SD 1.

Continuing on page 56, Third Reading of Senate Bill 2480 Senate Draft 1.

If there are no objections from the members, SB 2480 SD 1 is recommitted to the Committee on Judiciary.

Standing Committee Report Number 2983. Third Reading of Senate Bill 2423 Senate Draft 1, relating to zoning.

If there are no objections from the members, Senate Bill 24--is it 23 or 34? Senate Bill 2423 SD 1 is recommitted to the Committee on Judiciary, and the clerk is directed to file Standing Committee Report Number 2983.

Beginning on page 57, Third Reading.

If there are no objections from the members, we'll be taking Third Reading on consent.

Standing Committee Report Number 2782: Third Reading of Senate Bill 2009 Senate Draft 2, relating to motor vehicles.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes for Senators Awa and Fevella.

Twenty-three ayes; two noes.

Thank you. SB 2009 SD 2 passes Third Reading.

Standing Committee Report Number 2783: Third Reading of Senate Bill 2517 Senate Draft 1, relating to public safety.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations: Senator Richards, Senator San Buenaventura. Any no votes? No votes: Senators Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

Twenty-two ayes; three noes.

Thank you. SB 2517 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

Standing Committee Report Number 2784: Third Reading of Senate Bill 2518 Senate Draft 1, relating to assault against law enforcement officers.

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

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 2518 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

Third Reading of Senate Bill 2960 Senate Draft 1, relating to property insurance.

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

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 2960 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

Third Reading of Senate Bill 2964 Senate Draft 1, relating to property insurance.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations: Senator Richards, Senator San Buenaventura. Any no votes? Reservation: Senator Inouye.

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 2964 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

On page 58, Third Reading of Senate Bill 2143 Senate Draft 1, relating to the Chief Election Officer.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote: Senator Awa.

Twenty-four ayes; one no.

Thank you. SB 2143 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

Third Reading of Senate Bill 2149 Senate Draft 1, relating to family.

Is there any discussion? Senator San Buenaventura, do you have discussion? Any reservations? Or do we have unanimous consent? Reservations: Senator San Buenaventura.

With short comments. I'd just like to note that we've already passed similar bill on SB 2149, and I just also-- the reservations is because divorce is very expensive, and if the victim wishes to go to mediation, she should be allowed to, which is what the Judiciary's comments were. For those reasons, reservations.

Thank you. Further reservations? Reservations: Senator McKelvey, Inouye DeCoite. Any no votes?

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 2149 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

Third Reading of Senate Bill 2447 Senate Draft 1, relating to campaign finance.

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

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 2447 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

Third Reading of Senate Bill 2721 Senate Draft 1, relating to the Administration of Justice.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes: Senators Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

Twenty-two ayes; three noes.

Thank you. SB 2721 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

Third Reading of Senate Bill 2731 Senate Draft 1, relating to sentencing.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes: Senator Awa and DeCorte.

Twenty-three ayes; two noes.

Thank you. SB 2731 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

Third Reading of Senate Bill 3071 Senate Draft 1, relating to offenses against public health and morals.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations: Senator San Buenaventura and DeCoite. Any no votes?

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 3071 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

Page 59, Third Reading of Senate Bill 2999 Senate Draft 1, relating to a clean fuel standard.

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

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 2999 SD 1 passes Third Reading.

Standing Committee Report Number 2846: Third Reading of Senate Bill 3183 Senate Draft 2, relating to renewable energy.

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

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 3183 SD 2 passes Third Reading.

Standing Committee Report Number 2847: Third Reading of Senate Bill 2248 Senate Draft 2, relating to financial disclosures.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote for Senator San-- reservations. Any no votes?

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 2248 SD 2 passes Third Reading.

Standing Committee Report Number 2852: Third Reading of Senate Bill 3085 Senate Draft 2, relating to the Hawaii Film Studio.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote? Reservation: Senator Rhoads.

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 3085 SD 2 passes Third Reading.

Third Reading of Senate Bill 3255 Senate Draft 1, relating to currency.

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

Twenty-five ayes.

Thank you. SB 3255 SD 1 passes Third Reading. If you will pause a moment, Madam Clerk, I believe the Majority Leader has a late introduction now.

Thank you, Mr. President. May I offer a late introduction?

Please proceed.

Thank you. Mr. President, on behalf of your Island of Kauai, I'm honored to welcome outstanding 5th grade students from Island School visiting us today from Kauai as--like I said. Will the students, along with their teachers and chaperones seated in the gallery, please rise and be recognized? You may be seated.

Mr. President, these students have made the journey to the Capitol to learn more about how their state government works and to see the legislative process in action. Mr. President, at the appropriate time, I request that the names of our visitors from Kauai be entered into the Journal.

We will get the names from their teachers and then get it to the clerk. So ordered. Now can we resume, Madam Clerk?

On page 60. Third reading of Senate Bill 2239, Senate Draft 1, relating to voter registration.

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

24 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2239, SD 1 passes third reading.

Third reading of Senate Bill 2418, Senate Draft 1, relating to controlled substances.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa and Fevella, Senator DeCorte.

21 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2418, SD 1 passes through third reading.

Third reading of Senate Bill 2568, Senate Draft 1, relating to offenses against public servants.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, three noes.

Thank you. SB 2568, SD 1 passes third reading.

Third reading of Senate Bill 2737, Senate Draft 1, relating to bribery.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any reservations? Reservations Senators San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Keohokalole, Lamosao, Inouye, Kim, DeCoite. Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2737, SD 1 passes third reading.

Third reading of Senate Bill 3072, Senate Draft 1, relating to theft.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 3072, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2893. Third reading of Senate Bill 2975, Senate Draft 1, relating to marine life conservation districts.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, Senator Fevella.

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. SB 2975, SD 1 passes third reading.

Page 61. Standing committee report number 2907. Third reading of Senate Bill 2080, Senate Draft 1, relating to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senators McKelvey, Hashimoto. Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2080, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2908. Third reading of Senate Bill 2178, Senate Draft 1, relating to industrial hemp.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2178, SD 1, passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2909. Third reading of Senate Bill 847, Senate Draft 2, relating to psychologists.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator Moriwaki, Senator Hashimoto, Senator Wakai. Any no votes? No votes Senator DeCorte.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 847, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2913. Third reading of Senate Bill 2103, Senate Draft 2, relating to pesticides.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator Richards, Senator Hashimoto, Lamosao, DeCoite, and McKelvey. Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2103, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2917. Third reading of Senate Bill 2061, Senate Draft 2, relating to residential condominiums.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2061, SD 2 passes third reading.

On page 62. Standing committee report number 2920. Third reading of Senate Bill 2100, Senate Draft 2, relating to pesticides.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senators Awa, DeCorte, Fevella. No vote for Senator Lamosao. Okay, so we have no vote Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella. Reservation Senator Richards and Senator Lamosao, Senator DeCoite.

22 ayes, three noes.

Thank you. SB 2100, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2922. Third reading of Senate Bill 2353, Senate Draft 2, relating to outdoor signage.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator Ihara, Elefante, Rhoads. Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa and Fevella.

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. SB 2353, SD 2 passes through third reading.

Standing committee report number 2924. Third reading of Senate Bill 3062, Senate Draft 2, relating to liquor.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 3062, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2925. Third reading of Senate Bill 608, Senate Draft 2, relating to veterans rights and benefits.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 608, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2927. Third reading of Senate Bill 2761, Senate Draft 2, relating to social media.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2761 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2930. Third reading of Senate Bill 2497, Senate Draft 2, relating to electric energy.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? Oh, reservations Senator Richards. No votes Senator Fevella. Reservations Senator Inouye.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2497, SD 2 passes third reading.

On page 63. Standing committee report number 2931, third reading of Senate Bill 2367, Senate Draft 2, relating to state boating facilities.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2367, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2933. Third reading of Senate Bill 2003, Senate Draft 2, relating to natural resource management.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, San Buenaventura, Fevella. So we have no votes for Senators Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, and San Buenaventura. Reservations for Senators McKelvey, Keohokalole, and Ihara.

21 ayes, 4 noes.

Thank you. SB 2003, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2934. Third reading of Senate Bill 3252, Senate Draft 2, relating to climate planning.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 3252, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2938. Third reading of Senate Bill 2645, Senate Draft 3, relating to fire prevention.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2645, SD 3 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2942. Third reading of Senate Bill 2153, Senate Draft 2, relating to agriculture.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2153, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2946. Third reading of Senate Bill 2875, Senate Draft 1, relating to education.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2875, SD 1 passes third reading.

On page 64, standing committee report number 2951. Third reading of Senate Bill 3253, Senate Draft 2, relating to conservation.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 3253, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2953. Third reading of Senate Bill 2114, Senate Draft 2, relating to collective bargaining.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2114, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2954. Third reading of Senate Bill 2698, Senate Draft 2, relating to transportation.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senators Elefante, San Buenaventura, DeCoite. Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2698, SD 2 passes third reading.

Third reading of Senate Bill 3250, Senate Draft 1, relating to Liberty and Justice Day.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes and 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 3250, SD 1 passes third reading.

Third reading of Senate Bill 2001, Senate Draft 1, relating to the Banyan Drive Community Development District.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senators Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2001, SD 1 passes third reading.

On page 65. Third reading of Senate Bill 3169, Senate Draft 1, relating to coastal resilience.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 3169, SD 1 passes third reading.

Third reading of Senate Bill 3125, Senate Draft 1, relating to income tax.

Is there any discussion? Senator Dela Cruz.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of SB 3125, SD 1. I want to thank you for your leadership, the Ways and Means Committee Members, and the Governor's administration for working with the committee to develop a proposal that preserves tax relief in Act 46 for Hawaii's working families.

Act 46 of 2024 was landmark legislation that provided comprehensive tax relief for Hawaii's residents. It set the pathway to increase standard deductions to 24,000 by 2031 and adjusted brackets at multiple levels by 2029 so that all families saw reduced taxes. However, our financial outlook has significantly changed since then.

The uncertainty brought by the federal budget cuts and the shutdown in 2025, stagnating tax revenues, and modest economic growth have all impacted the state's General Fund. While the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization states that Hawaii is exiting its modest recession, it also reports that we will continue to face significant challenges.

The upcoming Council of Revenues General Fund forecast today will be a telling sign if the state is on the right trajectory. Addressing the uncertainties we face is a shared responsibility and the state must tighten its belt before asking taxpayers to do so.

To deliver on our promise for working families, your committee is looking at all avenues to maintain financial stability. This approach includes common sense things like sunsetting tax credits, cutting long standing vacant positions, transferring excess balances in non General Fund accounts, and reducing overall spending to live within our means.

Addressing the financial challenges we face, only a shared and responsible approach will protect our ability to provide essential services to families and protect against federal uncertainty. SB 3125, SD 1 combined with other actions will help the state meet its goals while also preserving the historic tax breaks for working families.

The proposed changes in SB 3125, SD 1 ensures that continued tax relief for households earning less than 350,000 for joint filers, $262,500 for head of household filers, and 175,000 for individual filers. This adjustment means that working families of the state will continue to see meaningful tax relief. In addition, SB 3125, SD 1 preserves the increases to the standard deduction through 2031.

This is critical as most working families take the standard deduction. As part of our shared responsibility to balance the state finances, SB 3125, SD 1 also proposes to sunset certain tax credits on January 1, 2029. This sunset provides the opportunity to further study the efficacy of these tax credits and an opportunity to revisit their sunset dates at a later time should these tax credits be deemed necessary for the state to reach its goals.

Your committee will continue to review the effectiveness of these proposals to provide tax relief by extending the sunset of the earned income tax credit and food excise tax credit and making structural changes to the child and dependent care tax credit to ensure that working households remain at the core of our tax reform policy. I want to emphasize that this proposal continues to maintain meaningful tax relief for Hawaii's working families. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator DeCorte.

In opposition. Thank you. As Hawaii is already one of the most expensive places to live in the nation, and I don't need to go down the list of what those lists are, but it's basically pushing local families to the financial edge.

And while other states have no income on tax, Hawaii ranks as the second highest in the nation behind California. Now, we are consistently ranked by one of the worst states in the country to own and operate a business. That means that the very people creating jobs and opportunity are already under enormous pressure.

Starting the tax threshold at 262, while on paper may sound like a lot, here in Hawaii that can easily represent a working family with multiple dependents, a small business owner and a spouse, or parents simply trying to keep up with the cost of living. There were families and local businesses that were looking forward to this tax break breaks, not so that they could live lavish and splurge, but so they could save, so they could grow their business or maybe even help their kids with a down payment.

But now we're saying that now you guys just got to wait. And although it might be a little dramatic to say that this state is taxing its people to death, it's not dramatic to say that this state is taxing our people into depression, into hunger, into homelessness and displacement from the communities that they grew up in.

It's very important that when the state makes a promise to its people, that we keep our promise. Now, although things have shifted and although things have changed, it's important that we carry the burden of that now. I have seen, Mr. President, firsthand out of this body, the resources and opportunities to help our people thrive.

I've seen programs, I've seen resources, I've seen fundings to help people purchase their own homes, to help them to start their own business. And now that we had an opportunity to incentivize these people and give them a thumbs up and say, good job, now we're putting the plug on them and saying, now you guys just gotta wait. So with that, Mr. President, respectfully, I will be voting in opposition. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator McKelvey.

Thank you, Mr. President. In strong support. And I would like to just remind my friends from across the aisle, it's because of this Big Beautiful Bill that we are doing this. The people they talk about are taken care of. And one of the biggest tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires we've ever seen.

What we're doing is protecting the working people of Hawaii while still continuing to shore up loss of federal dollars from an arbitrary administration and being responsibly looking at tax credits to ensure the public policy behind them is truly meeting the spending. So this is a good approach. It protects us. This is a pause. And they're already being taken care of under the OBBA. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator DeCorte.

In opposition. Mr. President, I would just like to state for the record that Hawaii has been ranked as one of the worst states in the nation to conduct a business. We have been ranked as the highest economic household of living. We have been ranked as a consistently high state that is taxing its people. That was long before the federal administration had taken place. It didn't help, but this has been a problem that we've been facing for decades.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd just like to have the words from the Senator from District 6 written down as if they're my own. And just a couple of comments. Some of the proposals on this issue have been to completely stop the tax breaks that we gave a few years ago.

This proposal protects the less fortunate and, as others have argued, allows the tax increase to continue for those who have gotten big breaks at the federal level. So I think this is a much more responsible approach than simply getting rid of the tax, the overall tax cuts that we provided a few years ago. Mahalo.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa and DeCorte.

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. SB 3125, SD 1 passes third reading. Now that we've taken the vote, I just wanted to say to the Ways and Means Chair and Committee, since we met to talk about priorities pass back in November, we were always looking for a balance in dealing with the federal cuts while protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.

And I think that this bill goes a long way to try to articulate what are the goals of the majority of the Senate. So thank you for your work and look forward to the discussion that will continue as it makes its way through session. Madam Clerk.

Standing committee report number 2966. Third reading of Senate Bill 2338, Senate Draft 1, relating to housing.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa and DeCorte.

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. SB 2338, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2969. Third reading of Senate Bill 2593, Senate Draft 1, relating to the Law Enforcement Standards Board.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator Rhoads. Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa, DeCorte, Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2593, SD 1 passes third reading.

Page 66. Standing committee report number 2974. Third reading of Senate Bill 2401, Senate Draft 1, relating to regional shoreline mitigation districts.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2401, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2975. Third reading of Senate Bill 3033, Senate Draft 1, relating to coastal zone management.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 3033, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2976. Third reading of Senate Bill 2972, Senate Draft 1, relating to Oahu coral reef restoration.

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

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2972, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2979. Third reading of Senate Bill 3014, relating to wildlife.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 3014 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2981. Third reading of Senate Bill 2981, relating to land use.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator Elefante, Fukunaga, Lamosao, Ihara, McKelvey. Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa and San Buenaventura.

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. SB 2981 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2982. Third reading of Senate Bill 2973, Senate Draft 1, relating to fishing.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2973, SD 1 passes third reading.

Page 67. Standing committee report number 2984. Third reading of Senate Bill 2078, Senate Draft 1, relating to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2078, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2993. Third reading of Senate Bill 2713, Senate Draft 1, relating to pesticide buffer zones.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2713, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2994. Third reading of Senate Bill 2697, Senate Draft 1, relating to transportation.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, San San Buenaventura, and McKelvey.

20 ayes, 5 noes.

Thank you. SB 2697, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2997. Third reading of Senate Bill 2363, relating to the counties.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2363 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 2998. Third reading of Senate Bill 2530, Senate Draft 2, relating to campaign contributions.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator San Buenaventura, Inouye, and DeCoite. Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2530, SD 2 passes third reading.

On page 68. Standing committee report number 3002. Third reading of Senate Bill 2599, Senate Draft 2, relating to development.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have... Senator Lamosao.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to declare a conflict at this time for this measure. My husband is an engineer for the contractor that was awarded this.

Your conflict is granted. Madam Clerk, she is excused from voting on this item. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservation? Any no votes?

24 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2599, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3006. Third reading of Senate Bill 3334, Senate Draft 2, relating to education.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator Richards, Elefante, Fukunaga, Lamosao, Inouye, Ihara, Gabbard, Keohokalole. Discussion? Senator Fevella.

Yes, Senate President. Besides registering, because of my voice, can I enter my comments into the Journal?

So ordered. Senator Kim.

Also want to insert comments into the Journal. Thank you.

So ordered. Senator DeCorte.

I would just like to note my strong support for this bill. Thank you.

Thank you. Again, we got all the reservations, Madam Clerk?

Yes, Mr. President.

Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 3334, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3010. Third reading of Senate Bill 2240, Senate Draft 2, relating to land use.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2240, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3011, third reading of Senate Bill 2372, Senate Draft 2, relating to trees.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2372, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3017. Third reading of Senate Bill 3263, Senate Draft 2, relating to the University of Hawaii.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Wakai.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 3263, SD 2 passes third reading.

On page 69. Standing committee report number 3018. Third reading of Senate Bill 2174, Senate Draft 2, relating to agriculture.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2174, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3019. Third reading of Senate Bill 2128, Senate Draft 2, relating to trespass.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Fevella, Senator Awa.

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. SB 2128, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3026. Third reading of Senate Bill 2797, Senate Draft 2, relating to consumer protection.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 2797, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3042. Third reading of Senate Bill 2591, Senate Draft 1, relating to noise.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator DeCoite. Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa, DeCorte, Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2591, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3044. Third reading of Senate Bill 2983, Senate Draft 1, relating to natural resources.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa, Senator DeCorte.

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. SB 2983, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3046. Third reading of Senate Bill 3249, Senate Draft 1, relating to procurement protests.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 3249, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3047. Third reading of Senate Bill 2611, Senate Draft 1, relating to schools.

Is there any discussion? Senator Kidani? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senators Fukunaga, Keohokalole. Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa and San Buenaventura.

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. SB 2611, SD 1 passes third reading.

On page 70. Standing committee report number 3048. Third reading of Senate Bill 2429, Senate Draft 1, relating to traffic safety.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2463, SD 1 passes third reading. Did I skip? I'm sorry. That is Senate Bill 2429, SD 1 passes third reading. Thank you, Grace.

Standing committee report number 3049. Third reading of Senate Bill 2463, Senate Draft 1, relating to the use of intoxicants while operating a vehicle.

Is there any discussion? Senator Kim.

I'm going to be voting WR. I'd like to insert the comments that I've inserted last or said on this floor two years in a row. So thank you.

Not sure if I want to so order that. So ordered. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Reservations besides Senator Kim? Senator San Buenaventura. Any no votes?

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 3315, SD 2 passes third reading. Oh, we're on 2463, SD 1 passes third reading. Keep wanting to get to the end.

Standing committee report number 3053. Third reading of Senate Bill 3315, Senate Draft 2, relating to cannabis.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. SB 3315, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3055. Third reading of Senate Bill 2054, Senate Draft 2, relating to public safety.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2054, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3060. Third reading of Senate Bill 2010, Senate Draft 2, relating to motor vehicles.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2010, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3061. Third reading of Senate Bill 2189, Senate Draft 1, relating to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2189, SD 1 passes third reading.

Page 71. Standing committee report number 3064. Third reading of Senate Bill 2818, Senate Draft 2, relating to voting.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2818, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3067. Third reading of Senate Bill 2567, Senate Draft 2, relating to petitions to temporarily restrain and enjoin harassment of an employee.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2567, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3068. Third reading of Senate Bill 3133, Senate Draft 2, relating to preventive medicine.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 3133, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3073. Third reading of Senate Bill 3322, Senate Draft 2, relating to law enforcement.

Is there any discussion? Senator Rhoads.

Thank you, Mr. President. In support. Just brief comments. The events up on the continent, especially in Minnesota, where US citizens were shot dead by ICE officers, is something I would very much not like to have repeated here in Hawaii. And this bill is intended to make that a more likely probability by restricting the use of masks for all law enforcement officers, federal, state, and county. So I'm hopeful that we avoid all that here in Hawaii that has troubled parts of the mainland. Mahalo.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Fevella.

Thank you, Senate President. Can we register my no vote? I understand what's happening in the continent, and you know, we understand that, but we live in Hawaii. Again, we're going to restrict things here in Hawaii because what's happening in the continent. Not saying it can't happen here, but our law enforcements live in our community. They don't live outside of the community, they don't live elsewhere, they don't live on Staten Island and all of that. They live in our neighborhood.

So again, we're going to endanger them by having them restricted of wearing masks, and then they can be identified and then your neighbor is going to go out, get somebody to attack your neighbor. That's not right. If they have to protect themselves, they need to protect themselves. And I think by restricting the protection, it's only endangering the community and our law enforcement because they protect us. Thank you, Senate President.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator DeCorte.

In opposition. Permission to enter the Senator from Ewa Beach's comments into my comments. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa, DeCorte, Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 3322, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3074. Third reading of Senate Bill 2392, Senate Draft 2, relating to traffic safety.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Fevella.

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2392, SD 2 passes third reading

On page 72. Standing committee report number 3075. Third reading of Senate Bill 2665, Senate Draft 2, relating to renewal of driver's licenses.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No vote Senator Awa and DeCorte.

23 ayes, 2 noes.

No vote Senator Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2665, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3076. Third reading of Senate Bill 3077, Senate Draft 2, relating to health care.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 3077, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3080. Third reading of Senate Bill 2730, Senate Draft 2, relating to criminal justice reform.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2730, SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3083. Third reading of Senate Bill 2667, Senate Draft 1, relating to transportation.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 2667, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3091. Third reading of Senate Bill 2516, Senate Draft 1, relating to public safety.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa and DeCorte.

23 ayes, 2 noes.

Thank you. SB 2516, SD 1 passes third reading.

Standing committee report number 3095. Third reading of Senate Bill 3251, Senate Draft 2, relating to public safety.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservation? Reservations Senator San Buenaventura, Kim, McKelvey, Keohokalole, Moriwaki. Any no votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, and Fevella.

22 ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. SB 3251, SD 2 passes third reading.

On page 73. Standing committee report number 3099. Third reading of Senate Bill 2151, Senate Draft 2, relating to emergency management.

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

24 ayes, 1 no.

Thank you. SB 2151, SD 2 passes third reading.

Referrals and re-referrals.

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

Miscellaneous business. Waiver of referral and one day notice.

Senator Dela Cruz.

Thank you, Mr. President. I request the waiver of the referral of Senate Bill number 3040, SD 1 to the Committee on Ways and Means. Your committee is requesting this for this waiver as it believes the proposal in this measure to prevent gun violence warrants further discussion and requests the waiver to meet the first crossover deadline. There is no House companion or similar House Bill and therefore this bill is the only vehicle available.