Senate Floor

For the Senate. Please come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Madam Clerk, you know, if you will note that Senator Fevella is excused. And if I had not communicated to every Member, he is not here because he lost his father this morning. And if he's here Monday, then you know, we'll be able to express our condolences in person to him. Please proceed with the roll call.

[Roll Call] 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. Then, Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Mr. President. It's my pleasure to recognize the YMCA and the incredible work it does here in Hawaii and across our nation. Nationwide, more than 2,600 YMCAs serve nearly 17 million youth and adults each year in 10,000 communities across all 50 states. This year, the YMCA. Excuse me.

The YMCA will celebrate 175 years of strengthening communities and changing lives. In honor of that milestone, the Governor has proclaimed today to be YMCA Day in Hawaii.

As a charitable nonprofit, the YMCA is a trusted and welcoming presence providing childcare for working families, programs that support the physical and mental health of our kupuna and adults, water safety and youth development for our keiki, and opportunities for volunteers and young leaders to grow and give back.

Today we are honored to have with us YMCA staff, students and volunteers. If you could all stand, representing the islands of Hawaii and Oahu, including Wendy Botello, CEO of Island Hawaii YMCA, and Walter Tamus, CEO of the YMCA of Honolulu. Please welcome to the Senate.

Their presence here reminds us that the wise impact reaches across our INA and into the lives of thousands of local families. Thank you very much, Mahlo.

Thank you, Senator Rhodes. I would share that while going to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Two years of my work study was working for the YMCA in Des Moines. So it certainly helped me attain the education I have today. So I appreciate everything the Y does, Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Senate President. I'd also like to point out that from East Hawaii we have Wendy Botello from YWC and she came here despite having had to go to the ER recently for having to be Pelles hair from the tefa. So it is.

It shows her commitment to the Y, as well as Martha Vardillas, both of whom look like twins and whom I've known for many years. So, welcome to the Senate. And also we have from my office, we have Monique Tokumi. Please stand. And also, of course, Kevin. I mean, Kamana Levy. Sorry. Thank you. And welcome to the Senate,

Senator Elefante.

Thank you, Mr. President. Joining us in the gallery, we have Jay Franzon from Everytown for Gun Safety. Please welcome him. Thank you.

Any further introduction, Senator McKelvey?

Yes, Mr. President. I'd just like to embarrass my staff and introduce them all to the Senate. Wendy Wilson, who's with my office, who you all know, and Beth MacKenzie, now Calama joining us today. Please welcome them to the Senate.

Thank you, Senator San Buenaventura. I'm sorry, you, Honor. I mean, I'm sorry. Feel like I'm back in the courtroom. But I also. I failed to introduce my longtime office Clerk, and that is John Honda, who is also present. Thank you.

Further introductions, if not. Madam Clerk.

Governor's message numbers 755, 756 and 761. Withdraw nominations to various boards and commissions.

Governor's message numbers 757 to 760. Transmit nominations to various boards and commissions.

File.

Governor's message numbers 757 to 760 are referred in accordance with the referrals listed on the order of the day.

Beginning on page 2. House communication numbers 226 to 445. Transmit various House bills which passed third reading in the House for first reading and referral to Committee.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. Honorable President, I move that the 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 38. Senate communication numbers one and two transmit notice to the Governor of the final form of three Senate bills proposing amendments to the Hawaii State constitution.

File.

On page 39. Introduction of measures, Senate Concurrent Resolution numbers 58 to 68, and Senate resolution numbers 56 to 63 for referral to Committee.

So ordered.

Beginning on page 40. Third reading.

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

Third reading of Senate Bill 3040, Senate Draft 1 relating to gun violence prevention.

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

22 Ayes, 2 Noes.

Thank you. SB 3040 SD1 passes third reading.

Third reading of Senate Bill 2454, Senate Draft 2 relating to campaign contributions.

If there are no objections from the Members, we will recommit. Senate Bill 2454, SD2 hearing no objections. So ordered.

Third reading of Senate Bill 2830. Senate Draft 2 relating to misconduct by a public servant.

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

24 Ayes.

Thank you. SB2830 SD2 passes third reading.

On page 41. Third reading of Senate Bill 2397, Senate Draft 1 relating to neighborhood boards.

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

24 Ayes.

Thank you. SB2397 SD1 passes third reading.

Referrals and re referrals.

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

No further business. Mr. President.

Are there any announcements today, Senator Decoite?

Thank you, Mr. President. Members, due to the declared weather emergency, we postpone Innovation and Manufacturing Day which had originally been scheduled for today, March 12, 2026. Innovation and Manufacturing Day has been rescheduled for April 1, 2026 from 1pm to 3pm on the fourth floor.

And we will also be postponing Tourism Day at the Capitol which was scheduled for tomorrow, March 13, 2026 from 9:00am to 1:00pm A new date for this event will be announced at a later time if we are not flooded out and floated off into the Ocean. Thank you, Mr. President.

Any further announcements, Senator Dela Cruz?

Thank you, Mr. President. Rise on a point of personal privilege.

I just wanted to wish Governor George Arioshi a happy 100th birthday today. We thank him for his decades of service, his vision, his outstanding leadership and really also his decision making ability because his wife is from Wahiawa and is a Lenahua graduate.

Please proceed.

And he's left a lasting impact on our state and continues to inspire all of us. Mahalo.

Thank you. Any further announcements? If not Senator Wakai, your script hopefully was adjusted, mine was not that. We will be adjourning until 11:30am on Monday, March 16th. The Governor will be announcing at 1:00 clock today that all state offices, judiciary, University of Hawaii Public schools will be closed on Oahu and Maui tomorrow.

The Big Island and Maui closures will be subject to the Mayors as the brunt of the storm is expected later tonight here on Oahu and Maui. And so the Legislature will be closed tomorrow as well. And we will extend the deadline for filing resolutions from tomorrow to Monday.

Again, Committee chairs, if you're scheduling hearings, you're able to electronically do it, make sure that you get it done. If there is severe power outages impacting our ability to transact that duties, we will reconvene on Monday and determine what would be, you know, a possible course of action to remedy any impact that may have happened. Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move that the Senate stand adjourned until 11:30am Monday, March 16th.

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 Monday, May 16, at 11:30am.