Senate Floor

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

[Roll Call] 24 present. One excused.

Thank you. The re the chairs read the journal of the preceding day and approves the same. Are there any introductions this morning? Senator DeCorte.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. Today, I am honored to welcome the fifth grade class of Kawai Hona O Kanaua Public Charter School in Nanakuli. These students are known as Naalele, young messengers, learning and sharing 'ike of our Hawaiian

language, culture, traditions, and Mo'olelo with their classmates, their Ohana, their community, and beyond. These Haumana represent families from Makaha to Ewa Beach, grounded in place and purpose. Today, these students are not just visiting, they are participating.

Our Haumana will be taking part in a mock hearing right here at the State capitol in the auditorium, and they will passionately debate about legislation legislation concerning e bikes and stepping into the roles of testifiers and decision makers.

Now this is what civic engagement looks like. Young leaders learning how government works, how decisions are made, and how their voices shape policy. They are guided by a dedicated team of five Kumu. When I call your name, please stand to be recognized.

Kumu Pualani Kahale O'umi, Kumu Maca Owls, Kumu Valerie Mae Manoa, Kumu Kuulei Owls, and Kumu Kaulana Napua Crab. And at this time, I will ask the haumana of to please rise to be recognized and colleague Senate guest, a round of applause.

Do we have any further introductions, Senator Rhoads?

Thank you, Mr. President. It's my pleasure to introduce everyone who's here for Campaign for Immigrant Justice. I believe you're they're in the yellow shirts here. If you could rise and be welcome to the Senate.

Do we have any further introductions? If not, madam clerk?

Governor's message number 807 withdraws a nomination to the Hawaii advisory council on emergency management.

File.

Governor's message number 809 withdraws a nomination to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board.

File.

Governor's message number 11O3 informs the legislature that the governor signed Senate Bill 3225 into law as act three.

File.

Standing committee report number 3810 for one day notice.

So ordered.

Beginning on page three, advise and consent.

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

Standing committee report number 3695 on governor's messages for adoption.

Is there any discussion, Senator Kim?

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I rise in support of GM509 Komori Moss, GM652 Jonathan Guillotine, GM654 Daphne Okunaga, GM656 Dale Arakaki, and GM757 Logan Wakita to the Hawaii Teachers Standard Board.

Mr. President, the Hawaii teacher standards board grant teachers licensor and that and thus plays a critical role in ensuring that every classroom in Hawaii is led by a qualified and well prepared teacher. At the same time, we continue to face a significant teacher shortage across the state.

This dual challenge requires us to strike a careful balance, maintaining high professional standards while expanding pathways to bring more educators into the workforce.

For that reason, your committee on education thoughtfully scrutinized the nominees to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board to ensure that they are committed to both upholding the rigorous standards and responsive to the urgent need to address teacher shortage.

After reviewing their qualifications, experience, public testimonies, and personal interviews, your Senate committee on education find these five nominees to be capable of contributing thoughtfully and constructively to the important work of the Hawaii Teachers Standard Board and recommend that the Senate advise and consent to these five GMs. Mahalo.

Thank you. Any further discussion? If not, Senator Elefante?

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of GM654.

Please proceed.

And a few remarks. Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, I wanna thank all the nominees for their willingness to serve, but especially this particular nominee, miss Okinawa, I've known through the years in my work. I just wanted to urge my colleagues to please support her.

I think one thing that's really brilliant about her is her ability to even though she's left Pro City High School, she still does project grad for the last twenty years for her alma mater, and she does just more than just teaching the classroom, but goes over and beyond.

So please support GM654. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator DeCorte?

Thank you, Mr. President. I would also like to show my strong support for GM654, Daphne Okunaga. She has deep roots on the Wai'anae Coast. Her father was a principal at Wai'anae High School, mother, a teacher at Lehoku Elementary,

and I know she will bring the grit of Waianae onto the standards board and continue to serve our teachers and our parents across the state with integrity, and a little bit of fight in her to ensure that we keep the standard to a very high standard. So thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

This is for 509, 652, 654, 656, 757.

25 Ayes.

Thank you. The nominees for said governor's messages have been confirmed. Senator Kim.

Thank you, Mr. President. May I make a late introductions?

Please proceed.

Thank you. Sitting in the gallery are three of the newly appointed members of the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board, and I'd like to ask that they please stand to be recognized after I call their names.

First of all, miss Kamari Moss, principal of Moanalua Middle School in my district, who is joined by her husband, Dustin Moss, and Wendy Lum, retired teacher from Red Hill. Thank you.

Also, miss Daphne Okunaga, instructionalist, specialist I mean, strategist with Hawaii P20 who is joined by her husband, Grant Okunaga, and her father, mister Dennis Kajikawa.

Congratulations. And also, miss Logan Okita, a reading specialist at the Nimitz Elementary and vice president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association. And joining her from HSTA is president Osatouille, NEA senior policy analyst Lindsey Pfeiffer, executive director Andrea Elsman, teacher lobbyist Millie Milanta Laffton, and government relations specialist Jason Bradshaw. Congratulations to all of you. Appreciate your willingness to serve.

Madam clerk.

Governor's message, 657. Katina Suarez for advice and consent.

Is there any discussion? Senator DeCoite.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today in respectful opposition to GM 657 the appointment of principal Katrina Suarez and the Hawaii teacher standards boards. This is not easy for me as an alumni as an alumni of Molokai High School.

I take pride in that school, in its students, its teachers, and our community. And like all of us here, I have a responsibility to ask the tough questions of any nominee who comes before us, and I did.

Through that process, I came to serious concerns about readiness, communication, and alignment between what is said and what is practiced. During my interview, the nominee expressed support for grow your own initiatives, investing in local talent, and creating pathways for our own residents to serve in our schools.

But Members, when there was an opportunity to to do exactly that on Molokai, would a qualified local candidate, Kalea Adolfo, who was born and raised on Molokai, went on to the University of Hawaii, earned her master's degree in psychology,

and played double d one sport under Laura Beman and Dave Shoji, and returned home to serve. That philosophy was not reflected in the hiring decision for let it director position. Instead, the position was filled by someone who had who had been on island for only a few years.

That raises a real question about alignment between what is being said and what is being practiced. During the same interview through my line of questioning, it was conveyed to me that whether she serves on this board or not, she responds, it's okay.

Members, for a position of this importance, that answer matters. Following that interview, I met with the chair of education and shared my concerns and my position that I could not support this appointment.

I also want to thank the chair of education for asking a very simple but important question of the appointee.

Did you meet with your Senator? And her answer was no. We all understand that we that everyone has a lot on their table, but communication matters. Relationship matters. And I wanna share a very real example of why this is so troubling.

We had a student from Molokai who won a state wrestling championship this year. As many of you know, when our students achieve something like that, we recognize them. We celebrate them. We issue certificates. We lift them up and let them know how proud we are.

Typically, schools will reach out and share that information. In this case, there was no communication. We had to reach out. Remember, those moments matters. Those are the things that build pride in our schools, uplift our students, and strengthen the connection between our schools and our communities.

When those opportunities are missed because of a lack of communication that is deeply concerning, it is not just that instance. I have spoken directly with parents, teachers, students, and alumni that the morale at Molokai High School is low and that communication is a consistent challenge.

Academically, Molokai High School ranks near the bottom statewide. That is not a reflection of our students' potential because we know our students can succeed, but it does raise important questions about leadership, support, and the overall environment being created for learning.

We saw similar issues with project graduation where community members and teachers stepped up early to support our students, understanding how critical planning and funding are.

But coordination and communication broke down even when donor support had already been identified. And when I asked her about teacher support for this nomination, the response was, there was not enough time and the only support was from superintendent Hayashi. Members, if there is not enough time to engage your own teachers from nomination of the Hawaii teachers standards board, it raises a very real question about the capacity to serve on that board.

I could go on and on about issues that are alarming, but these are just a few examples. This is not this is not about one issue.

It is about a pattern. A pattern that raises concerns about communication, trust, and leadership. All of which are essential for a role that helps shape the standards of our educators statewide. At this time I believe the priority should be on strengthening leadership in the school at the school level, improving communication, rebuilding morale and supporting students and teachers where it matters most.

For those reasons, Mr. President, I respectfully stand in opposition to advising and consenting to GM 657 , and I ask for the support from my colleagues.

Mahalo, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further discussion, Senator Kim?

Thank you, mister president. Mister president, your committee on education did in fact vote to advise and consent on GM567 seven, Katina Suarez. At that meeting, we had some concerns regarding that. We did not know the the concerns of the Senator of the district, and we did reach out to her after the meeting.

And so with that, the the committee considers, the Senator of the district and her comments, but the vote was three to zero to confirm her in committee. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion, Senator Hashimoto.

Thank you, Mr. President. In opposition?

Please proceed.

Let me begin by acknowledging the service to education provided by this nominee. The years of experience and dedication to the profession and the community are certainly not in question. However, our responsibility in this body is simply not to recognize service rather just to evaluate leadership, judgment and outcomes.

From this perspective, serious concerns have been raised regarding the handling of the Kayapuni program under the leadership of this nominee as the chairperson of the teacher standards committee.

The Kailani program is vital to perpetuate Hawaiian language in our state.

It is not just an instructional model, it is a culturally grounded community. This means policy decisions affecting Kailani must be rooted in deep cultural understanding and built on trust with the communities they impact.

Unfortunately, what we have seen instead is a pattern of administrative decision making that consistently ignored stakeholder concerns and recommendations. In late 2025, a Hawaiian working group was convened to provide guidance and build agreement on how to strengthen this licensure pathway.

However, the the those same experts including the office of Hawaiian Education testify that their formal recommendations were omitted from the draft policy.

This raises a fundamental question, why convene indigenous education experts if their voices are ultimately disregarded? When I personally met with the nominee in early March to discuss this appointment, the nominee explicitly stated that the Kaiapuni was on the right track.

However, it was only after I independently reviewed the meeting minutes of the board that I realized this statement was simply not true. The consequences of this leadership style have led to outcomes that extend far beyond Kaiapuni.

We are currently in the middle of a historic teacher shortage crisis At a time when we should be expanding pathways, building partnerships, and responding with urgency, the Hawaii State Teachers Standards Board is often doing the exact opposite.

This is exemplified in the leadership outcomes of this nominee which include creating administrative barriers, limiting access, and failing to collaborate meaningfully with stakeholders who are trying to be a part of the solution. So for these reasons, I must respectfully oppose the governor's message 657. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further discussion, Senator Fevella then Senator McKelvey.

Thank you, Senator president. I'm in opposition, and I previous speaker into the general as my own. Thank you.

You're honored. Senator McKelvey?

Thank you, Mr. President. Also in opposition, would like the esteemed words of my two colleagues from Maui into the record as if they were my own except for the personal references. I obviously wasn't there. Thank you.

Please proceed. I mean, so ordered. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Senator Kidani.

I'm sorry.

Thank you, Mr. President. I am also standing in opposition. Thank you.

Thank you. Is it a speech or a no vote? I'm gonna ask. And then I think there'll be a few, so I'm gonna ask everyone just be seated and raise your hand high. Do we have unanimous consent?

Any no votes? Madam clerk, the nominee for governor's message 657 fails to be confirmed.

They still have to tie into the sewer. Right now, my water bill is a $100, maybe a little bit more. My sewer fees is $385.

Standing Committee Report number 3696 on governor's message number 658, which what was withdrawn by the governor this morning.

Senator Wakai.

Mr. President, I move for the to file Standing Committee Report number 3696.

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. The clerk is directed to file Standing Committee Report number 3696 and place the same in the journal.

On page four, adoption of resolutions, Standing Committee Report number 63697 for adoption.

Senator Wakai?

Mr. President, I move for the adoption of Standing Committee Report number 3697.

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 resolution 185 has been adopted.

Third reading of the consent calendar on pages five to 21.

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

Third reading of all bills on the consent calendar beginning with Standing Committee Report number 3662 on House Bill 2452, Senate Draft 1 on page five, through Standing Committee Report number 3808 on House Bill 2576, Senate Draft 2 on page 21.

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

25 Ayes.

All bills on cons on the consent calendar from House Bill number 2452 SD1 on page five through House Bill number 2576 SD2 on page 21 past third reading. I believe that, everyone has floor amendment number six. So let's proceed, madam clerk. Five and six.

Third reading of House Bill 2275, Senate Draft 1, relating to funding adjustments for state programs.

Senator Dela Cruz.

Mr. President, I wish to offer a floor amendment to House Bill 2275 SD 1.

Madam Clerk, please identify the amendment.

Floor amendment number six, proposing an amendment to House Bill 2275, Senate Draft 1, copies of which have been distributed to the Members.

Senator Dela Cruz.

Mr. President, I move that floor amendment number six be adopted. Senator Moriwaki? Senator Moriwaki? Senator Moriwaki?

Senator Moriwaki? Senator Moriwaki? Moriwaki?

I second the motion.

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

Your committee has is including estimated numbers from the administration on the state's projected expenses to address damage caused by the Kona low storms until we can get updated numbers hopefully during conference.

This amendment inserts an appropriation of $175,000,000 into the major disaster fund for fiscal year twenty six so that funds can be immediately used for recovery efforts and require certain reporting, to the legislature.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. Floor amendment number six has been adopted.

Forty eight hour notice is hereby given for third reading of HB 2275 SD two. Third reading.

Third reading of House Bill 1519, Senate Draft 2 relating to campaign contributions.

Senator San Buenaventura.

Mr. President, I wish to offer floor amendment to HB 1519 SD 2.

Madam clerk, please identify the amendment.

Floor amendment number five, proposing an amendment to House Bill 1519 Senate Draft 2, copies of which have been distributed to the Members.

Senator San Buenaventura.

Mr. President, I move that floor amendment number five be adopted.

Senator Hashimoto?

I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion, Senator San Buenaventura?

The amendment merely aligns the dates of donor contributions with that of candidate's receipts for enforcement purposes.

Is there any further discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. Floor amendment number five has been adopted. Senator San Buenaventura.

Mister president, I move to separate HB 1519 s d two from Standing Committee Report number 3799.

Senator Hashimoto.

I second the motion.

It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Any objections? If not, the motion is carried. The clerk is directed to file Standing Committee Report number 3799, 48 hour notice, is hereby given for third reading of HB 1519 S D three.

Third reading on the ordinary calendar beginning on page 21.

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

Third reading of House Bill 1516, Senate Draft 1 relating to pretrial release.

Is there do we have unanimous let me reset. Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no vote?

Reservations for Senator Elefante. No votes for Senators Awa, DeCorte, and Favela.

22 Ayes, 3 noes.

Thank you. HB 1516, HD1 SD1, it passes third reading. Did I miss a reservation? McKelvey, Moriwaki were reservations. I'm sorry.

So Elefante, McKelvey, Moriwaki reservations, no votes Awa, DecortE, and Fevella. And again, HB 1516 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

On page 22, third reading of House bill 1548 Senate Draft 1 relating to sentencing.

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. HB 1548 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Third reading of House Bill 1481 Senate Draft 1 relating to human remains.

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

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 1481 HD2 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3665, third reading of House Bill 1658 Senate Draft 1 relating to collective bargaining.

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

Senator Richards reservations, no votes.

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 1658 HD1 SD1 passes. Third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3668, third reading of House Bill 2276 Senate Draft 1 relating to the Hawaii Employer Union Health Benefits Trust Fund investment office staff salaries.

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

23 Ayes, 2 Noes.

Thank you. HB 2276 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3682 , third reading of House Bill 1740 Senate Draft 2relating to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

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

No votes, Senator DeCorte.

24 Ayes, 1 No.

Thank you. HB 1740 HD2 SD2 passes third reading.

On page 23, Standing Committee Report number 3683, third reading of House Bill 2472 Senate Draft 1 relating to the Hawaii Employer Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries.

Do we have unanimous consent? Any reservation discussion? Again, unanimous consent. Any reservations? Any no votes?

No votes, Senator Awa, Senator DeCorte.

23 Ayes, 2 Noes.

Thank you. HB 2472 HD1 SD1 pass Third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3685 , third reading of House Bill 2345 Senate Draft 2 relating to school facilities.

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

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 2345 HD1 SD2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3691, third reading of House bill 1523 Senate Draft 1 relating to the statewide traffic code.

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

22 Ayes, 3 Noes.

Thank you. HB 1523 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3692, third reading of House Bill 2021, Senate Draft 2 relating to transportation.

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

24 Ayes, 1 Noes.

Thank you. HB 2021, HD 2 SD 2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3693, third reading of House bill 1524 Senate Draft 1 relating to pedestrians.

Is there any discussion, Senator Elefante?

Thank you, Mr. President. In support with reservations and a few remarks.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. President. The concern that I have with this specifically has to do with the fine being too low at $25. I know it has a bad date, but in HDOT's testimony of the Department of Transportation, there were a total of 131 pedestrian fatalities from 2020 to 2024. And, Mr. President, if we wanna deter people from violating the law, I think one deterrent is looking at the fine for that.

So I look forward as the bill continues this conversation, but for these reasons, in support with reservations. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Reservation Senator Elefante, Senator Lamosao? Any no votes?

24 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 1524 HD2 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3694, third reading of House Bill 2020 Senate Draft 1, relating to renewal of driver's licenses.

Is there any discussion? Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Senate President. I stand in opposition. The op I understand that this, bill currently has a bad date. However, the biggest problem I have is the reality is that driver's license is the sole and main source of real ID for most residents of the state of Hawaii.

To somehow impede it for not only moving violations, but also traffic infractions, which means expired safety check, parking violations, and to require them to do a safety video and written road examination where right now there is no runway for HDOT to ensure fast and reliable renewal for these driver's licenses, which may prevent interisland travel.

I don't believe this bill is ready for prime time, especially when when it's so encompassing as to also include minor traffic infractions. Thank you in opposition.

Thank you. Senator McKelvey?

Same request up in opposition. I would like the words of the previous speaker enter the record as if they were my own. Thank you.

So ordered. Further discussion, Senator Elefante.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support.

Please proceed.

Thank you, Mr President. The Senator from Pune is correct. It does include traffic violations and moving violations. But one idea to approach this is look at those type of violations within the last five years, whether it's an educational online safety course or a written test. It could be looked at that.

And as the bill moves along for further discussion, this is one way in my previous remarks as I mentioned on pedestrian fatalities to address the issue because there's a lot of things that have changed in our traffic code and laws.

And I think for those that have been in violation of the law, it might be good for them to revisit some of these laws and take an educational course as a contingent for getting the renewal of license for for these reasons in support. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

No votes, Senator Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, San Buenaventura, DeCoite, and McKelvey.

19 Ayes, 6 Noes.

Thank you. HB 2020 HD2 SD1 passes third reading.

On page 24, Standing Committee Report number 3,700, third reading of House Bill 2423 Senate Draft 1 relating to bio biodiesel.

Is there any discussion? Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you. I stand in support with reservations. I'd like to point out Mark Glick's, testimony in that the 2028 date is super aggressive and that we may not be able to satisfy that date, especially which means we will be importing biodiesel, if we can't handle it.

So for those reasons, I stand I stand with strong reservations.

Thank you. Further discussions? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations?

Senator San Buenaventura, Richards, Kim, DeCoite. Any no votes? No votes, Senator Awa, Senator DeCoite, and Senator Fevella.

22 Ayes, 3 Noes.

Thank you. SB2423 HD3 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3710, third reading of House Bill 1842 Senate Draft 1 relating to government.

Is there any discussion? Senator Elefante?

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support, however, with reservations.

Please proceed.

And remarks. Thank you, Mr. President. The current proposal of the Westridge property is in the district that I represent, and one of my main concerns is that there's a current long term lease that the Department of Land and Natural Resources does own.

And this switches out the evil property which was in a previous bill from last year and the city testified, with concerns regarding that and we haven't heard from the city and county of Honolulu is if this would be an ideal property.

And I think we have to ask ourselves, is this a property that the state wants to give up in a transit oriented development area for development to the city?

With no due respect to the Bluntjarti administration who has been doing a top notch job with developing around transit stations. I think this is one of the last centerpieces that we have in Central Oahu that could build for mixed use housing and businesses.

So for these reasons, I hope that we could work out these issues in conference and for that in support with those reservations. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Reservation, Senator Elefante, Senator Richards, Senator Inouye, Senator Rhoads, Senator McKelvey, any no votes?

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 1842 HD2 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3711, third reading of House Bill 649 Senate Draft 1 relating to small boat harbors.

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

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 649 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3714, third reading of House Bill 1619, Senate Draft 1, relating to electric vehicle infrastructure.

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

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 1619 HD2 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3718, third reading of House Bill 2344, Senate Draft 2 relating to school facilities.

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

24 Ayes, 1 No.

Thank you. HB 2344, HD1 SD2 passes third reading.

On page 25, Standing Committee Report number 3720, third reading of House Bill 1929 Senate Draft 2 relating to biosecurity.

Is there any discussion? Senator Gabbard then Senator DeCoite.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this bill.

Please proceed.

In this crazy world of CRBs, LFAs, and coqui frogs, mongoose, and other invasive critters, the reality is Molokai doesn't have an inspection or quarantine facility. That's a problem because it leaves them exposed.

We've already seen the risk on Lanai, the coconut rhinoceros beetle came in through inspected plants. It was only caught because they had a secondary inspection facility. Molokai does not have that.

This bill gets the ball rolling and sets up a seven member Molokai Biosecurity Advisory Board so local folks, farmers, homesteaders, and others have a voice in how this is done. It also requires a Molokai specific plan focused on inter island shipments, inspections when goods arrive, and early detection and response.

And it makes sure the plan actually fits Molokai based on community input, not something designed on Oahu. We all know how fast invasive pests spread between islands. Once they're there, it's too late.

So this bill is about getting ahead of the issue before it becomes a bigger problem. And for that reason, I hope you will all join me in supporting this bill.

Thank you. Senator DeCoite?

Thank you, Mr. President. With reservations.

Proceed.

Colleagues, first, I wanna thank the Chair of agriculture committee and the Chairs of Ways and Means for their work and thoughtful amendments on this measure. I appreciate the continued focus on protecting all of our islands. I rise today with urgency.

Molokai was one was once one of the last islands free of coconut rhinoceros beetle. Today, that is no longer the case. We now have three confirmed cases three confirmed detections that changes everything. But let me be clear, this is not just some Molokai issue.

Every island is at risk, and that is why our response cannot simply be about planning. It must be about where and how we how we act. Because I have a fundamental concern with approach before us, why are we focusing response efforts just on Molokai after the threat has arrived?

Prevention must be our first line of defense. The strongest protection should be at our points of entry in places like Honolulu and while the secondary approach based on the amendments made by the Chair of agriculture, I can appreciate.

We already have tools, inspection authority, quarantine authority, enforcement mechanisms, as well as treatment options. The question is, are we using them fully, effectively, and in the right places?

Because invasive species do not respect county lines or island boundaries, and once they arrive, the cost and difficulty of control increases exponentially.

If we are serious about protecting our islands, then we must prioritize front end prevention, not just back end, back ass response. I must also express concern despite these confirmed cases, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity has not yet reached out

to my office with a clear plan of action on invasive species, including tuberculosis. That is troubling. We should not be reacting in silos. We should be coordinating, communicating, and acting with urgency together.

Colleagues, we cannot continue to say prevent prevention is our priority while focusing our efforts only after the threat has already arrived. That is not prevention. That is reaction. Our reaction is what costs us more, risks more, and leaves our neighbor islands exposed as well as Honolulu. If we wait until invasive species reach islands like Molokai Lanai and others, then we have already failed.

The line must be drawn at our points of entry, not after the damage is done. So the question before us is not whether we act, it is whether we are willing to act what actually makes the greatest difference. Because if we get this wrong, it will not just be one island. It will be all of them, and that is something we cannot afford. Mahalo, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further discussion, Senator McKelvey?

Thank you. Reservations, Mr. President?

Please proceed.

Would like the, words of my esteemed colleague from Molokai Union of the records if they were my own.

So ordered. Senator Richards.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support with reservations, and I would like the words of the Senator Molokai's words being inserted into the journal as if they were my own.

So ordered for the discussion. If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator Richards, Elefante, Fevella, San Buenaventura, Inouye, DeCoite, Wakai, and McKelvey. Any no votes?

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 1929 HD1 SD2 passes third reading.

Third reading of House Bill 1618 Senate Draft 1 relating to cesspool conversions.

Is there any discussion? Senator Gabbard.

Mr. President, I rise in strong support of this bill.

Please proceed.

Hawaii has over 80,000 cesspools, which is more than any other state in the country. These cesspools spill approximately 53,000,000 gallons of untreated sewage into our ground water and ocean every day. We banned the construction of new cesspools to statewide in 2016. In 2017, we set a 2050 deadline to get rid of the ones we have, but we're not on track. We're far from it.

The biggest barrier is cost which is huge. I'm told that it ranges from 30,000 to $60,000 to convert a cesspool to a septic system. This is insurmountable, especially for families who don't qualify for for traditional financing. So this bill sets up a cesspool conversion loan program to make upgrades more affordable. It comes down to this.

We can set all the deadlines we want, but if we don't help people get there, it's not gonna happen. Colleagues, please vote Aye on this bill. Mahalo.

Thank you. Senator Fevella.

Thank you, Senate President. I stand in opposition.

Please proceed.

This is gonna cause a hardship, not only for my community, but for a lot of communities. I know they're saying that they're gonna convert it to a septic tank, but we was told by the city and county of Honolulu in my district where we have a lot of families that put septic tanks 60 to $70,000 that that could be accepted.

They'll still have to tie into the sewer right now my water bill is $100 maybe a little bit more sewer fees is $385. People in my district is aging. They're not gonna be able to get any grants or any loans to do this.

And, again, when we had passed this bill, it was prematurely they should have looked into it more of on how we was gonna get it and how it's gonna get it done before passing something, again, that we're not gonna be able to accomplish because of financing and,

again, the situation of not having alternative besides tying into a sewer system that is already overflowing in Hanaouliuli. Thank you, Senator President.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations, Senator Richards, Lomasao, DeCoite.

Any no votes? No votes, Senator DeCoite and Fevella.

23 Ayes, 2 Noes.

Thank you. HB 1618 HD1 SD1 passes. Third reading.

Third reading of House Bill's 2567 Senate Draft 1 relating to education.

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

Reservations for Senator Elefante. Do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations, Senator Keohokalole, Lomasao, Fukunaga, Fevella, Elefante.

Any no votes?

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 2567 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Third reading of House Bill 1716 Senate Draft 1 relating to elections.

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

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 1716 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Third reading of House Bill 1800 Senate Draft 1 relating to the state budget.

Is there any discussion? Senator Dela Cruz.

Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanna thank you and the Vice President, the Majority Leader, and the entire Senate leadership for their support and assistance in crafting this budget. I especially like to thank the subject matter committee chairs for their leadership as we address complex statewide issues.

And of course, the Vice Chair, Senator Moriwaki. Finally, thank you to the, governor and his administration for working diligently with the Ways and Means committee.

And colleagues, I urge you to support this measure because the Senate's tax proposal puts more money in the hands of Hawaii's working families. The Senate's budget redirects underutilized funds to pay for this tax relief, and the Senate's financial plan prioritizes stability for our residents to address the high cost of living.

We are putting money in the hands of Hawaii's working families. The goal of the Senate's tax plan is simple: keep more money in the hands of the people who earn it.

Under our current system, a significant share of these what these families earn is taken out of their paychecks and taxes before it ever reaches their bank accounts.

The Senate plan changes that in a meaningful and practical way by increasing the standard deduction and lowering tax brackets through 2031. This lowers the tax burden on working households every year, so they keep more of their own money throughout the year in every paycheck they receive.

Exact savings vary depending on household size and filing status, but these examples reflect what many working families can reasonably expect under the Senate plan starting in 2027.

For working household earning between 85,000 and 100,000 a year for example, a nurse, a teacher, a public safety worker, a plumber, the Senate plan means about $3,500 in tax savings in 2027 alone with that relief growing in later years.

And for a dual income Alice household earning around 100,000 to 120,000 such as two adults earning about 50,000 to 60,000, their annual savings continue to increase over time reaching high $3,000 range by 2030 and approaching or exceeding 4,000 by 2023 in comparison to tax rates in 2023.

This is not a one time credit at the end of the year. This is money staying in the paychecks of working families all year long. Money that helps cover rent or a mortgage, childcare costs, groceries, gas, and unexpected expenses that always seem to come up.

In Hawaii, tax credits that working families are eligible for often go underutilized resulting in lost opportunities due to to the complexity of the credits.

The Senate proposal allows working families to keep thousands of dollars more of their own money each year without having to pay to keep receipts, file additional tax forms, or hire a professional tax accountant.

This plan recognizes a simple reality. In Hawaii, Ally's families aren't looking for special special treatment. They're asking for a tax system that reflects the real cost of living and respects the work they do every day.

If you support this tax proposal, then you understand why this budget redirects underutilized government resources to put more money in the hands of our working families. The governor's proposed budget with governor's messages amount to $10,655,619,864.

The House budget goes up. It's now $10,698,536,208 but to pay for this tax relief we are proposing to reduce unspent funds by state agencies as averaged over the previous five years producing a cost savings of over 442,000,000. Actions like this brings the Senate draft to $10,441,628,830.

We're also eliminating positions that have been vacant for more than five years and positions that are not in active recruitment producing a cost savings of nearly 20,000,000.

And we're shifting authorities and corporations back to the non general funds producing a cost savings of over 39,000,000.

This movement is made possible by the consolidation of administrative services, creating economies of scale and deploying the strengths of each agency throughout the department. Although these cost saving strategies in the budget redirect over 300,000,000 of underutilized

government funds back into the hands of our working families or altogether. With changes to federal funding policies that impact programs like SNAP and Medicaid plus global conflict that increase the cost of living, delivering our promise for tax relief is more important now more than ever.

For SNAP and Medicaid, federal policy changes effective effectively eliminate program benefits for certain households and shifts administrative costs to the state. That's why this budget includes over 200,000,000 to help maintain these critical safety net programs including over 100,000,000 in general funds.

In March, the Kona low weather events caused significant damages throughout the state. In a letter from our congressional delegation requesting presidential disaster declaration, damages are estimated at over $1 billion. That is why this budget also includes an

additional 50,000,000 deposit into the major disaster fund to support immediate recovery costs. This $50,000,000 is in addition to the 175,000,000 that we are setting aside for fiscal current for the current fiscal year in House Bill 2,275.

With national and global instability, we must deliver on our promise for tax relief for our working families. Again, I wanna thank the subject matter chairs and the WAM members, the vice chair for crafting the CIP budget, the administration for collaboration and identifying underutilized funds to help continue the quote green affordability plan passed by the legislature in 2024.

I urge you to support this budget because the Senate tax proposals put more money in the hands of working families. The Senate budget redirects underutilized funds to pay for this tax relief. And the Senate's financial plan prioritizes stability for our residents to address the high cost of living. Mr. President, with your approval, I'd also like to insert written remarks into the journal.

And, if I may be permitted, a late introduction.

So ordered.

Okay. Filling up one section of the gallery, so please proceed.

Okay. I'd just like to thank, the Ways and Means staff for all their hard work in crafting the tax proposals and the the budget bill. Committee clerk Scott Fuji and Bill's team with Bill's chief David Cho, researchers Fabian Rapiscio, Jeremy Brown, and Joshua Newman,

legislative assistants Wendy Kikuno, and Aaliyah Orpila, and our budget chief, Colin Perros, and budget analysts, Kirsten Hernandez, Christy Castillo, Mary Tony Cabotage, and Edrick Kim. Also, I wanna acknowledge CIP specialist Joe Kopschey and our intern, Juwon Lyons.

On the district side, office manager, Dot Fujinaga, legislative aide Trey Miller and Diego Ortiz, and intern, Arian Joy Morbibi.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Senator Moriwaki.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support.

Please proceed.

The appropriations included in this budget for both operating capital improvements demonstrate the Senate's strong commitment to our residents. I would like to take this moment also to join, Chair Dela Cruz to thank my colleagues, you, and especially the Ways and Means Chair, Dela Cruz, and for his leadership in crafting the fiscally prudent budget and financial plan for the state.

I saw also wanna join him in thanking all of the CIP staff who tirelessly worked on this budget. The CIP budget makes strong investments in our communities.

The Senate budget funds the following priorities, 122,100,000 for affordable housing and infrastructure projects statewide, almost 200,000,000 for healthcare including new outpatient facilities, state medical center repairs, and related infrastructure upgrades.

768,400,000 for education including department of education building improvements, repair and maintenance, and new schools and facilities. 126,200,000 to improve and modernize the University of Hawaii facilities statewide.

Mahalo to all of you as we work together on projects important to each of our districts statewide. Many decisions will remain as we head into conference, but the budget created thus far will serve the state well. Colleagues, I also ask you to vote yes on HB 1800.

77.4, for food security purchasing and improving and securing our agricultural lands. 77,400,000 for projects that will improve public safety statewide, and 120,400,000 for projects that will improve the safety of our highways, harbors, and airports.

Mahalo.

Thank you. Further discussion, Senator Fevella.

Thank you, Senate president. I stand in strong support.

Please proceed.

Also thank the WAM Chair and the Vice Chair and their staff because we know the complexity of this this whole budget and, you know, working with Senator Dela Cruz and Senator Moriwaki, learning the process of the budget.

I didn't understand a lot of stuff when we was talking about the tax breaks for 150,000 and all this kind of stuff because I was thinking, wow. I wanna make 72,000. What are you talking about?

But the complexity of Senator Dela Cruz explaining to me what that meant for my community and members in my community and how much is gonna put more money back into their check, I really understood that.

And I just thank him a lot for taking the time to educate me when we're coming to the budget. And, again, I stand in strong support. Thank you, Senator.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator Kanuha.

Thank you, Mr. President. I also stand in support.

Please proceed.

Also wanna thank the Chair of Ways and Means and the Vice Chair of Ways and Means on their hard work and due diligence of the state budget and, of course, their staff, their hardworking staff that are here early mornings and late at night. Really appreciate

Weekends as well.

And weekends. Appreciate all their hard work. I do have written remarks that I would like to enter into the journal in support of this. And hope my colleagues can also support the city budget. Thank you.

So honored on the request for written remarks. Further discussion, Senator San Buenaventura.

Thank you, Senate President. I also stand in strong support of HBH.

Please proceed.

And I really want to thank the Chair of Ways and Means, Vice Chair of Ways and Means, and their hardworking staff for allowing us to keep our promise of tax cuts. Now more than ever, when we're looking at double digit inflation, having our families being able to fill their gas tanks with gas so that they can go to work is needed now more than ever. And I know that there was a lot of pressure on them from the governor telling us to pause these tax cuts.

But and I do appreciate the fact that we realized that the WAM Chair and the WAM staff realized that now more than ever, our families need it, especially since more and more of them are falling into Alice category. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion? Senator McKelvey.

Thank you, Mr. President. In strong support

Please proceed.

And would like the words of my Chair from health and human services entered in the record as if they were my own.

So honored for the discussion. If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no votes?

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 1800 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3733 , third reading of House Bill 1870 Senate Draft 1 relating to protected community location.

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

Okay. 23 Ayes, 2 Noes.

Thank you. HB 1870 HD2 SD1 passes third reading.

On page 26, Standing Committee Report number 3734, third reading of House Bill 1588 Senate Draft 1 relating to the Department of Transportation.

Is there any discussion? Senator Keohokalole.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to register my opposition to this bill, and I'd like to briefly speak about why I think it's a slippery slope and we shouldn't do it.

Please proceed.

Thank you. This bill proposes a statewide surveillance framework to implement, among other things, county ordinances. It builds a monitoring infrastructure. I know it's just noise cameras but it builds monitoring infrastructure that could eventually be expanded and repurposed.

And that's especially concerning in the moment we're in as AI becomes more integrated into every aspect of government operation and every aspect of our lives.

So, I just again, I think it takes us down a slippery slope in a scary moment. Mr. President, who here believes that data that's captured by the government and eventually potentially fed into AI will ever be erased?

And will never be co opted in some other form for some other purpose. This risk is not theoretical. We are already seeing AI used in federal surveillance, especially in immigration enforcement.

And in February State and County law enforcement announced the use of drone surveillance in Waikiki during busy tourist periods, festivals, and large events because these are large events where public safety is a concern.

But that drone program includes live streamed video that can be used to establish probable cause for arrest. So noise is a legitimate concern. I acknowledge that. I get complaints all the time from constituents in my community.

But this program lowers the bar for the collection of statewide surveillance data of citizens. This is not speed cameras in dangerous areas where traffic fatalities are common. This is not for public safety during large events.

This is widespread persistent monitoring that raises serious Fourth Amendment concerns around our individual right to privacy and unreasonable searches by the government. I've voiced concern about the direction we're going on this in the past.

And I don't like it. And I'm rising in opposition, and I'd just like to note that for the record. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservation Senator Richards and Senator DeCoite, McKelvey, Kidani.

No votes? No votes Senator Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, San Buenaventura, and Keohokalole.

20 Ayes, 5 Noes.

Thank you. HB 1588 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3736, third reading of House Bill 2386, Senate Draft 2, relating to water carriers.

Is there any discussion? Senator DeCoite.

You, Mr. President. Would reservations permission to insert comments to the journal?

S ordered. Any further discussion. If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservations Senator DeCoite, Senator McKelvey, San Buenaventura, Richards. Any no votes?

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 2386 HD2 SD2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3738, third reading of House Bill 2361, Senate Draft 1, relating to the Kaneohepe Regional Council.

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

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 2361 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3741, third reading of House Bill 1643, Senate Draft 2 relating to pharmacy.

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

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 1643 HD2 SD2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3742, third reading of House Bill 1682 Senate Draft 2, relating to the disclosure of intimate images.

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

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB 1682 HD2 SD2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3743, third reading of House Bill 1692 Senate Draft 2 relating to traffic safety.

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. HB 1692 HD2 SD2 passes third reading.

On page 27, Standing Committee Report number 3746, third reading of House Bill 1667 Senate Draft 1 relating to civil identification.

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. HB 1667 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3753, third reading of House bill 1961, Senate Draft 1 relating to health care.

Is there any discussion? Senator Fevella.

Thank you, Senate President. I stand in strong opposition.

Please proceed.

This bill that is talking about health care facilities is actually camouflaged for the facility of Planned Parenthood. When I had asked Planned Parenthood how much of these facilities were had caused the demonstration of people outside the facility, not in the facility, outside of the facility, that ever stop someone from getting health care? The answer was they don't know.

So again, why are we having a bill to prevent this kind of freedom of speech to go ahead and demonstrate their opposition to things that we all do time and time again, Mauna Kea, windmills, yeah, all of these things.

Where are we gonna stop going forward and making these kinds of bills to protect a small amount of facilities that is grumbling because they don't want somebody standing outside of their facilities with one sign that they're against abortion.

So again, colleagues, this is another bill that is the camouflage. They didn't use it, but the biggest support of this bill is planned parenthood. So again, we are making an infraction, making people be criminals by demonstrating their freedom of speech and a likelihood to protest.

So again, colleagues, I ask you guys to vote no on this bill. Thank you, Senate President.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Any no vote?

No vote, Senator Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, Gabbard.

21 Ayes, 4 Noes.

Thank you. HB 1961 HD2 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3755, third reading of House Bill 1897 Senate Draft 1 relating to condominium alternative dispute resolution.

Is there any discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Reservation Senator Elefante, any no votes? No votes Senators Fukunaga and Richards, Kim.

22 Ayes, 3 Noes.

Thank you. HB 1897 HD1 SD1 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3762, third reading of House Bill 963 Senate Draft 2 relating to crimes against elders.

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

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB963 HD2 SD2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3766, third reading of House Bill 1334 Senate Draft 2, relating to meat donation.

Is there any discussion? Senator Richards.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support with reservations on this measure.

Please proceed.

Thank you. We have an overpopulation of deer in this state. We also have overpopulation of mouflon sheep, and goats. I don't disagree that this is a great source of protein for our population. My concern arises from the donation of this being uninspected meat, and my concern is the human health on on the uninspected protein.

We have a slaughter process in our state that keeps our food supply safe. And though I can support this with the concept, I think we have to think about the problems that we could have if we have adulterated meat. And I'm concerned about the liability of that, and maybe there's a way we can use technology to mitigate some of that. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Further discussion? If not, do we have unanimous consent? Any reservations? Senator Richards, Elefante, Inouye, DeCoite, and Kidani. Any no votes?

25 Ayes.

Thank you. HB1334 HD3 SD2 passes third reading.

On page 28, Standing Committee Report number 3767, third reading of House Bill 1710, Senate Draft 2 relating to historic preservation.

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

25 ayes.

Thank you. HB 1710 HD2 SD2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3774, third reading of House Bill 2062 Senate Draft 2 relating to gun violence prevention.

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. HB 2062 HD1 SD2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee Report number 3775, third reading of House Bill 463 Senate Draft 2 relating to eviction records.

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. HB 463 HD3 SD2 passes third reading.

Standing Committee rRport number 3776, third reading of House Bill 1839 Senate Draft 2 relating to immigration.

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

Thank you, Senate President. I stand in opposition of HB 1839 HD2 SD2.

Please proceed.

This morning, colleagues, I wasn't gonna speak on this bill. Only reason why is I know I support the Filipino caucus, but in my community, there's a mixed feeling about this bill because, again, we have a lot of people in my community that came to Hawaii.