[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6123736,"mediaKeyId","2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788","parentId",2688604,"title","Senate committees rewrite HB 427 to fold in SB 1100: rename HDOA and add biosecurity authority, facilities, and funding requests","audioSeconds",839,"startMs",3966000,"endMs",4805000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788&start=3966&end=4805","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788/thumbnail_3966000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6123736/Hawaii/Senate-committees-rewrite-HB-427-to-fold-in-SB-1100-rename-HDOA-and-add-biosecurity-authority-facilities-and-funding-requests","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123736-e84989795baebb9b4f825ea3eaf94beb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770401375&Signature=HI6ZhStsgxM33Cl133uCc03NxreJFGAN7gJOlDEnYJNb9yT9zBaEg9L~tDbcIIJEwxHQ483NO~dIXXYO0FLXhlul7F1DcY67AWHzIkUId06KsuyRVTi87o1JKzKM61fVk~Cce-klf4X3bay7Y8cf-SBBb7X~rBcWfuoHhVJxlHxf3fDvf95JBIdduQr05DnXiDWZErj3qUmUVySV6UHw4E5vUYCTnktPR7TI3frn4SkZW7-kvzBoKd4Tuc-Go1wKYkWQbpWKFld3SHA3Nz-mKTnoPgStT8eg88snfb1pXvK0rLdssvuOxF4m5DNglpMglMUSRPM4e91aDLJThxq1tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection","date","2025-03-19T08:58:02Z","article","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, together with Agriculture, Environment, and Transportation committees, moved to substantially amend House Bill 427, House Draft 2, by inserting the contents of SB 1100, SD2. The revised package renames the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, renames the Board of Agriculture accordingly, establishes a deputy director of biosecurity, and authorizes a biosecurity emergency declaration with specified powers to prevent establishment or spread of pests and restricted organisms.

Committee chairs recommended three principal actions: (1) replace HB 427 HD2 contents with SB 1100 SD2; (2) insert general fund appropriations (blank amounts in the hearing record) for construction at the Halawa bird/biological quarantine station and the Halawa animal industry facility; and (3) adopt language proposed by the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) during the SB 1100 hearings. Chairs and several testifying organizations (Hawaii Invasive Species Council, CGAPS, Hawaii Farm Bureau) expressed support for elevating biosecurity and broadening board membership qualifications to include biosecurity expertise.

Witnesses urged stronger statutory quarantine authority to allow the department to act quickly (for example, quarantines at resorts, apartment complexes, and other sites not covered by current administrative rules) and recommended that two board members possess biosecurity expertise. CGAPS asked the committees to restore quarantine authority the department had suggested removing; the department had argued the authority was duplicative of its administrative rules, but CGAPS noted the statutory gap where administrative rules only apply to locations that sell directly to the public.

Committee discussion also covered operational questions (land transfers, use of existing lessees for invasive species management, and hiring challenges). Committee members asked DLNR and HDOA to follow up on transfers of lands and to provide status updates on the 44 positions authorized previously for biosecurity work (Act 231) and recruitment/filling difficulties.

The committees voted to pass the measure with amendments that incorporate SB 1100 SD2 content, request appropriations for Halawa facilities, and adopt CGAPS-recommended language. Chairs also suggested including a committee-report note that biosecurity may need to be elevated further, potentially to cabinet level.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","PSM-CPN, CPN-HOU, AEN-TCA-CPN, EDU-CPN Public Hearings 03-18-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate committees substantially amended HB 427 to fold in SB 1100 SD2, renaming the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and seeking funding and authority to strengthen biosecurity capacity in Hawaii.","taxTitle","Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, Senate, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25726,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123740,"Senate committees adopt tenant-rights language for redevelopment projects after extended testimony from Kalihi tenants and advocates",2224,1648000,3872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788&start=1648&end=3872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788/thumbnail_1648000.jpg","/articles/6123740/Hawaii/Senate-committees-adopt-tenant-rights-language-for-redevelopment-projects-after-extended-testimony-from-Kalihi-tenants-and-advocates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123740-144c8e0b18e48acd4ba35a1590b32b15/orig.mp4?Expires=1770401375&Signature=TU4BktrUvSGjNS~uk-gTkbaMS8RsuD7ZnRSZDwiJMq0xG4EBGQKBi~uPELH58hp~TkvuPlI9FCfXZX1gM9Y6VVYuJhmmFceyiYAQnqO4Hn3IKz-bxf9m19z7Fn-bdIGrpKGsRfTFN6unEd7zjlovtM1f2~t~6-3c7jvQe2-VNZz-loDKe4SrgiavtbGBS2pV3EHICmKQMVniBRhJhemojla1dXGXnF6ak4AYBF4G2WfUyow3kuR6TwSRUCiaZvF9xtM39IYpONHGG~uEJG7z9gTPdU3EFE7WvSt~jQ3eDFAswRqFlouKdnXN2CzTGxsg0uvNr-a-sTy2ewRKwgjd8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and the Housing Committee heard extended testimony on House Bill 1325, House Draft 3, a bill that would require developers of affordable housing projects using Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) financing and similar programs to provide displaced tenants with relocation assistance and a right of first refusal to return to a comparable unit in the replacement project, and to establish procedures and enforcement for developer noncompliance.

Community organizations — including the Medical-Legal Partnership for Children in Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Kokua Kalihi Valley (KKV), Hawaii Workers Center, and tenant speakers from Kuhio Park Terrace (KPT) — provided detailed testimony describing past relocation failures, accessibility problems for tenants with disabilities, and the stress and displacement experienced by families during redevelopment. Medical-Legal Partnership emphasized the bill’s role in “plugging” enforcement gaps where layered financing (federal demolition, low-income housing tax credits, HHFDC) left tenants without clear state-level enforcement. KKV and other community witnesses pressed for the maximum protections, including both relocation assistance and a right to return.

HHFDC testified in support of the bill and proposed an amendment the committees accepted in part: require both relocation assistance and a right of first refusal for returning tenants in the new project, but without requiring the returning tenant’s rent to be the same dollar amount as the prior unit. The committees also adopted technical, non-substantive amendments and agreed to incorporate language recommended by HHFDC and some elements supported by CGAPS and other stakeholders.

Tenants from KPT described being offered units they said were inaccessible, small, or located far from schools and medical providers; one tenant said moves caused family members to travel long distances and lose a sense of community. HPHA and project representatives discussed the complexity of layered financing, tenant protection vouchers, and the intention to return tenants to renovated units, while tenant advocates and residents urged stronger state enforcement to ensure right-to-return promises are honored.

Committee chairs recorded that the committees would adopt amendments to require both relocation assistance and a right of first refusal (with the caveat that the returning unit’s rent need not be identical to the prior rate). CPN members recorded votes in favor and the measure was adopted with amendments. The committees noted concerns from NAIOS (a developer/industry group) and included those concerns in the committee report. Several tenants said they supported the bill; community groups urged the legislature to preserve rights to return and add enforcement mechanisms.

The hearing record includes requests to consider how layered financing rules intersect with state law and notes that federal programs may not by themselves require a right to return; the bill is intended to create state-level enforcement where federal financing rules fall short.","After hours of public testimony from tenants and community groups about displacement during public-housing redevelopment, Senate committees advanced HB 1325, HD3, adopting amendments to require relocation assistance and a right of first refusal for tenants displaced by HHFDC-funded projects.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123743,"Senate committees back shorter storage period for public housing evictees; HPHA cites unit turnaround and lack of storage",2451,1241000,3692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788&start=1241&end=3692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788/thumbnail_1241000.jpg","/articles/6123743/Hawaii/Senate-committees-back-shorter-storage-period-for-public-housing-evictees-HPHA-cites-unit-turnaround-and-lack-of-storage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123743-8549ddec2ebdd72a4e572719be34deeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770401375&Signature=Wmn31o3-OVvni7A-EqdfSSstlBnSAe3efnH~VBocMJyzKZORqDPg8Z7HcAI841ecocD5VubYkiU6WdxQghoznMfN9PZ-YhC6gBZVUfnOjVmbMtMvJ1UfjknH697iMCbLNACvIEqx-Tbo2-ggtvINJPaN-DQSjiPpQxC8LtUC5Zbdipbxe~nb0xDU8LRmKW0A8ea~OMcw501CZN8xVmVvzHDNUfwmTKzO9AqKXpoNJQ6TMKmsk5jf355ZOVXo0OUAMhY4tvFVhpymCppoEXzt1WFzevY9c3N6Uc1THsDySTEZPEwgbkXlJFncTmsiQ5B27QdmN5o3yHcV~s0lEXNkgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, jointly with the Housing Committee, voted to pass House Bill 1097, House Draft 1, which reduces the period the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) must store unclean personal effects of tenants evicted from public housing.

HPHA representatives told the committees that long storage periods keep units idle while wait-listed families await turnover and that HPHA lacks a dedicated storage facility and funding to retain items left behind. In testimony they said much of what is left after eviction is “rubbish” and that prolonged storage creates health and logistical problems. HPHA also emphasized the lengthy administrative process before eviction (including grievance processes) and noted expedited exceptions in cases such as domestic violence.

Senator Fevella questioned whether shortening storage from 30 days to 14 days would push more households into homelessness; the HPHA representative responded that the rental and eviction process for non-violent matters can take many months, and the agency’s primary motivation is to return vacant units to occupancy sooner. When asked about the size of HPHA’s wait list, the agency said it stops open enrollment at about 10,000 applicants, runs a lottery, and keeps roughly 1,500–2,000 families on the active wait list to aim to serve applicants within three to four years; approximately 400–500 units become available each year.

Committee members recorded reservations and asked for more data. One senator said they would support a default 30-day storage period with special conditions that allow moving to 14 days in specific cases. Despite reservations, the committee recorded a majority vote to pass with amendments and the measure was adopted by the committees present.

The hearing transcript records community concern about the potential for displacement and homelessness, and HPHA reiterated operational constraints (limited funding, federally funded properties, lack of storage facilities). The committee asked HPHA to provide updated data on eviction counts and positions filled when follow-up questions were requested.","Senators passed House Bill 1097, HD1, to shorten the time the Hawaii Public Housing Authority must store evicted tenants’ unclean personal effects, with HPHA arguing shorter storage makes units available sooner and avoids ongoing costs, while some senators raised concerns about impacts on people who may become unhoused.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123746,"Senate committee advances bill allowing digital IDs with conditions, substitutes deadlines",270,890000,1160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788&start=890&end=1160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788/thumbnail_890000.jpg","/articles/6123746/Hawaii/Senate-committee-advances-bill-allowing-digital-IDs-with-conditions-substitutes-deadlines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123746-1b7b3299939aeaa034791fc85b38263a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770401375&Signature=B9bpbfa5jmBU9lBZLqQjka5-o4dxIF5hzilZ~qPcRYsTvIxSPQdqfy4hlr98oSoxKNWqf6lFJKDHI7dp5ao3v1WXhLQv4EJqchjAUhtpOCJJ0RPtzBlVwbrXLkZjeXrjvTCelwfiTDwIaCHNlOYypAS25o1X-qzuG8JlEKRuZ73ya6eaK-xIVZ9Cjq3NQrSRPbBHtOL-PbjmOxFslmj~2g0boeLdTzhjJPPqRp7KCrIdhVvgQ-Y3xOFd6fS3ro9W3z5plEViVoDANt9Lv0N2WBGNh~cCBs-5ffhfuoB4MllSaeYuBKksxI7aQ~lbNvwmj7UIi3vdDPle9nfSgamHBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, sitting jointly with the Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee, voted to pass House Bill 472, House Draft 1, which would authorize state and county law enforcement agencies to accept digitalized identification cards as proof of identity under certain conditions.

The committee recommended amendments replacing the word “shall” with “may” on page 1, line 7; inserting an implementation date of July 1, 2027, on page 2, line 11; and adding a separate defective effective date of July 1, 2077. Acting Vice Chair Rhodes moved for the vote and the measure passed with the members present voting in the affirmative.

The bill’s sponsor language and supporting testimony were brief: the committee recorded one registered individual testifier in support (Jacob Weinstein) and noted Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen was not available to testify online. Committee members did not engage in extended debate on the policy details during the hearing. The recommendation was recorded as “passed with amendments” and the committee adopted the changes and advanced the measure.

The committee did not record additional details about technical specifications for digital ID systems, privacy safeguards, or limits on agency acceptance beyond the statutory text and the amendments adopted at the hearing.

The joint hearing was convened by Chair Keohokalole and chair Elefante yielded to the lead committee to handle decision making. The committees closed the joint session after the vote and adjourned.","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Public Safety voted to pass House Bill 472, House Draft 1, to allow digitalized identification under specified conditions and to adopt several amendments including changing mandatory language to permissive and inserting effective dates.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123731,"Senate committees back creating a credentialing work group for school psychologists; DOE supports bill",339,4981000,5320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788&start=4981&end=5320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688604-a81cbf49e5630a6f30e3f1ba8af0d788/thumbnail_4981000.jpg","/articles/6123731/Hawaii/Senate-committees-back-creating-a-credentialing-work-group-for-school-psychologists-DOE-supports-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123731-d844c00fd18a7e467f086104084efa2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770401375&Signature=NaOk9JbTyv2C0Q566JFtV42kgDJCUtz~3gtPBhrW0gtAMqtsCWQ1QBFIZAJEbTJeFxNXyVGO-~gmzZ3uoYppVVMkrHwr99I1VLNopvIRo2Ee9hKNTId67eT2sRuaVSybvDONnO-vQUlgAaMcvcrF-exwGHveM3guD48HcDMwjmgtGEHVWqMfDCYPN9FDXHs9l1TIPTqRpTXM6-VwfXtiGFdCv4YPX6xAzCfrYSeln3HykjNFjR9Gn-TFEMehiDaDTi7GHBs1xLSh~SOOveN-enI056G5ZC0hGsKEpI9STDdkABRpBxOnQT-DhSo1eQjsb8N46XgHwcAeGFyYm4oW4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and the Committee on Education voted to pass House Bill 624, House Draft 1, to establish a work group to evaluate credentialing for school psychologists in Hawaii.

The Department of Education told the committees it stands on its written testimony in support. Leslie Bonnick, legislative chair for the Hawaii Association of School Psychologists, said Hawaii is the last state without a credentialing pathway for school psychologists and described that absence as a consumer-protection gap for students and families. She noted that other mental-health professions in Hawaii are credentialed; credentialed school psychologists could also be eligible for school-based Medicaid claiming that supports mental-health services in schools, a point raised by testifying school psychologists.

A school psychologist from the Big Island, Alec Marentek, emphasized that credentialed school psychologists are eligible for reimbursement under school-based Medicaid claiming and noted other states’ regulatory arrangements where specialist-level school psychologists are regulated under psychology boards. The committees set a defective effective date of July 1, 2050, in their recommendation and recorded votes in favor of passing the measure with amendments.

CPN members voting in the joint session adopted the recommendation. Senators asked that future working group membership include relevant stakeholders such as the Hawaii Psychological Association and other licensure groups; one senator specifically requested adding the Hawaii Psychological Association to the working group in future consideration.","Senators voted to pass House Bill 624, HD1, to create a working group to study credentialing for school psychologists — a step toward establishing state credentialing for the profession. The Department of Education and the Hawaii Association of School Psychologists testified in support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committees rewrite HB 427 to fold in SB 1100: rename HDOA and add biosecurity authority, facilities, and funding requests

Senate committees adopt tenant-rights language for redevelopment projects after extended testimony from Kalihi tenants and advocates

Senate committees back shorter storage period for public housing evictees; HPHA cites unit turnaround and lack of storage

Senate committee advances bill allowing digital IDs with conditions, substitutes deadlines

Senate committees back creating a credentialing work group for school psychologists; DOE supports bill