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Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs committee advances several bills; votes and deferrals recorded
Summary
On Feb. 25 the committee advanced multiple measures, deferred several for further drafting or outreach, and adopted attorney‑general or agency amendments on some bills. The committee also took testimony on a range of public‑safety, consumer‑protection and regulatory matters.
The House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs held a multi‑item hearing on Feb. 25 and recorded committee action on several bills after testimony from state agencies, advocates and industry representatives.
Key actions taken during decision making (committee roll-call recorded in the hearing):
- HB 712 (relating to 340B drug pricing) — Advanced with the Attorney General's clarifying draft and technical edits. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 4 excused. - HB 1482 (controlled substances / hemp processors) — Advanced as is; committee encouraged further work from testifiers who proposed additional enumerated compounds. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 4 excused. - HB 470 (noise / leaf blowers and similar equipment) — Deferred for additional work; DOH raised enforceability and standard concerns. - HB 320 (supported decision-making agreements) — Advanced with conforming AG amendments and a relocation of the vulnerable‑adult definition into section 1. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 4 excused. - HB 239 (child abuse/neglect financial-resources clarification) — Advanced as is; DHS will follow up on implementation/service-access concerns. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 4 excused. - HB 918 (labeling requirements for pre‑moistened wipes) — Advanced with Department of Health amendments incorporated. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 4 excused. - HB 1277 (digital financial asset / crypto kiosks) — Advanced with DCCA amendments to address enforcement practicality. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 4 excused. - HB 106 (condominium fines authority) — Deferred; committee will consider Senate Bill 147 as an alternative vehicle. - HB 70 (budget summaries for condominiums) — Advanced as is. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 4 excused. - HB 137 (mandatory terms for felons in possession of firearms) — Advanced with amendment suggested by the public defender to narrow scope to violent felony priors; committee adopted the change. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 4 excused. - HB 111 (civil claims for trafficking/exploitation) — Advanced with a clean date. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 4 excused. - HB 1175 (procedure for tax appeals) — Advanced as is with a clean date. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 4 excused. - HB 403 (Sunshine Law / attendance at informational meetings) — Deferred; Office of Information Practices objected to amendments that would broaden permitted interactions without reporting requirements.
Committee chair David Tarnas repeatedly directed staff to incorporate agency and attorney‑general technical language where recommended and to consult with relevant chairpersons and agencies before bringing deferred measures back for decision.
The committee’s roll‑call record, as read into the record by the chair during decision making, shows the following members voted "aye": Chair David Tarnas; Vice Chair Poipoi; Representatives Bellotti, Hashem, Peruso, Takayama and Todd. Representatives Cochran, Kahalua, Garcia and Shimizu were recorded as excused for the roll calls on these measures.
The committee adjourned after completing decision making and instructed staff to prepare amended drafts and follow‑up materials noted during the hearing.
