Finance Committee passes HB 410, HD1 out unamended

The House Committee on Finance on the motion to advance House Bill 410, HD1 voted to pass the measure out of committee unamended.

The bill drew written testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kahuku Medical Center and a local foundation, and several individuals; no witnesses were recorded in the room to testify in favor and no public opposition was recorded during the hearing. Committee leadership called for questions and moved on without extended discussion prior to decision making.

Why it matters: Advancing a bill out of the finance committee is a required step before it proceeds to further House action or to conference with the Senate. The committee’s action kept the bill on the legislative path without committee-level amendments.

Committee discussion and testimony were brief. The committee chair announced the decision to pass HB 410, HD1 and described that the bill “already has a defecting effective date,” and that it would be passed out unamended. Members recorded aye votes and two members were noted as excused when the roll call was read.

Votes at a glance: The roll call recorded during the decision-making phase listed the following responses: Chair Yamashita and Vice Chair Takanuchi voted aye; Representatives Grandinetti, Holt, Keohokapu Li Loy, Kitagawa, Kush, Lamasau, Miyake, Morikawa, Alcos and Reyes Oda recorded aye votes. Representatives Hussey and Ward were recorded as excused. The committee announced the recommendation as adopted.

Next steps: With the committee recommendation to pass HB 410, HD1 unamended, the bill will proceed according to the House rules and any scheduling set by chamber leadership.