House adopts bundle of standing committee reports covering dozens of bills

Madam Speaker and members of the Hawaii House of Representatives adopted an omnibus motion Monday to advance a large block of standing committee reports and the accompanying bills. Representative Todd moved “to adopt standing committee report numbers 632 through 794 … and that the accompanying house bills, as may be amended, pass second reading and/or be referred to their designated committees.” Representative Morikawa seconded the motion.

The motion bundled dozens of committee reports and related bills so the chamber could move them forward collectively. The House completed roll call attendance earlier in the session and then heard brief debate on several individual reports before taking the omnibus action.

Why it matters: bundling committee reports is a common legislative practice to move multiple measures efficiently. Several items within the bundle drew floor comments from members — on topics that include hotel single‑use plastics, transient accommodations tax rules for reward‑booked rooms, homelessness village funding, and professional licensure for midwives — indicating further debate or refinement may continue in committee or on the floor.

Members’ comments on select measures

- Standing committee report 664 (hotel single‑use plastics): Representative Pirrick spoke in opposition, arguing markets should decide hotel purchasing practices and that hotels choosing bulk dispensers should be allowed to do so. Representative Tam and others spoke in support, saying hotels that already moved to reusable containers have found it cost efficient and that opposition testimony was limited. The floor exchange centered on cost and industry practice rather than a recorded roll‑call vote for the single bill.

- Senate committee report 669 (minimum transient accommodations tax for points/miles bookings): Representative Tam clarified the measure applies to bookings made with points, miles or rewards and would establish a minimum $20 TAT charge per night for rooms that otherwise would generate little or no TAT revenue. Several members expressed either support or reservations about the size of the increase and its potential effect on tourism.

- Standing committee report 765 (kohale/homeless housing proposals): Representatives debated a request for state funding and program definitions for kohale (described by proponents as village‑style housing with services). Opponents raised concerns about program scope and use of funds; supporters emphasized services aimed at helping residents move toward employment and independence and pressed for even geographic distribution of projects.

- Standing committee report 794 (midwife licensure and related exemptions): The chamber heard extended discussion on a measure to create a professional licensure pathway for midwives while exempting traditional native Hawaiian practitioners. Supporters described the measure as expanding safe, licensed options for birthing; opponents raised concerns about religious and cultural birth practices. After floor debate, the House called and carried a voice vote on the set of measures that included this committee report.

Votes at a glance

- Omnibus motion: Adopt standing committee report numbers 632–794 and advance accompanying bills — Motion moved by Representative Todd, seconded by Representative Morikawa; outcome: motion carried (voice vote indicated later in the session as “The motion is carried”). - SCR 664 (hotel single‑use plastics): Discussed on the floor; comments recorded for and against; included in omnibus adoption (no separate recorded roll‑call in the transcript). - SCR 669 (TAT minimum for points/miles bookings): Clarified on the floor as applying to rewards/points bookings and a $20 minimum per night; included in omnibus adoption. - SCR 765 (kohale homeless housing funding/program): Lengthy floor debate on scope and $50,000,000 funding requests referenced in testimony; included in omnibus adoption. - SCR 794 (midwife licensure/scope): Extended debate; voice vote on related measures was called and recorded as carried.

What’s next: The omnibus adoption advances the listed bills to second reading or to referral as noted in each committee report. Several members entered reservations or requested to insert written comments into the record on particular reports; those comments will appear in the House journal and may shape amendments as bills move forward.