House approves slate of committee reports after debate on Native Hawaiian districts, gambling, public-financing and legislative budget

The House of Representatives on Monday adopted a large package of standing committee reports and advanced several bills to second and third reading while members aired concerns about Native Hawaiian district designations, proposals that could allow gambling, partial public campaign financing and a funding bill that covers House operating expenses.

Lawmakers moved to adopt standing committee reports numbers 151 through 181 and referred the accompanying bills to designated committees; Representative Todd made the motion and Representative Morikawa seconded. After discussion, the motion was carried by voice vote.

The motion to adopt standing committee report number 182 — to place the accompanying House bill as amended on the calendar for third reading — was also moved by Representative Todd and seconded by Representative Morikawa, and carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: several bills bundled in the committee-report motions drew substantive floor remarks that illuminate member concerns and possible next steps even though the measures were advanced without recorded roll-call tallies during the voice votes.

Representative Souza spoke at length about a measure that would identify legislative districts in which at least 25% of the population consists of Native Hawaiians, saying she had “reservations” and would vote with reservations. Souza said she supports action for Native Hawaiians but questioned the purpose and mechanics of the proposed designation, asking, “Why 25%?” and whether the proposal distinguishes between “Hawaiians or native Hawaiians.” She said she preferred substantive resources over recognition, naming the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and saying, “I want OHA to get its proper pro rata share of ceded lands, and I want action. I don't want more recognition for Hawaiians.”

A separate measure tied to standing committee report number 169 prompted floor remarks opposing what one lawmaker described as a bill that “to some extent, would allow for gambling in our state.” The speaker said Hawaii is one of two states that do not allow gambling and urged keeping it that way, warning that gambling can be a “vice” that harms families and communities. The remarks were offered as part of that committee-report discussion before the omnibus voice vote.

Floor debate also touched on a bill to expand partial public financing of elections. Representative Pierrick said he would vote no, arguing that mandatory public financing would use taxpayer dollars to fund campaigns and that it was preferable to increase voter participation rather than require tax-funded campaign support. Representative Bellotti spoke in strong support, saying partial public financing can reduce the influence of corporate money and help restore voter confidence: “With voters' confidence and trust at an all-time low because we know the influence of money on politics, this is a part of the solution.” Representative Souza expressed support and inserted another member’s words into the record.

Members also debated a bill that funds the operating expenses of the legislature, including appropriations for the auditor, legislative reference bureau (LRB), the ombudsman, the ethics commission and partisan research offices. Representative Souza opposed that measure on principle, citing what she described as unequal access to partisan research offices: she said some members are denied use of the House Majority or Minority Research offices unless they participate in the respective caucus. Souza said the bill “helps to fund the partisan research offices of the house” and described an inequity in access that she called “an injustice to my constituents,” noting she relies on the Legislative Reference Bureau instead.

Votes at a glance: the motions to adopt the listed standing committee reports and to move specified bills to next reading stages were carried by voice votes; the proceedings recorded the motions and that each motion was carried, but did not record roll-call tallies for those omnibus approvals.

Looking ahead: the House chair reminded members of a triple-referral filing deadline at 6 p.m. for committee reports when bills move between multiple committees. The House adjourned to convene at noon the following day.