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House adopts standing committee reports 55–150, moves accompanying bills to second reading; several members register reservations
Summary
The House approved standing committee reports 55 through 150 by voice vote, advancing the accompanying bills to second reading and referral. Members recorded multiple reservations on individual reports; the chamber also ruled no conflict for a member whose relative serves on the Office of Wine Affairs board.
Representative Todd moved on the House floor to adopt standing committee reports numbers 55 through 150 "as listed on pages 1 through 25" and that the accompanying house bills, "as may be amended, pass second reading and be referred to their designated committees." Representative Morikawa seconded the motion.
The House approved the motion by voice vote. A clerk announced earlier that "48 members are present. 3 are excused." The motion to adopt the listed standing committee reports was carried after the voice vote.
Why it matters: adopting committee reports advances scores of bills to the chamber's second reading and sends them to the committees designated for further consideration, moving a large block of pending legislation forward in the House process.
Members logged formal reservations and individual objections on many of the listed committee reports during the floor discussion. Representative Balotti recorded a detailed reservation on a health-insurance-related measure, citing testimony from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs insurance commissioner that it was "unclear whether the amendments in sections 1 through 3 of this bill . . . would be construed as, quote, in addition to the essential health benefits within the meaning of 45 CFR 155.017a, or subject to defrayement provisions under 45 CFR 155.170 subsection (b), which apply to benefits, quote, in addition to the essential health benefits." Balotti said that uncertainty, and "the intersection with our Prepaid Health Care Act and with the federal Affordable Care Act," means legislators must "tread softly" on additional state insurance mandates.
Representative Souza asked the chair for a ruling on a potential conflict involving a bill that would appropriate funds to create a native wine business marketing program. Souza said her "brother is a vice chair of the board of trustees of the Office of Wine Affairs," and sought guidance. The chair ruled that "the conflict of interest rules would not raise a conflict here," and that ruling remained in effect for the remainder of the session.
Representative Keeler raised concerns while registering reservations on a landfill-related committee report, saying she supports the concept of prohibiting landfill construction and use over aquifers but warned that adopting such a measure "could play into the extension of the Waimanaha landfill that exists currently in Nanakuli." Keeler also said the current mayor of Honolulu "has said time and time again that he will not support the extension of a landfill on the communities of West Oahu."
After the committee-report vote, Representative Morikawa moved to adjourn the House until 12 noon the following day; Representative Garcia seconded the motion, which was carried by voice vote.
The record shows numerous other brief reservations and "no vote" requests recorded on individual standing committee reports across items 55–150; those reservations are entered in the House record or journal as requested by members.
