Hawaii Senate gives 1-day notice for final reading on several bills; confirms nominees

The Hawaii State Senate, meeting in Honolulu, on an unspecified date moved to reconsider its prior actions and agreed to House amendments on several measures, giving one‑day notice for final reading and confirming multiple gubernatorial nominees.

Senators moved and the body, by unanimous consent where noted, carried motions to set amendments and give one‑day notice for final reading of bills including SB 1369 (relating to Title 24, Hawaii Revised Statutes), SB 1402 (relating to vessels in state commercial harbors) and SB 1411 (relating to Medicaid third‑party liability). The senate also adopted standing committee reports and House concurrent resolutions referenced in the day’s materials, and confirmed nominees transmitted in governor’s messages by an announced vote of 25 ayes.

Why it matters: giving one‑day notice advances bills to final reading on the Senate floor, moving them closer to possible enactment. Confirmations fill appointed positions and allow agencies and advisory bodies to proceed with their duties.

Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, who moved the motion on SB 1369, said, “After reviewing the house amendments, we find them acceptable, and I recommend, ask my colleagues to support the changes.” Senator Kurt Fevella (mover not specified in transcript for other motions) and others secured unanimous consent for final reading notices. Senator Sharon Moriwaki, Senator Mike Gabbard and others were recorded on routine procedural items earlier in the session.

On committee and concurrent resolution business, the clerk reported adoption of standing committee reports 19‑60 to 19‑63 and related House concurrent resolutions; Senator Wakai moved their adoption and the motion carried by unanimous consent.

On nominations, the clerk and presiding officer reported the committee recommendation for advise and consent; the Senate recorded “25 ayes” and the nominees were confirmed. The transcript includes introductions of nominees identified as GM669 (Ke'kama Makoa Aka'iliho, name as provided in the transcript) and GM773 (Shailene Ornelas) during the session.

Other procedural items included referrals and re‑referrals made according to the supplemental orders of the day and waivers of referral for certain House concurrent resolutions to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection; 1‑day notice was given for adoption where appropriate.

Votes at a glance - SB 1369 (House Draft 1; relating to Title 24, Hawaii Revised Statutes): Motion to reconsider and agree to House amendments carried; 1‑day notice given for final reading. Moved: Senator Jarrett Keohokalole; second: Senator Wakai; outcome: motion carried by unanimous consent (no recorded objections). Referenced in transcript pages starting at the bill’s introduction. - SB 1402 (House Draft 2; relating to vessels in state commercial harbors): Motion to reconsider and agree to House amendments carried; 1‑day notice given for final reading. Moved: Senator Maile Shimabukuro (Senator Lee in transcript served as mover for this item); second: Senator Wakai; outcome: motion carried by unanimous consent. - SB 1411 (House Draft 2; relating to Medicaid third‑party liability): Motion to reconsider and agree to House amendments carried; 1‑day notice given for final reading. Moved: Senator San Buenaventura; second: Senator Wakai; outcome: motion carried by unanimous consent.

What the record shows and what is not specified - The motions were carried by unanimous consent when the presiding officer asked for objections and none were raised; no roll‑call tallies were provided for these specific motions in the transcript. When a roll call was conducted on advise and consent for governor’s messages, the clerk recorded “25 ayes.” - The transcript identifies bill subjects (for example, Title 24 for SB 1369, vessels in state commercial harbors for SB 1402, and Medicaid third‑party liability for SB 1411) but does not include the full text of the bills or specific statutory changes; those details are not specified in the session transcript and are not inferred here.

The Senate adjourned to reconvene at 11:30 a.m. the following day.