House approves motion to reconsider Senate amendments on HB1194 HD2 after heated procedural debate

The Hawaii House of Representatives voted to reconsider a prior decision disagreeing with Senate amendments to House Bill 1194 (HD2), giving notice of intent to agree to the Senate amendments and setting the measure for future final action.

"Madam speaker, I move to reconsider action previously taken in disagreeing to the amendments made by the Senate. And to give notice of the intent to agree to the amendments to House Bill 1194 HD2 as referenced on your digital action sheets," Representative Todd said; Representative Morikawa seconded the motion. After extended debate on the floor about process and transparency, the motion was carried by voice vote and the clerk announced the motion is carried.

Members who opposed the motion warned the procedural step would short-circuit conference negotiations with Senate conferees and community stakeholders. "This motion to reconsider to accept the amendments is a premature procedural move that artificially cuts off and circumvents the democratic process from playing out in its full and most robust form," Representative Bellotti said in opposition, arguing that conference committee negotiations would be curtailed. Representative Peruso likewise said the chamber was "cutting off a vital process" for stakeholder engagement.

Supporters said the move is a common procedural step late in session and noted the bill has been through multiple drafts and hearings over several years. Representative Todd said extensive vetting has already occurred and that accepting the amendments allows the process to proceed to final floor consideration and the governor's review.

Representative Bellotti asked whether a comp sheet (a side-by-side comparison of House and Senate drafts) would be available; the clerk replied, "Comp comparison sheets between the senate and the house bill will be available in 48 hours and uploaded to gateway." Representative Todd and other supporters said the chamber would still have opportunities for full-floor debate in the final-reading stage if the motion carried.

The motion was approved by voice vote; the clerk recorded, "The motion is carried." The presiding officer announced that the measure will appear on the Monday order of the day for agree and final reading. Several members requested permission to insert written comments and journal entries reflecting their positions.

The transcript records robust procedural debate about bicameral negotiation, transparency of conference committees and whether the chamber should allow additional time for stakeholder input. The majority motion passed; the transcript shows no roll-call tally for the reconsideration motion in the provided excerpt and the action was recorded by voice vote.