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Senate approves slate of bills on third reading, including tax, education and elections measures
Summary
The Senate approved multiple bills on third reading with minimal debate, passing measures on tax conformity, school meals, retirement savings, agriculture, elections and other topics; most passed by unanimous consent or recorded voice votes.
Madam President presided as the Senate approved a series of bills on third reading, with most measures passed by unanimous consent or recorded voice votes and little floor debate.
The package included legislation on tax conformity, school meals, the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, nuclear energy, agriculture and elections, among other topics. The chamber recorded 22 senators present and three excused at roll call.
Senate Bill 1464, relating to conformity to the Internal Revenue Code, passed third reading by unanimous consent (22 ayes). Senate Bill 1300, SD1, relating to school meals, also passed third reading by unanimous consent (22 ayes). Senate Bill 1567, SD1, concerning classification and compensation systems, passed third reading by unanimous consent (22 ayes).
Senate Bill 855, SD1, the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, passed third reading by unanimous consent (22 ayes). Senate Bill 1588, SD1, relating to nuclear energy, passed third reading with a recorded vote (final tally recorded in the transcript as 20 ayes and 2 noes). Senate Bill 552, SD1 (agriculture) passed third reading by unanimous consent (22 ayes). Senate Bill 529, SD1 (education) passed third reading; a tally was not specified in the transcript.
Tax-related measures that passed included Senate Bill 1466 (Earned Income Tax Credit), recorded as passing with 22 ayes, and Senate Bill 1467 (tax appeals), which passed third reading though a specific tally was not given in the transcript. Senate Bill 1470, relating to income tax withholding, passed third reading with a recorded tally of 20 ayes and 2 noes.
On juvenile detention, Senate Bill 694 passed third reading; the transcript records reservations for one senator and a final tally referenced as 20 ayes and 2 noes. Senate Bill 780, relating to elections, passed third reading with a recorded tally of 19 ayes and 3 noes. Senate Bill 1545, relating to nepotism, passed third reading by unanimous consent (22 ayes).
Procedural business included the filing of Governor's Message No. 4 amending the Governor's Executive Budget Request for the 2025–2027 biennium and Governor's Messages Nos. 669–683 transmitting nominations to various boards and commissions. The Senate also moved to adopt standing committee reports (699–702 and 707–710) and took several measures on consent calendars.
During introductions, Senator Kim recognized guests in the gallery, including Crystal and family and staff members. Senator DeCoite invited colleagues to attend AG Day at the Capitol on the Fourth Floor from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., thanking the Hawaii Farm Bureau and other hosts. "We invite you to join us tomorrow for AG Day at the Capitol," Senator DeCoite said.
Senator Wakai moved routine procedural motions, including adoption of standing committee reports and a motion to adjourn; the motion to adjourn until 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, was seconded and carried with no recorded objection.
While the chamber recorded votes on several bills, the transcript shows limited floor debate on the measures listed above; several items were taken on unanimous consent or brief voice tally. Where the transcript did not supply a vote tally for a passed measure, the article records that the tally was not specified in the transcript.
