[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6335197,"mediaKeyId","2290850-ebcf47183358b6889b0b44e55a4ba048","parentId",2290850,"title","Votes at a glance: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs committee actions on Feb. 12","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",10500000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290850-ebcf47183358b6889b0b44e55a4ba048&start=10500&end=10500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290850-ebcf47183358b6889b0b44e55a4ba048/thumbnail_10500000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6335197/Hawaii/Votes-at-a-glance-House-Judiciary-Hawaiian-Affairs-committee-actions-on-Feb-12","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335197-c2d276f263c24ecb184a8a07668ac0cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172422&Signature=NccRO-CaYeIh--eJXhtNSmtD80UZlHCMQV163d5ZaUDkHTuHyWtj-2XWxjhJhVLSJZqeaWjrahhw8z0PToxjB1UT8X4vedgboDyqheUqPAmu44JCdY3S5SxBOjSTLndQxsdBkpp4VjuXwGb4al03Yfa3L8sCqH1w05tGDlIGMLyMQD2KqTgvl6NqvKkgBIy7XhWmEVBXtHFuJDmTkYXJp0PCKdblp~cKSOT~n6UOameeLGrmagdfK7IO-khMKQWMeFh6filGEi-~P2zgbEgqoaAG0SeWgTZKkd3lz2Z28NcW7Ar1c1Jmi9rV2WcfWB50ZdEYdAswmTjyED9zddq5UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs","date","2025-02-08T01:21:02Z","article","The House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs met Feb. 12 and took action on a broad set of bills. Below is a concise summary of each item the committee voted on or formally deferred during the decision-making portion of the hearing.

Votes at a glance (committee recommendations and noted votes)

- HB1002 (Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission) — Action: advanced as HD1. Notes: Committee recommendation adopted; Representative Cochran excused. (See article on corrections and reentry for details.)

- HB677 (Identification for inmates / reentry) — Action: advanced as introduced. Notes: Committee recommendation adopted.

- HB1183 (Allowances on service retirements / Department of Law Enforcement positions) — Action: advanced with multiple technical and Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) amendments to clarify contribution rates and effective dates. Notes: Committee adopted ERS-recommended technical changes.

- HB1045 (Emergency appropriations for law enforcement payroll/fringe) — Action: advanced with technical amendments and appropriation language to be placed in the standing committee report.

- HB664 (Office of Gun Violence Prevention) — Action: advanced with technical amendments including draft grant standards; two recorded no votes (Representatives Shimizu and Garcia); committee declined to consolidate the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission into the new office at this time due to drafting/title issues.

- HB508 (Illegal fireworks task force funding and sunset extension) — Action: advanced with amendments adjusting the appropriation method and an effective-date proviso tied to existing act 67 repeal date.

- HB648 (Guardianship/conservatorship pilot for indigent respondents) — Action: advanced with technical amendments; committee requested appropriations language be placed in standing committee report.

- HB1001 (Maui wildfire settlement trust fund) — Action: advanced with amendments clarifying release language for beneficiaries and appropriation language moved to committee report.

- HB1174 (Payment under protest procedures) — Action: advanced with an effective-date deferral for fiscal implementation.

- HB990 (Appropriations for claims against the state) — Action: advanced with amendments to add recently settled claims and conform to attorney-general-provided updates.

- HB997 (Court-ordered payments / proof-of-compliance hearings and collections) — Action: deferred. Notes: Committee recorded that further work is needed to reconcile the bill’s approach with the Hawaii Supreme Court decision State v. Faye and to resolve resource and scope concerns raised by the judiciary, public defenders and victim advocates.

- HB364 (Spay/neuter, free-roaming cat management and breeder permitting) — Action: deferred. Notes: Committee cited substantial stakeholder disagreement (veterinarians, humane societies, conservation groups and breeders) and asked proponents to pursue stakeholder workgroup revisions.

- HB366 (Renewable energy contested-case appeals to Hawaii Supreme Court) — Action: deferred. Notes: Judiciary submitted opposition; committee declined to bypass specialized environmental adjudication in favor of direct Supreme Court review.

- HB992 (Charitable fundraising platforms) — Action: advanced with technical amendments to simplify registration and reporting; one no vote recorded (Representative Shimizu).

- HB228 (Electronic license plates / obscuring devices / enforcement) — Action: advanced as introduced; DOT testified in support.

- HB1358 (Public Land Trust Working Group appropriations to OHA) — Action: advanced with committee asking that requested appropriations be specified in the standing committee report; technical amendments adopted.

- HB1007 (Hawaii Community Development Authority — TOD infrastructure program) — Action: advanced with amendments; committee accepted DLNR and OPSD recommended clarifications and requested HCDA to coordinate with Finance on implementing language.

- HB958 (Bikes, e-bikes and micro-mobility rules) — Action: advanced with amendments clarifying device definitions and age limits; technical cleanups accepted.

- HB604 (Increase transient accommodations tax; Hawaiian Home General Loan Fund) — Action: advanced; noted fiscal tradeoffs and recorded reservations/no votes (Representative Garcia voted no; Representative Shimizu recorded reservation).

- HB1308 (Sports wagering) — Action: advanced with amendments requiring criminal-history checks and strengthened temporary-license safeguards; several recorded no votes (Representatives Peruso, Takayama, Shimizu and Garcia) and reservations from Representatives Bellotti and Hasham. Committee asked Finance to consider tax-administration issues raised by the Department of Taxation.

Deferred and withdrawn items

- The committee deferred HB997 (court-ordered payments) and HB364 (cats/spay-neuter/breeder permitting) to permit further stakeholder work and to await a senate vehicle or additional drafting in some cases.

What’s next: Bills advanced by the committee will proceed to the Finance Committee if they require appropriations or further budgeting language. Several items were deferred for reworking with stakeholders or for coordination with other committees to resolve statutory and administrative concerns. Members noted fiscal pressures as a recurring context for revenue-related proposals during the hearing.

Source notes: This roundup summarizes the committee’s February 12, 2025 hearing and decision-making session. Recorded votes and member statements appear in the hearing transcript; the committee’s actions and requests for Finance and drafting follow-up are reflected in the official record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","JHA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 12, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of committee decisions on bills heard Feb. 12, including which measures advanced, which were deferred, and notable recorded no votes or reservations.","taxTitle","House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, House of Representatives, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25719,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6335203,"Panel advances sports-wagering bill amid split committee and public testimony",626,9549000,10175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290850-ebcf47183358b6889b0b44e55a4ba048&start=9549&end=10175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290850-ebcf47183358b6889b0b44e55a4ba048/thumbnail_9549000.jpg","/articles/6335203/Hawaii/Panel-advances-sports-wagering-bill-amid-split-committee-and-public-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335203-9522c37a0cd37f099dadc4339dcba035/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172422&Signature=Ors~5wuKCBxVYlp9o1r1XoU9JyELc7e80933iII4c1gwGeZkQQxIzV5oKUgelfFtRNh8U1JqYS2k8T4X6t8AVmuhTNus~MoF25LALt876rgv-fsCRb0Lt1megVOGOQZPxJV0CO75yfW9d0F-nF9Q6baR5wKhWqWYaF091RF5yHFOnble~lW6otvb2ZWh~qfmCGL6bYLXO23Nxn13RoctPF1-GklD3NUSePFAkmCz9yQuXaCWDWGYmJeved41hB082gnLTFVJtOn2rnRWMuLOyUOiDEP9gbRuB5cu4hD73uJ~qEtS6hKgLvNu5BnZFBk7lWQ551~j1xV~w516HYEAnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs voted Feb. 12 to advance HB1308, which would legalize and regulate sports wagering in Hawaii and create licensing and tax frameworks. The committee added clarifying amendments requiring criminal-history checks for licensees and tightening temporary-license rules; the measure was advanced with recorded no votes and several members noted reservations.

Supporters including DraftKings and BetMGM said legalization would bring illicit online betting into a regulated market with consumer protections, responsible-gambling tools and treatment resources. Richard Taylor of BetMGM described deposit limits, self-exclusion tools and a partnership with a clinical provider offering no-cost treatment for problem gambling. The Iron Workers Stabilization Fund testified in favor, arguing legalized wagering would diversify Hawaii’s revenue sources and help retain residents.

Opponents included the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the state Attorney General’s Office, which warned of increased financial harm and social costs tied to expanded gambling. Deputy Attorney General David Williams cited studies linking legalized gambling to higher rates of bankruptcy and family harm and urged caution; DCCA and the attorney general recommended a Sunrise Analysis (HRS 26H-6) or further study before authorizing a new regulated market.

Why it matters: Testimony focused on the fiscal tradeoffs and public-health risks of legalization. Proponents emphasized tax revenue and regulation; opponents pointed to addiction, family impacts and enforcement challenges. The Department of Taxation flagged administrative questions on how revenue allocations would be tracked if gaming receipts are collected under the general excise tax rather than a separate sports-wagering tax.

Committee action and next steps: The committee advanced the bill with amendments to strengthen licensing checks and clarify temporary-license revocation if an applicant is later found ineligible. The record shows several members voting no or recording reservations: Representatives Peruso, Takayama and Shimizu registered no votes; Representatives Bellotti and Hasham recorded reservations; Representative Garcia recorded a no vote. The bill will proceed to Finance, and the standing committee report asks Finance to consider tax-administration issues raised by DOTAX.

Ending: Lawmakers advanced a contentious bill that would move a large illicit market into state regulation; the measure now faces further review in Finance, where tax structure and consumer-protection provisions will be key bargaining points.","The committee advanced HB1308 to legalize and regulate sports wagering in Hawaii, adding criminal-history checks and temporary-license safeguards; the measure drew strong support from industry and unions and opposition from prosecutors and others concerned about social harms.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6335209,"Committee advances bill to create Office of Gun Violence Prevention, but AG recommends consolidating existing commission",133,2102000,2235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290850-ebcf47183358b6889b0b44e55a4ba048&start=2102&end=2235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290850-ebcf47183358b6889b0b44e55a4ba048/thumbnail_2102000.jpg","/articles/6335209/Hawaii/Committee-advances-bill-to-create-Office-of-Gun-Violence-Prevention-but-AG-recommends-consolidating-existing-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335209-d327d4a678644e713875b1d481495012/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172422&Signature=JX4tSrzOBuOL8SACHc7e9jD3r7VJ9uNsFyJ83xTY6sYMlOw1gUYanFF3srQKkL6D70fSwINufWJlYtjBlE2TtF7QItd8RaO-p38sbpUnmCcAiPqKaHyIjVPM-f4ld7Jpkn05T5uskB3GfLl06XX3vh6pGvs83-q83mq7uFsTxMfbbB2lcNOzvrBfV-T3zNiLLJU5sUdH1feDJPXrStXZQ-FX-MQo2YsT7JA5b4m6m0t6NYu8jBEvLFoJLILGQvVdjDrtEm4BFQflXJ2QyrSwUKmg029EIKzoEzfus9kp2HQpPYBzU4ZcL6U5LAA~KLNLcOV6HsRm-wMM-GBsVbgFJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs advanced legislation on Feb. 12 to create a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program and a gun violence resource bank. HB664 also would set up a Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund and appropriate money into it.

Attorney General Melina Sanchez testified with written comments that the bill should include standards for grant awards and noted overlapping responsibilities between the proposed office and the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission codified under chapter 134C of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The attorney general recommended either consolidating the commission’s responsibilities into the new office and repealing chapter 134C, or otherwise clarifying roles to avoid duplication.

Supporters told the committee the state needs a centralized hub to coordinate prevention, pull federal funding, and raise public awareness. Sarah Sumati of Everytown for Gun Safety said an office would allow Hawaii to approach gun violence “from every angle by serving as a centralized hub” for coordination, education and grantmaking. Erica Yamauchi of Everytown and Moms Demand Action pointed to the office’s potential to help the state draw down federal and philanthropic funds for community violence intervention.

Why it matters: Testimony emphasized both public-health and fiscal angles — advocates said a funded office could better coordinate interventions and access federal grant opportunities; the attorney general emphasized statutory and administrative issues, noting overlapping duties with an existing commission.

Committee action and next steps: The committee advanced HB664 with technical changes and added language (including draft grant standards suggested by the attorney general) but did not adopt the AG’s proposal to consolidate the existing commission due to drafting and title concerns. The measure will proceed to Finance for appropriations and further refinement of the statutory structure.

Ending: The committee’s action keeps open a path toward a single statewide entity focused on prevention and coordination while leaving unresolved how the new office would interact with or absorb duties of the existing statutory commission.","The committee advanced HB664 to establish a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention and a special fund; the attorney general advised consolidating responsibilities of an existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission into the new office and proposed grant-award standards.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6335214,"House committee advances bills to lengthen oversight coordinator term and speed ID access for people leaving prison",528,964000,1492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290850-ebcf47183358b6889b0b44e55a4ba048&start=964&end=1492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290850-ebcf47183358b6889b0b44e55a4ba048/thumbnail_964000.jpg","/articles/6335214/Hawaii/House-committee-advances-bills-to-lengthen-oversight-coordinator-term-and-speed-ID-access-for-people-leaving-prison","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335214-66964c899a8546f2d53051efd3ecee90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172422&Signature=Zl7JMmZ7MR5UlTVEdKferL0upEAF-TEqyWR6IEoo0BjjQFRizKTB6PQLEyBY2YHCQ75nrppmkxxwXxp9a~wEfX7qQySS3hDE-N~6X3Rd82TkSY8h8aawSfmJp~EzB61BN-UfC~zVDKaPmm~vAmrF8qJNwVdn84b1N2MZ4P2opAmAE7P29HacRucYapKi3q6X7v7c4QViGK3Qbbov6RrNVLfmGAOpJP3e74WsIqli6bf4ZFfYOU01qJ2ayak~EbJjX5dU1t2TlamtMJCgl~mgTadz5cmYxTUZs1fyUgiExTnxI2TUKK1XOdk~tSfzvt8yGOLg~5R8yiI2Sj5YLMsOaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs on Feb. 12 advanced two measures aimed at strengthening oversight of Hawaii’s correctional system and improving prison reentry services. Lawmakers moved HB1002, which adjusts the oversight coordinator’s term and supervisory review, and HB677, which directs the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to assist inmates in obtaining civil identification, birth certificates and Social Security cards as soon as practicable.

Proponents told the committee both measures respond to persistent operational gaps. “Unannounced visits or inspections are fine with us because whatever found will help us better the system,” Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson told the committee in support of giving the oversight coordinator access to facilities. Mark Patterson, chair of the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, said the commission had gone nearly three years without staff or a coordinator after it was established in 2019, and urged a longer coordinator term to sustain reform work. Kristen Johnson, the commission’s oversight coordinator, echoed that reentry and oversight efforts require continuity.

Why it matters: Supporters said longer coordinator terms and the commission’s ability to review retention decisions would help sustain reform efforts, while faster access to identification documents addresses a known reentry barrier. As McKenna Woodward of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs put it in testimony supporting HB677, timely IDs help released people secure housing and employment; the office noted Native Hawaiians are disproportionately represented in the state’s correctional population.

Supporting details and debate: HB1002, as considered, extends the coordinator’s term and clarifies that the coordinator may inspect correctional facilities without notice; it also authorizes the commission to review the coordinator’s performance and submit retention recommendations to the governor. Testimony came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, ACLU Hawaii and individual taxpayers who backed a longer initial term (several testifiers argued for terms longer than the version the committee considered).

On HB677, Christie Yokoyama, acting program lead for the department’s reentry office, said DCR supports the measure and is working with counties and the DMV to deploy machines and replace equipment in facilities. The bill also requires DCR to initiate obtaining ID documents for inmates released to work furlough, extended furlough or community placement programs. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs highlighted disparities in incarceration and urged support so released people can secure housing and travel home when incarcerated out of state.

Committee action and next steps: The committee moved both measures forward at the Feb. 12 meeting. HB1002 was advanced as HD1; HB677 was advanced as presented. Both bills will continue to the Finance Committee for consideration of appropriations and further amendment.

Ending note: Supporters framed the two bills as complementary: stronger, more durable oversight for system reform and practical steps to reduce recidivism by removing administrative barriers to reentry.","The House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs moved forward two measures: HB1002 would extend the oversight coordinator's term and authorize the commission to review and recommend retention; HB677 would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help inmates obtain IDs and key documents to support reentry.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs committee actions on Feb. 12

Panel advances sports-wagering bill amid split committee and public testimony

Committee advances bill to create Office of Gun Violence Prevention, but AG recommends consolidating existing commission

House committee advances bills to lengthen oversight coordinator term and speed ID access for people leaving prison