Lawmakers Conclude 2025 Legislative Session with Achievements and Disagreements Unresolved
On the closing day of the legislative session in 2023, frayed tempers among House Republicans resurfaced, just like a deja vu of the previous year. In the hallowed halls of the state Capitol, the usual camaraderie of senators and House members gathering to sing "Hawai'i Aloha" was punctuated by a ruckus.
The source of discontent this time was Senate Bill 1434, a bill providing state funding for "universal" immunization. GOP representatives, David Alcos III (R, Ocean Pointe-Barbers Point) and Garner Shimizu (R, Moanalua-Aliamanu-Foster Village), disparaged the bill in light of other immunization bills that had already perished in this session. Their Republican colleague, Rep. Kanani Souza (R, Kapolei-Makakilo), defended the bill, even addressing it twice on the House floor, preventing Shimizu from interrupting her the second time, causing hearty laughter.
House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, in response, struck her gavel and called for an order to be restored. During the two called recesses, House Majority Leader Sean Quinlan (D, Waialua-Haleiwa-Punaluu) spoke with some members of the Republican caucus, a rare occurrence.
The exchange between Quinlan and House Republicans involved a "robust discussion" about House rules, leading to a warm handshake in the end. Meanwhile, Rep. Diamond Garcia (R, Ewa-Kapolei) called out Souza for interrupting his fellow party member, Republican Rep. Lauren Matsumoto (R, Mililani-Waipio Acres-Mililani Mauka), during her floor speech, stating it was "rude" and "brash."
Throughout the session, Matsumoto, who led the Republican minority, continually praised the "unprecedented" cooperation between the Democratic majority and the GOP. The outbursts among her own party members on this day, however, stood out among all the photo ops, gift exchanges, and heartfelt speeches.
Despite the partisan squabbles, other crucial bills were finalized, such as SB 97, which increases penalties for excessive speeding by three times within five years, imposes a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 30 days, and allows judges to confiscate vehicles used in the offense. Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D, Puna) voted against the bill due to the forfeiture provision, arguing it could lead to families losing their livelihood due to a single reckless driver.
Meanwhile, both chambers approved SB 1396, which marks significant progress in Gov. Josh Green's efforts to generate millions in revenue through a climate impact fee, or "green fee," primarily on tourists. The legislation increases Hawaii's transient accommodation tax from 10.25% to 11% on top of the 3% county tax, resulting in an overall 14% TAT. Revenue projections estimate an annual revenue of $90 million to $100 million.
The passage of other bills included stricter enforcement against illegal fireworks, and SB 1044, which aims to sell property loss insurance to condominium associations to help stabilize premium spikes. In the 25-member Senate, the final day was more cordial compared to the more heated debates in the 51-member House. First-term Sen. Samantha DeCorte (R, Nanakuli-Waianae-Makaha) took the time to thank all her colleagues, reflecting on her first session in the Legislature.
- In 2023, the Senate faced a contentious issue with Senate Bill 1434, a bill offering state funding for "universal" immunization, leading to discord among senators and representatives.
- Within the state Capitol, the frayed tempers among House Republicans were reminiscent of the previous year's session, disrupting the usual camaraderie during the closing day of the legislative session.
- During the session, House Speaker Nadine Nakamura had to restore order with her gavel due to the heated debate regarding immunization funding.
- After the session, House Majority Leader Sean Quinlan spoke with some members of the Republican caucus, which was an uncommon occurrence during such disputes.
- The passage of SB 1396 brings significant progress in Gov. Josh Green's efforts to generate millions in revenue through a climate impact fee, or "green fee," primarily on tourists.
- As another bill, SB 97 aims to increase penalties for excessive speeding, imposing a mandatory minimum jail sentence, and allowing for vehicle confiscation, leading to debates about potential impacts on families.
- The Senate, with 25 members, maintained a more cordial atmosphere compared to the more heated debates in the 51-member House during the final day of the session.
- In the Legislature's first session, first-term Sen. Samantha DeCorte (R, Nanakuli-Waianae-Makaha) took the time to express gratitude to all her colleagues, reflecting on her experiences with environment, politics, crime, fires, policy, tourism, and other general news topics.
