Votes at a glance: House Public Safety Committee advances four bills, defers SB 3240

At the March 16 House Public Safety Committee hearing, members voted on four Senate bills after testimony and questions.

- SB 2138 (Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program): Chair recommended passing with amendments (defective date); roll-call recorded affirmative votes from Chair, Vice Chair, and Representatives Hasham, Mark Nakashima, Poipoi, Woodson, Shimizu, and Souza. The chair's recommendation was adopted.

- SB 3110 (National Guard Youth and Adult Educational Programs housekeeping): The committee voted to pass SD1 with amendments; the recommendation was adopted, noting Representative Ichiyama was excused.

- SB 3109 (Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrative changes): The committee passed SD1 with amendments and a defective date; the chair noted further conference work would be needed.

- SB 3082 (qualified military exigency leave for eligible employees): The committee passed SD1 with amendments; one member announced a vote with reservations but the recommendation was adopted.

SB 3240, which would appropriate funds to DBEDT for MACRO, was not voted on; the chair deferred it to March 18 at 11:00 a.m. for decision-making to allow the committee time to consider the large volume of public testimony and the possibility of amended language.

The committee adjourned following the votes and deferral.