HB 1100 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO ACT 253, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 2023.

Summary

Updates the name of the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program by replacing the term "visually impaired" with the term "low vision". Clarifies the pilot program's implementation timeframes. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Feb 12, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB1100 → HB1100_HD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program by replacing the term 'visually impaired' with 'low vision' to reduce stigma, clarifies implementation timelines, and adjusts the program's sunset date from 2024 to 2029. The changes reflect lessons learned from the 2023 Maui wildfires and aim to better serve residents on neighbor islands who face barriers to accessing services compared to those on Oahu.

Scope change

The bill expands the program's operational timeline and modifies eligibility language to include 'low vision' alongside 'blind', while maintaining the focus on neighbor island residents with visual disabilities.

DEFINITION

Replaced the term 'visually impaired' with 'low vision' throughout the bill to use less stigmatizing language.

TIMELINE

Changed the pilot program's end date from July 30, 2024 to July 30, 2029, and adjusted the working group report deadline to 20 days before the 2025 legislative session instead of 2024.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the department to establish a working group composed of neighbor island residents who are blind or low vision to develop an implementation plan and submit it to the legislature before the 2025 regular session.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated eligibility criteria to include individuals with 'low vision' in addition to those who are blind, ensuring broader coverage of residents with visual disabilities.

TECHNICAL

Added a new Section 1 containing legislative findings that explain the need for the program due to service disparities between Oahu and neighbor islands.

Floor votes · House Feb 12, 2025

How they voted

47–1

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 51

Feb 12, 2025

D Democratic41

40 Yea 1

97% Yea

R Republican10

7 Yea 1 Nay 2

70% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 517) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 12, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (47-1-3)

house

Feb 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Chun, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to HSH, FIN, referral sheet 3

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors