Hawaii Congressional Bills

in committee · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 3124: Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025

HR 3124 establishes a National Science Foundation grant program to increase participation of women, underrepresented minorities (including Black, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Asian subgroups), LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities in STEM fields. The bill authorizes $15 million annually for grants to organizations that implement activities like mentoring programs, STEM internships, online workshops, and outreach to K-12 students. These grants specifically target efforts to improve recruitment, retention, and workforce representation for groups facing documented underrepresentation in STEM education and careers. The program directly affects educational institutions, nonprofits, and community organizations working to support these underrepresented groups through evidence-based initiatives.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Apr 29, 2025

HRES 358: A resolution seeking justice for the Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.

This resolution (HRES 358) calls on North Korea to release all abducted Japanese citizens, return remains and information about deceased victims, provide restitution, and issue a formal apology for abductions that began in the 1970s. It directly addresses the families of Japanese citizens held by North Korea and seeks to hold North Korea accountable for violating human rights. The resolution, introduced by Representatives Kiggans and Tokuda, is a symbolic House action with no new legal requirements or funding. It emphasizes the U.S. position that such abductions conflict with fundamental freedoms and human rights principles.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 29, 2025

S 1503: Equality Act

The Equality Act (S 1503) amends existing civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, and jury service. It expands the definition of "sex" in federal civil rights laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, clarifying that discrimination based on these factors is prohibited under current law. The bill directly affects individuals, businesses, government entities, and service providers by requiring compliance with these expanded anti-discrimination protections. It does not create new rights but makes clear that existing protections against sex discrimination already cover sexual orientation and gender identity, as affirmed by the Supreme Court in Bostock v. Clayton County. The legislation aims to provide consistent nationwide protections against discrimination that LGBTQ+ people have historically faced in key areas of public life.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Jeff Merkley (D) · 46 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 29, 2025

S 1506: Medicare for All Act

The Medicare for All Act would establish a government-run health insurance program providing comprehensive coverage to all U.S. residents, replacing current private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. The program would cover all medically necessary services including hospital care, prescription drugs, dental, vision, mental health, and reproductive care without patient cost-sharing (except for limited prescription drug cost-sharing under specific conditions). It would prohibit private insurers from selling duplicate coverage and require employers to stop providing duplicate benefits, while allowing supplemental coverage for additional services not included in the core benefits package. The bill includes a transition period with immediate coverage for children and a gradual phase-in for full implementation, with benefits first available for most individuals in 2027. The program would be funded through a new Medicare for All Trust Fund, consolidating current health care program revenues.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Bernard Sanders (I) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 29, 2025

S 1515: Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program to increase affordability and accessibility for low-income households. It raises state allocation amounts through revised per capita calculations, modifies income eligibility rules to better serve extremely low-income households, and adds protections for domestic violence victims in housing. The bill expands "difficult development areas" to include rural areas and Indian lands, and changes the program's name from "Low-Income Housing Credit" to "Affordable Housing Credit" to better reflect its purpose. These changes aim to make affordable housing more accessible while improving transparency and accountability in the program's implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Todd Young (R) · 41 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Apr 29, 2025

HR 15: Equality Act

The Equality Act (HR 15) amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, and jury service. It expands existing protections under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics under sex discrimination prohibitions. The bill clarifies that discrimination against LGBTQ people is a form of sex discrimination, consistent with the Supreme Court's Bostock decision, and adds specific definitions for gender identity and sexual orientation. This legislation directly affects businesses, employers, housing providers, financial institutions, and government entities that serve the public. The bill creates a more comprehensive legal framework to address discrimination that LGBTQ people face in multiple aspects of daily life.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Mark Takano (D) · 218 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Apr 29, 2025

HR 3063: Rural Hospital Stabilization Act of 2025

HR 3063, the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act of 2025, provides federal grants to help financially struggling rural hospitals in remote areas (defined as at least 15 miles from the nearest hospital and 20 miles from urban areas). The bill authorizes up to $5 million per hospital over five years for facility repairs, equipment upgrades, and operational costs like non-leadership payroll and debt payments, while requiring hospitals to demonstrate how projects address financial needs and ensure continued community access. Grants must supplement - not replace - existing funding, and hospitals must submit sustainability plans. The $500 million total funding authorization covers fiscal years after 2025, with a report to Congress on program outcomes within 18 months.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Apr 29, 2025

HR 3067: Arctic Refuge Protection Act

HR 3067, the Arctic Refuge Protection Act, repeals the existing oil and gas program for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and designates approximately 1.56 million acres of the refuge's Coastal Plain as wilderness. This directly affects federal management of the ANWR, halting potential oil drilling in the designated area. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to administer the newly designated wilderness area under the Wilderness Act, treating it as part of the existing wilderness within ANWR. The change prevents future oil and gas development on this specific portion of the refuge.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

Jared Huffman (D) · 109 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Apr 29, 2025

HR 3054: RESEARCHER Act

The RESEARCHER Act (HR 3054) requires federal research agencies to develop policies addressing financial instability for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers at federally funded universities. It mandates the Office of Science and Technology Policy to create guidelines within six months covering stipend increases (including location-based indexing), healthcare access, housing, food security, and family care support. The bill also adds new data collection requirements to track stipends and financial challenges by demographics, and directs the National Academies to study these issues with a report due within two years. Federal agencies must implement these guidelines within six months and report progress annually to Congress.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Apr 29, 2025

HR 3069: Medicare for All Act

Medicare for All Act This bill establishes a national health insurance program that is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Among other requirements, the program must (1) cover all U.S. residents; (2) provide for automatic enrollment of individuals upon birth or residency in the United States; and (3) cover items and services that are medically necessary or appropriate to maintain health or to diagnose, treat, or rehabilitate a health condition, including hospital services, prescription drugs, mental health and substance abuse treatment, dental and vision services, long-term care, gender affirming care, and reproductive care, including contraception and abortions. The bill prohibits cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) and other charges for covered services. Additionally, private health insurers and employers may only offer coverage that is supplemental to, and not duplicative of, benefits provided under the program. Health insurance exchanges and specified federal health programs terminate upon program implementation. However, the program does not affect coverage provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service. The bill also establishes a series of implementing provisions relating to (1) health care provider participation; (2) HHS administration; and (3) payments and costs, including the requirement that HHS negotiate prices for prescription drugs. Individuals who are age 18 or younger, age 55 or older, or already enrolled in Medicare may enroll in the program starting one year after enactment of this bill; other individuals may buy into the program at this time. The program must be fully implemented two years after enactment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Pramila Jayapal (D) · 117 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Apr 28, 2025

HR 3048: Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025

The Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 establishes regional "Ocean Innovation Clusters" in seven designated areas (including Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, and five National Marine Fisheries Service regions) to advance the Blue Economy. These clusters, led by nonprofit organizations and including businesses, academic institutions, Tribal groups, and government agencies, will develop physical "Ocean Innovation Centers" offering shared workspaces, workforce training, and support for sustainable industries like seafood, ocean energy, and coastal resilience. The bill authorizes $10 million annually in grants (2026-2030) to help clusters become self-sustaining, focusing on equitable growth, small business development, and cross-sector collaboration. It prioritizes projects serving underserved communities and enhancing economic opportunities across coastal regions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Apr 28, 2025

HR 3045: West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025

HR 3045, the West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025, imposes U.S. sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for violence, displacement, or property destruction in the West Bank. It targets those directly involved in attacks on civilians, forced displacement, or property seizures, including settler leaders or officials of groups engaged in such activities. Key provisions require freezing assets of sanctioned individuals within U.S. jurisdiction and blocking their entry into the United States via visa restrictions. The law applies to foreign nationals meeting specific criteria outlined in the bill, not U.S. citizens or entities.

Jerrold Nadler (D) · 173 co-sponsors

Hawaii Congressional Bills

Bill results