Rep. Matthias Kusch

Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to notify an individual in the custody of a state or county law enforcement agency of their rights before any interview with federal immigration authorities pertaining to certain matters regarding civil immigration violations can commence. Designates all records relating to federal immigration authorities' access to detained individuals provided by a state or local law enforcement agency as public records. (CD1)

Requires the maximum contribution and carryover amounts for a public service flexible spending account plan to be set annually in accordance with the maximum amounts allowed under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Effective 7/1/2027. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1881 prohibits the construction and operation of passenger ropeways on mountain lands within all designated land use districts across the state. This bill directly affects developers, landowners, and tourism operators seeking to build such infrastructure in mountainous areas. The key provision bans ropeways universally in all land use districts, removing exceptions for specific zones or projects. The bill is currently pending a committee hearing (WAL) as of February 2026, with no final action taken yet.

By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies that identify nonpublic areas, establish procedures for warrant verification and staff response, prohibit the collection of certain immigration-status data, and require annual staff training and certain multilingual notices. Requires the Attorney General to publish model policies. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHB 2475 establishes labeling requirements for 'ōkolehao, a traditional Hawaiian distilled spirit made from taro. It directly affects producers and sellers of 'ōkolehao by mandating specific information on product labels, such as origin, ingredients, or production methods to ensure authenticity. The key provision requires that all 'ōkolehao sold in Hawaii meet these standardized labeling standards. This bill aims to clarify product identity for consumers while supporting local cultural heritage products.

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors that are not crimes of violence, or for offenses that are not crimes of violence punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment for an offense that is not a crime of violence to apply to the trial court for reconsideration of the sentence to conform to the revised maximum penalty. (CD1)

Establishes uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U or T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas. Requires each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U or T visa certifications, consistent with those statewide requirements. (CD1)

Repeals the authorization of a physician to transmit a treatment plan by mail or facsimile and the requirement that the physician submit the plan to an address or facsimile number provided by the employer. Requires an employer to file a response, either accepting or objecting to a treatment plan, within ten days of receipt. Imposes a monetary penalty if an employer does not file a response within the ten-day period, unless there was good cause for the delay. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file certain documents within the ten-day period. Imposes penalties on employers found to have improperly denied a treatment plan. (CD1)

Amends, for purposes of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's Rent-to-Own Program, the period during which the sales price of a dwelling unit is required to remain fixed from 5 years to a period of up to 10 years. (CD1)

Amends the various requirements in the event of a fetal death, including registration of certain fetal deaths, filing and preparation of a certificate of fetal death, and issuance of a permit for removal, burial, or other disposition. (SD1)