Requires the department of education to prohibit cell phone use during the instructional day, prohibit student access to social media through the school's internet, and implement a social media education campaign. Creates exemptions for students requiring accommodations, emergency situations, and teacher authorizations.
Designates the neighborhood commission as the appropriate oversight authority for application of the sunshine law to neighborhood boards. Authorizes neighborhood boards to discuss official government reports without placing it on the agenda, provided that no decision-making can be made.
Establishes a general excise tax exemption for the gross proceeds or income from the manufacture, production, packaging, and sale of diapers. Establishes a surcharge on the general excise tax and use tax for the sale or use of luxury cars.
Maddy summaryHB 1441 creates a new criminal offense for "organized retail theft," defined as coordinated thefts involving multiple people or large-scale operations targeting retail businesses. It establishes specific penalties for this offense, including potential fines and imprisonment. The bill also mandates the creation of an organized retail theft task force to investigate and address such incidents. This legislation directly affects retail businesses, law enforcement agencies, and individuals committing organized theft. The task force will coordinate efforts between state and local authorities to tackle this specific type of crime.
Maddy summaryHB 1340 makes it a more serious offense to commit any crime against a person aged 60 or older, regardless of the perpetrator's intent. The bill establishes "strict liability," meaning the crime is automatically treated as aggravated solely because the victim was elderly. This directly affects older adults (60+) who are victims of crimes and the individuals who commit those crimes. The bill is newly introduced (first reading on January 23, 2025) and currently referred to committees for review.
Establishes the Insurance Affordability Assistance Pilot Program within the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to assist eligible homeowners with sudden increases in property insurance premiums. Sunsets 6/30/2028.
Maddy summaryHB 1306 creates the Kupuna Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program through Hawaii's Housing Finance and Development Corporation. It directly affects Hawaii seniors aged 62 and older who own homes by allowing them to convert home equity into mortgage payments without selling their property. The program provides a state-administered option for eligible homeowners to access funds tied to their home equity while retaining ownership. This establishes a new policy mechanism under state housing finance authority, distinct from federal programs.
Expands programming and training for the comprehensive offender re-entry program under the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to reduce the rate of recidivism and increase inmate marketability and workforce readiness. Appropriates funds.
Removes from the standard condominium proxy form the option of giving a proxy vote to the board of directors of a condominium association as a whole or to those directors present at an association meeting.
Establishes an expedited procedure to remove persons from a property who are not tenants or former tenants. Establishes criminal offenses for persons who illegally occupy and damage property, for making a false statement to detain real property, and for fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property.
