Rep. Terez Amato

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)

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)

Integrates the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into emergency planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. Establishes a Disability Integration Specialist position, to be located in the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, who shall provide programming support for disability community projects that promote accessibility, inclusion, and equity in disaster management. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHB 2171 authorizes the University of Hawaii to engage in business-like activities for educational purposes, directly affecting the university's ability to operate revenue-generating projects tied to student learning. The bill permits UH to run ventures such as student-run businesses, research commercialization, or educational services that generate income while supporting academic goals. Key provisions remove legal barriers preventing the university from conducting these activities under its existing educational mission. This change allows UH to expand practical learning opportunities without requiring separate legislative approvals for each initiative.

Limits mixed-use developments to transit-oriented developments. Repeals the sunset date of Act 45, SLH 2024, thereby making permanent the authority of the counties to share in facilitating the development, construction, financing, refinancing, or other provision of mixed-use developments, including low- and moderate-income housing projects, and issue county bonds before 7/1/2033 for this purpose. (CD1)

Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes prompt payment and financial reporting requirements for professional solicitors that sell donated or collected non-perishable tangible property on behalf of charitable organizations. Prohibits professional solicitors that sell donated or collected non-perishable tangible property from failing to prominently disclose certain information on any collection bin, container, or receptacle used to receive donated or collected non-perishable tangible property or comply with prompt payment, financial reporting, and contract term requirements. (CD1)

Requires the University of Hawaii System to develop, implement, and maintain a publicly accessible, systemwide online dashboard. Requires the dashboard to include and maintain relevant information needed for students and their families for academic decision-making. Requires a preliminary report on 12/1/2026. Requires annual reports to the Legislature beginning 12/1/2027. Requires a supplementary report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2031. Sunsets 6/30/31. (CD1)

Part I: Requires drivers approaching stationary vehicles displaying warning signals to slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed and make a lane change if possible and safe to do so or come to a complete stop if necessary. Part II: Provides certain exemptions from passenger restrictions related to the operation of a pickup truck with a passenger seated in the bed or load-carrying area of the vehicle. Increases the minimum age to ride in the bed or load-carrying area of a pickup truck while in operation from twelve years of age to sixteen years of age. (CD1)

Establishes an exemption from mediation in parentage proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse. (SD1)