Creates a framework for the licensure of rural emergency hospitals at the state level by the Department of Health. Clarify Medicaid reimbursement policies for hospitals transitioning from a critical access hospital designation to a rural emergency hospital designation. (CD1)
Maddy summaryHB 862 allows school districts to use motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for student transportation services, provided they meet specific safety and operational requirements. This bill directly affects public school districts that rely on transportation services for students. The key provision expands the types of vehicles eligible for school bus use beyond standard school buses, while requiring compliance with established safety standards. The bill passed committee with amendments in February 2025 but has not yet become law.
Expands the offense of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee to include roasted coffee. Imposes a mandatory minimum fine of $7,500 for each separate offense of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee. (CD1)
Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics, and an environmental health and safety officer staff position. (CD1)
Requires the Department of Transportation or appropriate county to scan any cat or dog carcass found on a state or county roadway for a microchip, record certain information, report that information to the appropriate county animal services or animal service contractors, and make reasonable efforts to contact the registered owner. Authorizes the Department of Transportation and each county to coordinate with each other to share scanner resources or protocols. (CD1)
Clarifies that Act 130, SLH 2024, which amended the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, takes effect on the earlier of the date of the Secretary of the Interior's notification letter that Act 130 does not require congressional approval, or on the date that the United States Congress approval becomes law. (SD1)
Maddy summaryHB 622 changes the reporting schedule for the Department of Education. It specifically moves the due date for the department's annual computer science legislative report from June 30 to October 31.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 345 proposes to establish the ‘ōpae ‘ula as the official state shrimp of Hawaii. This designation aims to support the protection of anchialine pool ecosystems throughout the islands, which are the natural habitat for the ‘ōpae ‘ula.
Increases the domiciliary care rates for certain providers and clarifies that the needs allowance and domiciliary care rates are included in the state supplemental payment ceiling amounts. Effective 10/1/2025. (CD1)
Maddy summaryHCR 200 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaii's State Department of Agriculture and Maui County's Agriculture Department to address axis deer overpopulation. It highlights that overgrazing by axis deer harms native plants that prevent erosion and natural disasters, while noting these deer represent a potential food source. The resolution specifically calls for making USDA-certified meat inspections more accessible and affordable for local hunters, increasing the number of USDA-certified inspectors for game mammals, and establishing a joint task force to develop a venison processing and distribution program. The task force must report by November 2025 with findings and recommendations, including potential legislation. This resolution does not create new laws but formally requests specific actions from state and county agencies.
