Rep. Mahina Poepoe

Maddy summaryHB 1268 would expand family leave coverage to include an employee's domestic partner and the child of that domestic partner. Currently, most family leave policies cover spouses and biological children, but this bill would extend eligibility to domestic partners and their children under the same leave provisions. The bill is currently pending committee review after its January 2025 introduction. It does not change existing coverage for spouses or biological children.

Maddy summaryHB 1272 proposes establishing Hawaii's Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, administered by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. The program would provide a structured pathway for new educators to gain classroom experience while earning a salary, directly affecting aspiring teachers seeking to enter the profession. Key provisions include appropriating state funds to support the program and requiring the Teacher Standards Board to develop standards for the apprenticeship model. This bill creates a new concrete policy option for teacher recruitment and training in Hawaii.

Maddy summaryHB 1489 allocates state funds to the Department of Human Services (DHS) to administer core homelessness services. It directly supports homeless service providers and individuals experiencing homelessness by funding essential programs like emergency shelter and basic assistance. The bill does not create new programs but directs DHS to use these funds for existing core services. The bill was introduced on January 23, 2025, and referred to committees for further review.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires that each Department of Education public school student earn 2 credits in Hawaiian language as a graduation requirement. Establishes a 2-year pilot program for Hawaiian language instruction at a central Oahu elementary school and Nanakuli High and Intermediate School. Appropriates funds.

Clarifies the level of environmental restoration that owners and operators of underground storage tanks or tank systems must satisfy in the event of a confirmed release of jet fuel. Specifies the restoration condition and quality acceptable by the Department of Health shall include the complete removal of all jet fuel, including jet fuel additives and all compounds resulting from the degradation of jet fuel or jet fuel additives, or the reaction of jet fuel or jet fuel additives with water or other chemicals. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that any detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release.

Establishes a tax credit for individual and corporate taxpayers who install and place in service certain projects that support environmental sustainability.

Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a comprehensive plan for the establishment of a universal, single payer health care system to replace all other health care coverage in the State, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Prepaid Health Care Act. Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as the Hawaii Care program under the Hawaii Health Authority to take effect one hundred eighty days after the approval of waivers from certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the State's Medicaid plan. Appropriates funds.

Requires all accident and health or sickness insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations operating in the State to adopt policies, procedures, and criteria for approving or denying requests for prior authorization that are the equivalent to the guidelines for prior authorization established by Medicare.

Establishes a carbon displacement tax credit for taxpayers of locally produced goods. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to certify tax credit amounts.

Proposes an amendment to article X, section 1, of the Hawaii State Constitution to require that the statewide public school system be thorough and efficient.