Rep. Mahina Poepoe

Repeals the requirement to use the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program Trust Fund if the Director elects to accept deposits from contributors instead of sending deposits directly to the ABLE program manager. Authorizes the Director of Finance to expend moneys in the trust fund to provide incentive payments to Hawaii public school ABLE account owners. Appropriates funds for incentive payments to Hawaii public school ABLE account owners and to fund a position to provide statewide outreach, advocacy, and relationship management for the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires health insurers and mutual benefit societies to provide coverage for traditional native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices offered through a Federally Qualified Health Center or a Native Hawaiian Health Care System.

Prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of any waste or disposal facility on land that is near or above a significant aquifer as determined by the Department of Health. Reduces the required buffer zone around waste or disposal facilities.

Establishes a two-year pilot program that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to provide free school lunch to all students enrolled at a department school. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals on 6/30/2027.

Appropriates funds for a one-time hazard pay bonus to state officers and employees in bargaining units 5, 6, and 7, and their excluded counterparts under certain conditions.

Requires the Executive Office on Early Learning to establish an Imagination Library of Hawaii Program to provide one free book each month to children from birth through five years of age who reside in the State. Appropriates funds.

Clarifies and strengthens the State's protections against sex-based harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation that occur in public schools, public charter schools, or at the University of Hawaii, including discrimination based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions. Establishes procedures for investigations and decision-making. Requires mandatory reporting by certain employees.

Allows the Department of Human Services to administer and provide public assistance to eligible residents of the State during a Governor-Declared State of Emergency.

Maddy summaryHB 183 would allow qualifying taxpayers who claim a dependent under 18 to receive an additional state Earned Income Tax Credit. This directly affects low-income individuals and families with children or other dependents under age 18. The bill's key provision adds a new credit amount specifically for households with qualifying young dependents. It does not change the existing base Earned Income Tax Credit structure for taxpayers without under-18 dependents.

Maddy summaryHB 124 establishes a 10-year deadline after which land surveyors cannot be sued for civil claims related to their work. This means clients or property owners would no longer be able to file lawsuits against surveyors for errors or omissions after a decade has passed. The bill directly affects land surveyors (by limiting their legal liability window) and their clients (by setting a clear time limit for claims). It creates a fixed statute of repose, replacing any longer or undefined time periods under current law.