Rep. Mahina Poepoe

By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies that identify nonpublic areas, establish procedures for warrant verification and staff response, prohibit the collection of certain immigration-status data, and require annual staff training and certain multilingual notices. Requires the Attorney General to publish model policies. (CD1)

Authorizes the State to enter into nonbinding international cooperative agreements with national governments; national ministries, departments, or agencies; provincial or regional governments; or international intergovernmental bodies relevant to the interests of the State or an international partner. Expands the definition of sister-state or province partnerships to include a partnership between the State and a prefecture or foreign nation. Requires the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission to evaluate how a sister-state or province partnership or international cooperative agreement will enhance certain key state initiatives. (CD1)

Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to establish a Central and Leeward Oahu Care Home Community Resilience Pilot Program to assist eligible care home facilities to implement structural and operational resilience improvements. Requires a report to the Legislature. Sunsets on 6/30/2029. (CD1)

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors that are not crimes of violence, or for offenses that are not crimes of violence punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment for an offense that is not a crime of violence to apply to the trial court for reconsideration of the sentence to conform to the revised maximum penalty. (CD1)

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)

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.

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)

Maddy summaryHB 2152 clarifies that dog owners are legally liable when their dogs attack livestock, such as cattle or sheep. It directly affects dog owners and livestock farmers by establishing clearer legal responsibility for such incidents. The bill increases penalties for owners whose dogs cause harm to livestock and strengthens enforcement mechanisms to hold them accountable. This changes current liability rules by making owner negligence more punishable through specific fines or other sanctions.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to provide administrative support to the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council. Requires the chairperson of the Council to be selected by the voting members from among all voting and nonvoting members on an annual and rotating basis. Requires the Council to meet quarterly. (CD1)