Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Makes permanent the amendments made by Act 163, SLH 2023, to the state earned income tax credit and refundable food/excise tax credit. Amends the income thresholds and credit amounts for the low-income household renters tax credit and refundable food/excise tax credit. Amends the state earned income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.
Maddy summaryHB 617 appropriates state funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College, effective July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects UH Maui College students and nursing education in Maui County by creating a new academic pathway for nursing degrees. Its key provision is the allocation of dedicated state funding to develop and operate this specific degree program. The bill does not alter existing nursing regulations or licensure requirements, focusing solely on program establishment through state appropriations.
Requires each public school to implement a policy to prohibit students from using cellular phones and other wireless communication devices during school hours, subject to exceptions for education, health, and emergencies.
Maddy summaryHB 149 requires domestic and foreign corporations operating in the state to provide shareholders with annual reports detailing the corporation's independent political expenditures and contributions. This directly affects corporations that make political spending and their shareholders, who gain transparency into how company funds are used in political activities. The key provision mandates that corporations disclose specific details about political spending to shareholders annually, rather than reporting to government agencies. The bill focuses on increasing shareholder oversight of corporate political spending without altering campaign finance rules for candidates or political committees.
Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process. Requires the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator to report to the Legislature on the streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the terms of members of the Legislature, as provided by law, for terms beginning after the general election of 2028.
Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission's Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide information and technical assistance about available energy efficiency programs to recipients of the program. Appropriates funds.
Allows the Department of Health to use money in the Deposit Beverage Container Deposit Special Fund to deploy reverse vending machines. Repeals certain exemptions for beverage dealers from the requirement to operate redemption centers. Allows for the establishment of regional centers for the redemption of refillable beverage containers but not as substitutes for dealers' means to receive deposit beverage containers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that may be claimed for the household and dependent care services tax credit for five years. Repeals 6/30/2030.
