Rep. Mahina Poepoe

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for reentry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHCR 142 is a non-binding resolution urging the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Transportation to expand the Kāhea Airport Greetings Program. Currently, this program displays children's artwork at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oahu. The resolution specifically requests that the program be extended to all neighbor island airports - including Kahului, Līhuʻe, Kona, Hilo, Molokaʻi, and Lanai - to showcase student art statewide. It also encourages securing $888,889 in funding for 2026-2027 to support this expansion, aiming to promote Hawaiian culture and provide equitable exposure for island students' work. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests agency action.

Maddy summaryHCR 69 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's State Fire Marshal to convene a working group focused on wildfire risk reduction. The group will study regulations defining property owner obligations for vegetation management on public and private land and establish minimum safety standards, training, and qualifications for tree trimmers near electric utility lines. This follows the 2023 Maui wildfires, which highlighted risks from vegetation near power lines and high fatality rates in tree trimming work. The working group will make recommendations to inform future regulations, but the resolution itself does not create new laws.

Establishes the Health Information Technology Infrastructure Grant Program within the Department of Health, to be administered by the State Health Planning and Development Agency, to support health information technology infrastructure and the implementation of interoperable health information technologies in federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program centers, and Native Hawaiian health centers. Appropriates funds for the grant program. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHB 596 clarifies the specific types of events that qualify as disasters or emergencies under the state's emergency management system. It directly affects emergency management agencies and local governments by defining the scope of events triggering emergency protocols. The bill establishes clear criteria for what constitutes a disaster or emergency, replacing vague terms with specific examples. It takes effect on July 1, 2050.

Authorizes the Department of Education to subsidize all tuition and mandatory fees for a resident student enrolled in a 4-year college campus of the University of Hawaii System with an education program or that offers an education degree for the semester or term that the student enrolls in a State-Approved Teacher Education Program under certain conditions. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD2)

Establishes labeling requirements for certain premoistened nonwoven disposable wipes. Requires certain manufacturers of covered products to submit for approval, their "DO NOT FLUSH" label notices and symbols to the United States Environmental Protection Agency by 1/1 2026. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to establish a five-year Community Land Trust Equity Pilot Program to provide community land trusts with a line of credit to fund the acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, or construction of housing for certain households. Requires reports to the Legislature regarding the pilot program. Appropriates funds from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for establishment of the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot program on 6/30/2030. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHB 429 appropriates state funds to hire teachers and teacher assistants, and to purchase equipment and services for public preschool programs. It directly affects public preschools by providing resources to expand staffing and facilities. The bill's key provision is the allocation of dedicated funding, which will become available starting July 1, 2050. This legislation focuses on increasing early learning capacity through financial support, without changing existing program rules.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 68) requests the Mayor, City Council, and Parks Department of Honolulu to create a dedicated animal education and training complex within Kalaeloa parklands. It directly affects Honolulu city officials and pet owners in Kapolei and District 3 (Waipahu to Waianae), where current park restrictions limit pet-friendly spaces and off-leash options. The resolution specifies the complex should include secure indoor facilities, storage for animal club equipment (like agility gear), bathrooms, and food prep areas - similar to Ala Moana’s McCoy Pavilion. As a procedural request (not a binding law), it aims to address gaps in public pet recreation without mandating action.