Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys to the Executive Office on Aging. The tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)
Maddy summaryHCR 163 is a non-binding resolution urging the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to create an annual festival celebrating Pacific Island cultures and arts. It directly addresses the Foundation (with consultation from other agencies), inspired by the success of the 2024 FestPAC event that drew over 500,000 visitors. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but requests the Foundation establish this recurring event to foster cultural appreciation among Pacific nations. It is procedural in nature, focusing on symbolic recognition rather than policy change.
Establishes the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2026 and 2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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)
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)
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 109) clarifies that parental consent is not legally required for publishing student names or photos in school-sponsored student media (like yearbooks or newspapers). It directs Hawaii's Department of Education to update its Student Publication/Audio/Video Release Form and website to remove language suggesting parental signatures are needed, aligning with the existing Hawaii Student Journalism Protection Act (Act 24, 2022). The resolution supports student journalists' First Amendment rights by emphasizing that FERPA restrictions do not apply to student media production, and it requests DOE to inform school administrators that prior parental consent is unnecessary for student publications. This affects school administrators, student media advisers, and student journalists across Hawaii public schools.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 105) clarifies that parental consent is not legally required for publishing student names or photos in school-sponsored student media (like yearbooks or newspapers), as current Hawaii law already protects student press freedom under the Hawaii Student Journalism Protection Act. It directs the Department of Education to update its Student Publication Release Form and website to remove misleading language suggesting parental signatures are needed, and to inform school administrators about this policy. The resolution specifically addresses confusion caused by FERPA (privacy law) being inappropriately applied to student journalism, which is protected under existing state law. It does not create new legal requirements but aligns school practices with current protections for student journalists. The resolution directly affects Hawaii public school administrators, student media advisers, and student journalists.
Maddy summaryHCR 73 is a non-binding resolution urging the University of Hawaii President and Board of Regents to create a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. It addresses a gap where Maui nursing students currently complete associate degrees but often cannot complete BSN degrees locally due to limited enrollment in existing transfer programs or needing to leave Maui. The resolution highlights Maui’s growing healthcare needs and available clinical placements at local facilities as key reasons to establish the program on campus. It directly affects Maui nursing students, healthcare providers needing qualified staff, and the University of Hawaii Maui College, which would develop the program with allocated resources. The resolution does not create new law but requests the university take action to expand local nursing education.
Maddy summaryHCR 103 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's counties to adopt local zoning rules requiring agricultural landowners to sign and record declarations acknowledging state and county land use rules and penalties for noncompliance. It directly affects owners of land zoned for agriculture (which covers nearly 2 million acres statewide but has only about 24% actively used for crops or grazing). The resolution recommends counties require these declarations - similar to Maui’s existing practice - and provide landowners with information about farm mentoring programs to encourage active farming. It does not create new laws but seeks to increase agricultural land use by making landowners formally aware of requirements. The resolution cites data showing significant underuse of agricultural-zoned land as its key justification.
