Rep. Nadine Nakamura

Authorizes the Hawaii Community Development Authority to cooperate with or assist public and private sector entities to engage in projects that improve the State. Amends the membership of the HCDA board of directors. Establishes the Transit-oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement Program under HCDA. Repeals the Transit-oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Authorizes HCDA to issue bonds to finance the development of infrastructure outside of HCDA's community development districts. (CD1)

Permits the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to enter into contracts with eligible employers or registered apprenticeship programs in the private sector to provide on-the-job training to eligible interns. Establishes a state internship and workforce development program. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to collaborate with the Department of Human Resources Development for placement of interns in state executive branch departments, agencies, and programs. Provides that the State shall be the responsible employer for purposes of workers' compensation coverage for students or recent graduates in the on-the-job-training work experience program, subject to certain limitations. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Beginning July 1, 2025, extends the term of the Oversight Coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Authorizes the Hawaii Correctional System Commission to review the Coordinator's performance and make a recommendation to the Governor as to whether the Coordinator should be retained. Clarifies that the Oversight Coordinator has the general authority to inspect agencies and correctional facilities without notice. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHB 300 allocates state funds for the daily operations and major capital projects (like building maintenance) of the Executive Branch for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. It directly affects state government agencies that rely on this funding to run services and maintain facilities. The bill provides the necessary budget authority for these specific fiscal periods without changing existing laws or creating new programs. This is a routine funding measure, not a policy change.

Appropriates moneys to fund the operating expenses of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the fiscal biennium beginning on 7/1/2025, and ending on 6/30/2027. (CD1)

Part I: Renames the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Department) and the Board of Agriculture as the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Part II: Establishes a Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity. Part III: Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Part IV: Authorizes the Department to establish transitional facilities. Requires the Department to certify and train biosecurity compliance auditors to inspect imported plants and animals. Requires inspection of various items transported interisland. Increases penalties for illegally transporting plants, animals, and microorganisms. Part V: Authorizes the Department to enter into government‑industry agreements for readiness and response to unwanted organisms in the State. Authorizes biosecurity and pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests. Requires the Department to establish a pest dashboard by 12/1/2025. Part VI: Authorizes the Department to adopt rules to establish and enforce the Plant Care Component Program. Authorizes the Department to assess administrative penalties for the enforcement of the Plant Care Component Program. Part VII: Transfers the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department. Part VIII: Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHB 401 creates one additional district court judge position in the Third Circuit. This measure directly affects the Third Circuit court system by adding a new judicial position to handle caseloads. The bill establishes a concrete staffing change without altering laws or policies, simply increasing the number of judges available in that specific judicial district. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 3 sentences as required.)

Maddy summaryHB 399 establishes one additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit (CD1). This bill directly affects the First Circuit court system by adding a new judicial position to address caseload needs. The key provision is the creation of this new judgeship, with no other substantive policy changes outlined. The bill is currently pending in committee after receiving a recommendation to pass with amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 400 appropriates funding for the state Judiciary for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, covering court operations, judicial salaries, and related services. It directly affects the judicial branch, including courts, judges, and court staff, by providing financial resources for their operations during this period. The bill does not create new laws or policies but ensures continued funding for existing judicial functions. It passed unanimously in committee with no opposing votes.

Increases the rate of compensation and maximum allowable amounts per case for court-appointed counsel and guardians ad litem in family court proceedings. (CD1)