Authorizes the State and counties to temporarily rehire retired public employees to fill positions identified as unique and critical to government operations.
Allows the court to award attorneys' fees to a prevailing party in an action relating to discriminatory practices in a rental transaction based on source of income.
Prohibits state contractors, prospective state contractors, holders of procurement prequalification certificates, or principals of these groups from making contributions to, or soliciting contributions from their employees or from subcontractors or principals of subcontractors on behalf of, certain candidate committees, noncandidate committees, and political party committees. Requires the Procurement Policy Board to adopt rules to issue prequalification certificates to prospective contractors for public buildings or other public works. Amends the contribution limits for certain individuals and noncandidate committees. Prohibits lobbyists and certain persons related to lobbyists from soliciting contributions from client lobbyists. Increases the administrative fines.
Maddy summaryHB 527 prohibits county governments from altering housing development proposals in ways that would increase project costs. It directly affects county legislative bodies and developers by preventing counties from adding requirements that raise construction expenses. The key provision bans any modifications to housing projects that would make them more expensive for builders. This bill focuses on limiting county-level cost-increasing changes to housing developments, without specifying new requirements or exceptions.
Requires the Department of Health, in consultation with various agencies and professionals, to review rules and practices and propose changes that have the potential to make wastewater systems and cesspool upgrades more affordable without compromising water quality. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
Requires contested cases, environmental assessment cases, or environmental impact statement cases involving renewable energy projects over twenty megawatts in size, except cases that involve any form of incineration, to be appealed from an agency's decision directly to the Hawaii Supreme Court for final decision. Requires the cases to be prioritized and decided expeditiously. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summaryHB 747 allows natural organic reduction (a process that turns human remains into nutrient-rich soil using natural methods) as a legal disposal option for bodies. This bill directly affects individuals and families seeking alternatives to traditional burial or cremation. The key provision establishes a regulatory framework for facilities offering this method, ensuring safety and environmental standards. The bill is currently pending in the legislature, having been introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the next session.
Authorizes certain state government entities to establish a self-certification process for behind-the-meter, customer-sited solar distributed energy resource systems and exempt the systems from the Federal Emergency Management Agency No-Rise/No-Impact declaration requirements under certain circumstances.
Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop a model that assesses the fiscal impacts of land use development projects and regional infrastructure investments. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires, and appropriates funds for, the Department of Education to establish a standards-based Water Safety Education Pilot Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
