Rep. Luke Evslin

Maddy summaryHB 110 adjusts existing targets and deadlines for the Department of Education to source locally grown food products for schools. It modifies the current timeline and specific goals the department must meet for purchasing locally produced agricultural items. The bill directly affects schools and the Department of Education by changing how they implement local food procurement requirements. These changes streamline the process without introducing new funding or penalties for compliance. The bill passed committee with amendments and is now moving forward in the legislative process.

Maddy summaryHB 133 allocates state funds to the Department of Education to establish surfing as an official interscholastic sport in public high schools. This bill directly affects public high schools by providing resources to develop surfing programs, including equipment, coaching, and competition structures. The key provision is the funding appropriation specifically for creating and supporting school-level surfing teams and events. It aims to expand athletic opportunities for students without requiring new legislation or altering existing sports regulations. The bill is currently under committee review with a recommendation to pass.

Increases the valuation of development that determines the necessity of a special management area minor permit to $750,000, under certain conditions, and a special management area use permit to $750,000, with both $750,000 valuation thresholds to be adjusted every five years for inflation. (CD1)

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires rental vessels to be registered and numbered with the Department of Land and Natural Resources before being rented or leased, or offered for rent or lease, by the public for transiting the navigable waters of a state park. Requires registration fees to be deposited into the State Parks Special Fund. (CD1)

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a statewide needs assessment to determine what will be needed to reduce waste generation, increase reuse, improve recycling collection services, and expand local processing of materials through an extended producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products. Establishes an advisory council to review the draft needs assessment and propose recommendations throughout the assessment process. Requires the Department of Health to hold a public hearing on the draft needs assessment and complete and submit the needs assessment to the Legislature by 12/31/2027. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Beginning 1/1/2026, increases the cigarette tax from 16 cents to 18 cents and amends the disposition of cigarette tax revenues by allocating the increase in the cigarette tax amount to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a portion to be used exclusively for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Effective 12/31/2025. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 345 proposes to establish the ‘ōpae ‘ula as the official state shrimp of Hawaii. This designation aims to support the protection of anchialine pool ecosystems throughout the islands, which are the natural habitat for the ‘ōpae ‘ula.

Maddy summaryHCR 27 is a Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution requesting the state's congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address unequal export rules for agricultural products. It specifically highlights that Hawaii faces restrictions similar to U.S. territories, requiring USDA approval for most fruit, vegetable, and flower exports to the mainland - unlike other states. The resolution notes Hawaii's export petitions often wait years behind foreign countries' requests, causing significant delays for local growers. This bill does not change regulations but formally asks federal lawmakers to advocate for Hawaii's agricultural sector to achieve parity with other states.

Requires the design of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide that a number of the parking stalls, as determined by the Department of Accounting and General Services, shall be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Establishes the Accessory Dwelling Unit Financing and Deed Restriction Program to allocate funds to the counties for the purchase of equity in an accessory dwelling unit by the State. Specifies eligible homeowners or homebuyers for the Program to finance construction costs, development costs, and non-reoccurring closing costs associated with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit and purchase deed restrictions on the property. Appropriates moneys for infrastructure projects. Sunsets 1/1/2031. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD2)