Rep. Luke Evslin

Requires the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health to develop and implement a comprehensive messaging and informational campaign to prevent cannabis use among the State's youth. Requires the Division to establish and enter into contracts with community-based organizations to award grants to prevent substance misuse among youth through evidenced-based prevention programs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summaryHB 942 allocates state funds to the Department of Health for contracting health care services with community-based organizations. This bill directly affects local health organizations that provide services to residents, particularly in underserved communities. The key provision establishes a funding mechanism requiring the Department of Health to use these resources to partner with such organizations for service delivery. The bill was introduced on January 21, 2025, and referred to relevant committees for review.

Maddy summaryHB 846 raises the dollar threshold for the handyman exemption under contractor licensing law from $1,500 to $2,500 per job. This change directly affects small home repair contractors who perform work below the new threshold, allowing them to operate without a state contractor license for those specific jobs. The key provision modifies the existing exemption rule to increase the maximum value of work that qualifies as "handyman" work without requiring licensing. This is a procedural adjustment to the licensing law, not a new policy.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow a person authorized to practice psychology in a compact state in which the person is not licensed.

Increases the buffer zone for restricted use pesticides around schools to one-half mile. Allows the use of restricted use pesticides within the buffer zone as part of invasive species control conducted by the Department of Agriculture or invasive species committees organized under the University of Hawaii Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.

Maddy summaryHB 950 requires all newly constructed state buildings and facilities in the state to install only bi-level lighting systems starting January 1, 2026. Bi-level lighting systems are those that can switch between bright and dim settings to save energy. This bill directly affects state construction projects, contractors, and building planners for new facilities. The key provision mandates this specific lighting standard for all new state construction beginning in 2026, without altering existing building requirements.

Repeals existing law that preempted local ordinances or regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices and nullified and voided any conflicting local laws and regulations. Allows counties to adopt ordinances that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices that do not conflict with and are more stringent than the state law that govern smoking.

Requires a trigger lock for all firearms purchases from a licensed dealer. Requires licensed firearms dealers to provide purchasers with notice regarding the law on firearms storage. Amends the requirements for the secure storage of firearms and establishes fines for violations. Amends the offense of criminally negligent storage of a firearm.

After 1/1/2026, prohibits businesses where food or beverages are packaged and sold on the business' premises for individual consumption from using, selling, or distributing certain disposable or single-use food ware and beverage service items, including items containing PFAS.

Establishes a Desalination Planning Task Force to examine the feasibility of, and develop a plan and timeline for, the use desalination as a source of potable water in the State.