Rep. Dee Morikawa

Expands workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma of the respiratory system; cancer of the buccal cavity, cervix, colon, esophagus, ovary, pharynx, skin, female reproductive organs, including the uterus, endometrium, and fallopian tubes, and thyroid; and malignant melanoma. Specifies that an employer may deny medical benefits under workers' compensation law only if they prove that the cancer or disease was not associated with firefighting duties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Electronic Posting Pilot Project for any county with a population between one hundred thousand and 175,000, to be administered by the county clerk of each participating county. Allows county agencies to satisfy county-wide public notice requirements by posting notices on official county websites, while retaining publication as an option. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHB 2426 authorizes state funds to expand Wailuku River State Park. The bill allocates specific funding for adding new land or facilities to the park. This expansion would directly benefit park visitors and the local community by increasing available recreational space. The bill is currently pending committee review after its introduction on January 27, 2026.

Appropriates funds to the Office of Community Services (OCS) to award grants to certain nonprofit organizations. Establishes an evaluation and selection committee to oversee the awarding of grants. Requires an applicant for a grant to provide certain documentation on activities that qualify for community engagement hours to qualify for the grant. Appropriates funds for positions in OCS and for the Department of the Attorney General to assist OCS in reviewing contracts and monitoring costs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Makes permanent, rather than repealing upon the adoption of relevant administrative rules, the Department of Land and Natural Resources' authority to establish a transaction fee for certain services rendered by the Bureau of Conveyances for each recording in the Bureau of Conveyances and Land Court. Amends the authorized uses of moneys in the Bureau of Conveyances Special Fund. Repeals language that required the Bureau of Conveyances' microfilm fees to be established by rules. Effective 7/1/3026. (SD1)

Requires the Chief Data Officer to enhance the State's open data portal website through the phased development and publishing of an artificial intelligence chatbot and necessary data visualizations on statewide shared data sets to assist the public. Requires the Chief Data Officer to develop a system to evaluate and select artificial intelligence governance tools for use by state departments and agencies and establish a mechanism for reporting and publication of artificial intelligence use cases and artificial intelligence vendors used by the departments and agencies. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Statewide Agricultural Tourism Standards Task Force to develop guidelines for agricultural tourism activities across the state. The task force will be responsible for creating standards that directly affect farmers, ranchers, and businesses involved in agritourism operations. The legislation requires the task force to submit a report to the Legislature outlining its findings and recommendations. This bill focuses on establishing a formal framework for agricultural tourism rather than implementing specific regulations immediately.

Establishes a Disability and Caregiver Support Working Group to explore compliant and fiscally responsible approaches that address the longstanding gap affecting parents and guardians with disabilities whose caregiving capacity may be substantially impaired due to disability or serious medical conditions, while preserving federal funding integrity. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the health care communication needs of patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Establishes the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Establishes an advisory council within the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to advise on environmental and cultural practices within specific developments. Requires reports to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)