Rep. Dee Morikawa

Clarifies that the Governor's and mayors' emergency management powers shall be consistent with the state constitution. Clarifies the scope of the comprehensive emergency management plan. Clarifies the powers of the Governor and mayors to extend or terminate a state of emergency and local state of emergency, respectively. Shortens the duration of price control periods from ninety-six hours to seventy-two hours. (CD1)

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires roasted coffee, instant coffee, and ready-to-drink coffee beverages that contain Hawaiʻi-grown and Hawaiʻi-processed coffee blended with coffee of another regional origin to contain no less than fifty-one per cent coffee by weight from the Hawaiʻi geographic origin. Exempts retailers that do not package roasted coffee, instant coffee, or ready-to-drink coffee beverages from liability for the sale of roasted coffee, instant coffee, or ready-to-drink coffee beverages that use a label or advertisement in violation of the coffee labeling law. (CD1)

Authorizes the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to appoint an organization as the limited owner of a cemetery, under certain circumstances, for the purposes of filing complaints and engaging in certain security and perpetual care activities for the cemetery. Requires an appointed limited owner of a cemetery to submit annual progress reports to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. (CD1)

Authorizes a state department, division, or agency, rather than the Department of Human Resources Development, to conduct a minimum qualification review of applicants for vacant positions within the department, division, or agency. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to provide state departments, divisions, and agencies the applications received for vacancies under certain circumstances. (CD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill allows farmers and land managers to use fine-meshed nets to protect plants from invasive species under specific conditions. The measure aims to provide a practical tool for controlling non-native plants that threaten local agriculture and ecosystems. By permitting this method, the legislation seeks to support plant protection efforts while addressing the spread of invasive species.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for Kaiapuni programs and the establishment of three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) Kaiapuni education curriculum specialist II positions and ten full-time equivalent (10.0 FTE) Kaiapuni classroom teacher positions. (CD1)

Allows any burial council member whose term has expired to continue in office as a holdover member until the member's reappointment to a second term is confirmed or a successor is nominated and appointed. Prohibits holdover members from holding office beyond the end of the fourth regular session of the legislature following the expiration of the member's term of office. (SD2)

Amends the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended, to increase the loan limit for direct loans provided by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from fifty percent to seventy-five percent of the maximum single residence loan amount allowed in Hawaiʻi by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Federal Housing Administration. Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to provide financial literacy education for all borrowers. (SD2)

Maddy summaryHB 2626 outlines specific findings that the Board of Land and Natural Resources must make before leasing a government-owned Hawaiian fishpond. This requirement ensures that the board evaluates particular criteria, such as the fishpond's condition and intended use, prior to granting a lease agreement. The bill directly impacts the state agency responsible for managing these cultural and natural resources and the parties seeking to lease them. By establishing these mandatory findings, the legislation aims to add a layer of review to the leasing process for these significant sites.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Department of Education to support health care workforce development programs, specifically the public high school health care workforce certificate program and glidepath program for certified nurse aides. Appropriates funds to renovate and equip certain public high school classrooms to be used for health care training. (CD1)