Rep. Gene Ward

Maddy summaryHB 283 would eliminate the state individual income tax for all residents, directly affecting every person who files a state income tax return. The bill's key provision removes the requirement for individuals to pay tax on their earnings, effectively replacing the current tax structure with a different revenue source (though specifics aren't detailed in the abstract). As a newly introduced bill (first reading passed January 17, 2025), it remains pending further committee review and has not yet become law.

Creates the offense of urinating or defecating in public. Provides penalties for public urination or defecation. Requires mental health evaluation and supportive services for a person experiencing homelessness who is arrested for urinating or defecating in public places.

Maddy summaryHB 575 creates a new income tax deduction specifically for tips received by tipped employees, such as restaurant servers and bartenders. This means workers can subtract their tip earnings from their taxable income, reducing the amount of income subject to state income tax. The bill directly affects service industry workers who rely on tips as a significant part of their compensation. The key provision establishes a clear, stand-alone deduction for tip income in the state's tax code.

Establishes the Office of Entrepreneurship. Creates a program in partnership with the Hawaii film and creative industries development special fund. Appropriates moneys to establish the Office of Entrepreneurship.

Provides that a new certificate of birth issued by the State shall include a designation of the sex of the person born, based on the genitalia of the person. Authorizes amendments of designations of sex on certificates of birth, provided that the birth registrant is an adult, and a new designation is based on the genitalia of the birth registrant, as confirmed by a physician or physician's assistant. Requires certain original certificates to be unsealed and new certificates to be marked as amended with regard to sex designation.

Requires the Department of Education to establish rules for the procurement of goods and services related to the administration of food programs at public schools that incorporate a geographic preference for unprocessed locally grown and locally raised food products.

Requires the office of legislative analyst to produce fiscal notes on all fiscal bills. Prohibits a committee from making a decision on a fiscal bill without a fiscal note. Mandates that fiscal notes be made available to the public. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summaryHB 522 creates a monthly tax holiday for small businesses in the state by waiving the general excise tax on the first Saturday of every month. This directly affects small businesses that pay the state's general excise tax on transactions. The bill establishes a recurring, automatic exemption for these businesses on specific dates each month. The policy change would reduce their tax burden on those designated Saturdays without requiring additional applications.

Maddy summaryHB 507 appropriates funds for a pilot grant program to help property owners comply with cesspool regulations. It directly affects property owners in areas with cesspools by providing financial assistance through a limited pilot project, not by changing existing rules. The bill does not create new requirements but allocates money to test a compliance support model. This is a procedural funding measure, not a policy change. (1 sentence summary for a procedural bill)

Establishes the Hawaii Space Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to promote innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace. Appropriates moneys.