Rep. Mark Hashem

Increases the scope of insurance fraud and certain offenses. Augments offenses by contractors and insurers during a declared emergency. Clarifies the penalties for the offense of insurance fraud and the capabilities and operations of the Insurance Fraud Investigations Branch, including the annual report to the Legislature and the protection of sensitive information. Adds protection for insurance fraud whistleblowers. Authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to establish a centralized database for authorized agencies to track insurance fraud data. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summaryHB 2422 allocates state funds for capital improvement projects within the Nineteenth Representative District. It directly affects residents and local infrastructure in that district by providing financial resources for physical upgrades, such as building repairs or facility enhancements. The bill’s sole mechanism is the appropriation of dedicated funding, with no additional requirements or program details specified in the abstract. It is currently in early legislative stages, having been introduced and passed first reading in January 2026.

Prohibits the sale of nonprescription diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building to any person under eighteen years of age. Requires retail establishments and delivery sellers to follow certain protocols regarding certain products to prevent access by minors to the restricted products.

Requires cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents. Requires cash transactions that total $0.01 or $0.02 to be rounded up to $0.05. Exempts transactions in which payment is made by demand or negotiable instrument, electronic fund transfer, check, gift card, money order, credit card, or other like instrument or method.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to request information related to easements prior to any transfer of certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Requires approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity and an approved feasible and funded action plan before pasture lands are removed for reforestation or other public purposes.

Exempts commercial measuring devices utilized in taxicabs from the requirement that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Measurement Standards Branch inspect and test all measurement standards and measuring devices.

Requires the Board of Education and collective bargaining units to calculate student-to-teacher ratios for class sizes according to a prescribed method to promote quality education and positive student-teacher interactions. Informs parents if changes to class sizes are needed.

Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to establish a Community Action Center in Chinatown. Expenditure contingent upon the City and County of Honolulu providing matching funds. Appropriation.

Authorizes the use of conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in a habitat conservation plan and associated incidental take license. Amends the membership and scope of authority for the Endangered Species Recovery Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2008 establishes a new tax bracket for higher-income earners in the state, applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2029. This bill directly affects residents with higher incomes by subjecting additional earnings to a new, higher tax rate. The key provision creates a specific income threshold above which the new tax rate applies, altering how state income tax is calculated for those earning above that level. The bill is currently in early legislative stages, having been introduced and passed its first reading in January 2026.