Rep. Mark Hashem

Prohibits certain covered educational entities and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation facilities from collecting information regarding citizenship or immigration status or allowing officers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enter certain facilities, except under specific circumstances.

Requires the counties to adopt the Hawaii state building codes no later than one year after its adoption. Authorizes a county with a population in excess of 500,000 to amend its building energy conservation code to require more stringent energy-saving performance.

Maddy summaryHB 318 authorizes Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to operate and approve conservation banks, which are protected land reserves where developers can purchase credits to offset environmental impacts from construction projects. The bill establishes a state-managed system for creating and verifying these conservation areas, directly affecting landowners who might establish banks and developers who need to comply with environmental mitigation requirements. Key provisions require the department to set standards for bank approval, monitor conservation outcomes, and ensure credits accurately represent habitat protection. This policy change would formalize the state's role in overseeing conservation banking as a tool for balancing development with habitat preservation. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 legislative session.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer certain public lands for agricultural use to the Department of Agriculture without approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Agriculture. Requires the Department of Agriculture, upon approval of the Board of Agriculture, to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 38) is a short-form legislative measure relating to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The provided context does not include specific policy details, provisions, or concrete changes the bill would enact. The abstract only states it relates to the department without describing any mechanisms, affected parties, or policy actions. Without additional information on its content, a substantive summary cannot be provided. The bill's current status shows it was introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the next session, but this procedural detail does not describe its policy substance.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, a detailed summary of HB 37's policy provisions cannot be generated. The official abstract states only "Short form bill relating to natural resources" with no specific details about its content, mechanisms, or affected parties. The bill's recent actions (introduced January 2025, carried over to 2026) indicate procedural status but reveal no substantive policy changes. Without additional information on the bill's actual text or provisions, a factual summary meeting the requested criteria is not possible.

Temporarily allows each county, by resolution of its county council, to petition for the redistricting of land from an agricultural district to a rural district through the Land Use Commission's declaratory ruling process. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 471 requires the state Board of Education to create Korean language programs in public schools and allocates funding for these initiatives. The bill directly affects school districts, which would implement the programs, and students who would have access to Korean language learning opportunities. Key provisions include mandating the Board to establish the programs and providing dedicated state funds to support their development and operation. This is a substantive policy change focused on expanding language education options, not a procedural measure.

Defines "isolated wetlands" and "wetlands". Clarifies the definition of "state waters" to include wetlands and isolated wetlands. Requires the Director of Health to determine all wetlands in the State, including whether a wetland is an isolated wetland or is included in the waters of the United States. Prohibit persons from discharging any water pollutant into or at any location that enters state waters.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders and the requirements to obtain the international teacher license. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)