Rep. Sue Lee Loy

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for a Non-Potable Water Wells Pilot Program to prepare an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment to drill non-potable water wells on individual parcels at Panaewa Agricultural Park and Panaewa farm lots, under the Department of Agriculture. (CD1)

Requires the Chief Election Officer to provide a system for the electronic filing of nomination papers. Requires that the system for the electronic filing of nomination papers be provided at no additional cost to the filer. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2028. (CD1)

Allows a pathway for foreign medical school graduates to be licensed as physicians that was previously only available to graduates who passed the qualifying examination of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates before 1984. Establishes an alternative pathway for the licensure as physicians for foreign medical graduates who passed certain examinations, possess an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certificate, and have completed two years of post-graduate medical training. (SD1)

Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund, and sunsets the Subaccount on 6/30/2030. Requires the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board to consider the infrastructure needs of transit-supportive density requirements. Requires the strategic plan developed by the Hawaii Interagency Council for Transit-Oriented Development to delineate transit-oriented development areas for each county. (CD1)

Amends covered offender registration laws by expanding the definition of "sexual offense" to include additional sexual offenses from the Penal Code. Provides that the exception to covered offender registry public access requirements for a first-time misdemeanor offense does not apply when the covered offense was committed against a minor. Clarifies that a person who is required to report their location of residence in person every year under the covered offender registration requirements shall report during the thirty-day period following the offender's birthday, rather than from the offender's actual date of birth. Specifies how certain covered offenses are to be tiered for purposes of seeking termination of registration requirements. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHB 133 allocates state funds to the Department of Education to establish surfing as an official interscholastic sport in public high schools. This bill directly affects public high schools by providing resources to develop surfing programs, including equipment, coaching, and competition structures. The key provision is the funding appropriation specifically for creating and supporting school-level surfing teams and events. It aims to expand athletic opportunities for students without requiring new legislation or altering existing sports regulations. The bill is currently under committee review with a recommendation to pass.

Maddy summaryHB 442 allocates state funds specifically for the University of Hawaii, West Oahu to support its pre-nursing pathway program. This bill directly affects students at UH West Oahu who are enrolled in or seeking entry into nursing education. The key provision is the appropriation of dedicated funding to develop and operate this pre-nursing curriculum. The bill focuses on expanding access to nursing education pathways at this campus, without changing broader university policies or regulations.

Beginning 1/1/2026, increases the cigarette tax from 16 cents to 18 cents and amends the disposition of cigarette tax revenues by allocating the increase in the cigarette tax amount to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a portion to be used exclusively for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Effective 12/31/2025. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHCR 171 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii Auditor to assess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). This study is required by state law (HRS § 23-51) before the legislature can consider House Bill 820, which proposes to require insurers to cover CGMs for diabetes management. The Auditor must submit a report by December 2025 detailing potential impacts on patients (including those in rural areas with diabetes), insurers, and state costs. This resolution does not change current coverage but provides data to inform future legislative decisions on CGM mandates.

Authorizes an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination and refer an injured employee for the examination without first obtaining permission from the employee's employer. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)