Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to administer grants to retrofit residential properties to enhance resilience against disaster impacts and reduce potential insurance liabilities. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Maddy summaryHB 684 would gradually eliminate the "tip credit," a practice allowing employers to count tips toward meeting the minimum wage requirement for tipped workers. This change would directly affect restaurant servers, bartenders, and other tipped employees, as well as the businesses that employ them. The bill's key mechanism is a phased approach over time, replacing the current system where employers could offset part of the minimum wage with reported tips, ensuring tipped workers receive the full minimum wage without relying on tip counts.
Establishes statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion. Requires each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to divert certain organic waste generated within the county in alignment with established state benchmarks. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Establishes a state-owned bank implementation board within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to determine the need for, potential costs and benefits of, and prerequisites to establishing a state-owned bank. Requires a report to the legislature.
Maddy summaryHB 1265 creates a tax credit for businesses that use recycled or waste materials as inputs in their operations. It directly affects businesses generating or utilizing such materials, allowing them to reduce their state tax liability. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, meaning it would take effect in 2026. This bill establishes a specific mechanism for claiming the credit but does not specify the credit amount or detailed eligibility criteria in the provided abstract. The bill is currently pending in committee review for the 2026 legislative session.
Maddy summaryHB 131 allows state agencies to share specific government records with researchers for approved research projects. This directly affects researchers seeking public data and the agencies managing those records. The bill creates a clear process for disclosures, requiring that research purposes be legitimate and defined in advance. It does not alter existing privacy laws but provides a standardized pathway for accessing government data to support research.
Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes the Statewide Interagency Food Systems Coordination Team and the Interagency Food Systems Working Group within the Department of Agriculture. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to identify all legislative districts in the State in which at least twenty-five per cent of the population consists of Native Hawaiians. Designates these districts as Native Hawaiian notable districts. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds for the Executive Office on Early Learning to contract with third-party providers of family-child interaction learning programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
