Authorizes the cultivation of vegetable gardens on properties within planned community associations and condominiums. Prohibits planned community associations and condominiums from prohibiting or restricting the cultivation of vegetable gardens via their association documents.
Maddy summaryHB 1306 creates the Kupuna Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program through Hawaii's Housing Finance and Development Corporation. It directly affects Hawaii seniors aged 62 and older who own homes by allowing them to convert home equity into mortgage payments without selling their property. The program provides a state-administered option for eligible homeowners to access funds tied to their home equity while retaining ownership. This establishes a new policy mechanism under state housing finance authority, distinct from federal programs.
Expands programming and training for the comprehensive offender re-entry program under the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to reduce the rate of recidivism and increase inmate marketability and workforce readiness. Appropriates funds.
Beginning 7/1/26, requires any public or private entity that operates a public lot, including a business lot, that provides more than 25 parking spaces to increase the number of federally mandated parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities by a minimum of one or fifty per cent, whichever is greater.
Establishes a tax credit for landlords who charge below-market rent and assesses an additional privilege tax on landowners who charge above-market rent, under certain conditions. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to determine median market rent for rental units by geographic area for the purposes of the below-market rent tax credit and above-market rent tax.
Maddy summaryHB 1268 would expand family leave coverage to include an employee's domestic partner and the child of that domestic partner. Currently, most family leave policies cover spouses and biological children, but this bill would extend eligibility to domestic partners and their children under the same leave provisions. The bill is currently pending committee review after its January 2025 introduction. It does not change existing coverage for spouses or biological children.
Maddy summaryHB 1272 proposes establishing Hawaii's Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, administered by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. The program would provide a structured pathway for new educators to gain classroom experience while earning a salary, directly affecting aspiring teachers seeking to enter the profession. Key provisions include appropriating state funds to support the program and requiring the Teacher Standards Board to develop standards for the apprenticeship model. This bill creates a new concrete policy option for teacher recruitment and training in Hawaii.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires that each Department of Education public school student earn 2 credits in Hawaiian language as a graduation requirement. Establishes a 2-year pilot program for Hawaiian language instruction at a central Oahu elementary school and Nanakuli High and Intermediate School. Appropriates funds.
Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a comprehensive plan for the establishment of a universal, single payer health care system to replace all other health care coverage in the State, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Prepaid Health Care Act. Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as the Hawaii Care program under the Hawaii Health Authority to take effect one hundred eighty days after the approval of waivers from certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the State's Medicaid plan. Appropriates funds.
Requires all accident and health or sickness insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations operating in the State to adopt policies, procedures, and criteria for approving or denying requests for prior authorization that are the equivalent to the guidelines for prior authorization established by Medicare.
