Rep. Andrew Garrett

Appropriates funds for the Department of Health to develop and implement a public health and informational campaign; administer grants to prevent substance misuse among youth; and administer grants to treat substance use disorder among youth.

Maddy summaryHB 188 appropriates state funds for capital improvement projects in the 22nd Representative District. The bill directly affects residents and local initiatives within that district by providing financial resources for infrastructure upgrades, such as road repairs or public facility improvements. Its key provision is the allocation of specific funding, with no additional policy changes or requirements beyond the budgetary allocation. The bill is currently in committee referral and has not yet been voted on.

Revises the deadline for a county council to take action on a low- and moderate-income housing project's application from 45 days to 90 days after receipt of the applicable agency's report and the proposed project's preliminary plans and specifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 53) has no substantive details provided in the available context beyond its title and basic procedural history. The official abstract merely states it is a "short form bill relating to the University of Hawaii" without describing specific provisions or policy changes. Without additional information on its content, effects, or key mechanisms, a detailed summary cannot be generated. The bill was introduced on January 16, 2025, and referred to the Higher Education Committee (HED) for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 694 establishes a refundable child tax credit for families with children in the state. This means eligible families could receive money back from the state even if they owed no income tax, directly supporting households with children. The credit applies to tax returns filed for years starting after December 31, 2025. It creates a specific financial benefit tied to the number of qualifying children in a household.

Maddy summaryHB 49 bans the keeping or breeding of whales and dolphins (cetaceans) in captivity, directly affecting aquariums, marine parks, and facilities that house these animals. The bill allows exceptions for specific cases like research, rescue, or rehabilitation efforts. It does not permit captivity for public display or commercial breeding under normal circumstances. This legislation is currently in early stages, having been introduced on January 16, 2025.

Establishes the Hawaii Food Security Special Fund to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit levels to those provided in federal fiscal year 2023. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Resources Development for the establishment of three permanent full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions and the development and implementation of a leadership training module for manager level positions.

Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for enterprise zone program purposes to include retail sales of tangible personal property manufactured and sold in the enterprise zone that is to be used or consumed by the purchaser and not for resale, the processing of value-added agricultural products grown within an enterprise zone, and the provision of professional services by health care professionals in health care related sectors.

No later than January 1, 2026, requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to install and maintain automated external defibrillators in all state buildings, including all public schools. Requires DAGS to establish a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and work with the counties to implement the plan into the counties' emergency service provider protocols. Requires DAGS to provide trainings on the use of automated external defibrillators and the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for state employees and security staff of certain state agencies. Makes appropriations.