Establishes the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2026 and 2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Rep. Andrew Garrett
Sponsored bills
Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to prioritize development of workforce rental and for-sale housing projects for qualified residents. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to adopt administrative rules. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to conduct community outreach on gun violence prevention, develop and administer a grant program for gun violence prevention, and develop and administer a gun violence resource bank. Moves the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission from the Office of the Attorney General to the Department of Law Enforcement. Replaces the Attorney General with the Director of Law Enforcement as Chair of the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission and includes the Attorney General as a commission member. Establishes the Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund and appropriates funds into and out of the special fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD2)
Increases the criminal penalties for the offenses of cruelty to animals in the first and second degree that involve pet animals. Increases the criminal penalty for a second or subsequent offense of causing injury or death to a service animal or law enforcement animal. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Appropriates funds to support educational training programs to expand the State's health care workforce, including funding to support health care certification programs offered in public high schools and education programs that support certified nurse assistants in becoming licensed practical nurses. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys to the Executive Office on Aging. The tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)
Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for reentry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal sister-state relationship between the State of Hawaii and the Prefecture of Yamagata, Japan, recognizing their shared history of cultural exchange and mutual interests in areas like agriculture, tourism, and sustainability. The resolution encourages both regions to collaborate on specific initiatives including culinary and agricultural exchanges, joint cultural events, education and workforce programs, and sustainable development projects focused on climate resilience and rural revitalization. Implementation will be handled through memoranda of understanding between the Governor of Hawaii and Yamagata Prefecture officials, with the goal of strengthening economic, educational, and cultural ties for residents and businesses in both jurisdictions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requests the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to conduct a systemwide audit to identify students who have earned enough credits for an associate degree but have not been awarded one. The audit will focus on students who transferred from community colleges to four-year campuses or those who started at four-year campuses and left before completing their degrees. The university is asked to examine administrative barriers, transfer patterns, and financial factors that may prevent these students from receiving their credentials. The Board of Regents must submit findings and recommendations for establishing degree award pathways to the Legislature by March 2027. This resolution does not directly award degrees but initiates a review process to potentially create new policies for recognizing earned academic credits.
Maddy summaryHB 1733 increases the maximum bond amount authorized under the state's Hula Mae Multifamily Housing Program, allowing more funds to finance affordable rental housing statewide. This directly affects developers building or maintaining low-income housing projects and residents relying on these affordable units. The bill raises the funding ceiling to prevent the program from hitting current limits, ensuring continued support for housing affordability. It does not change eligibility rules but expands available capital for housing projects across the state.