Rep. Andrew Garrett

Establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts. Establishes the pharmacist workforce assessment fee. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHB 2159 funds health care workforce development programs at the University of Hawaii. It appropriates state funds to establish new positions within the university focused on training and supporting health care workers. This bill directly affects the University of Hawaii's ability to expand its health care workforce initiatives. The key provision is the allocation of dedicated funding to create these new roles, aiming to strengthen Hawaii's health care workforce pipeline.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally honors Dr. David Lassner for his nearly five decades of service to the University of Hawaiʻi System and the state. It recognizes his leadership as a staff member, executive, and president, highlighting his contributions to academic excellence, student opportunities, and community engagement during his career. The resolution acknowledges his work in guiding the university through challenges such as natural disasters and the pandemic while promoting equity and innovation. This legislative action serves as a commemorative tribute rather than implementing new policies or affecting specific groups beyond recognizing his legacy.

Applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies. Appropriates funds for a position in the Department of Taxation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes an Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force to develop guidelines and recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence in state public education. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes and appropriates funds for a one-year Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project that will enable the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to develop and make publicly available a digital platform designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Creates a School Psychologists Working Group within the Department of Education to recommend actionable steps or propose legislation for an immediate pathway to licensure for school psychologists that can be acted upon in 2027. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Exempts one six-hour strategic planning retreat of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii per year from open meeting requirements if certain conditions are met. Requires members of the Board of Regents to complete a governance training and attend the training at least once every two years thereafter. Requires the Candidate Advisory Council to ensure that all candidates presented to the Governor for nomination have certain subject matter experience and are not registered lobbyists who have lobbied on matters pertaining to the University of Hawaii. Exempts the financial disclosures of the Board of Regents as mandated by the State Ethics Code from being made public. Requires the Board of Regents, in collaboration with the Candidate Advisory Council, to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the University of Hawaii to evaluate the effectiveness of its Manoa Kokua Program and disability services across the university system, with the goal of identifying areas for improvement and expansion. It requests the University of Hawaii Manoa SEED program to conduct a study on how to better improve student outreach and knowledge of disability support, focusing on specific issues like registration processes, classroom accommodations, building accessibility, and basic needs access. The university is asked to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026. This resolution is a non-binding request that does not create new laws or funding but asks the university to assess its current services and propose changes.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the University of Hawaii to evaluate the effectiveness of its Kokua Program and disability services across the university system. The bill directs the University of Hawaii Manoa SEED program to conduct a study on improving student outreach, registration processes, faculty communication, building accessibility, and accommodations for basic needs like transportation and housing. The university must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session. This measure aims to address gaps in disability support services and ensure better access for students with disabilities throughout the university system.