Rep. Adrian Tam

Repeals the requirement to use the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program Trust Fund if the Director elects to accept deposits from contributors instead of sending deposits directly to the ABLE program manager. Authorizes the Director of Finance to expend moneys in the trust fund to provide incentive payments to Hawaii public school ABLE account owners. Appropriates funds for incentive payments to Hawaii public school ABLE account owners and to fund a position to provide statewide outreach, advocacy, and relationship management for the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program.

Requires employers to reimburse employees for vehicle mileage expenses incurred when using their personal vehicle to carry out employee duties or at the direction of the employer.

Establishes an agricultural crime prevention program within the Department of Agriculture to provide grants, education, administrative enforcement, and other services for the benefit of the State's agricultural industry. Clarifies, creates, and strengthens laws regarding crimes and violations related to agriculture or agricultural lands and hunting on private agricultural lands. Establishes clear distinctions between administrative and criminal penalties. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 942 allocates state funds to the Department of Health to pay community-based health organizations for contracted health care services. It directly affects local clinics, nonprofits, and social service providers that deliver health care in communities. The key mechanism is directing state funding through the Department of Health to these organizations, rather than changing eligibility or service requirements. This is a funding bill focused on resource allocation, not altering health care policy or patient access rules.

Prohibits an employer from discriminating against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment based on the person's status as a medical cannabis registry card holder, under certain conditions. Authorizes an employer to use a fit-for-duty test for medical cannabis qualifying patients in potentially dangerous occupations. Exempts certain occupations. Effective July 1, 3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 645 allocates state funds to the Department of Human Services specifically for emergency shelter and support services for unaccompanied homeless youth. The bill directly affects young people under 18 who are living without family or guardians and facing immediate housing instability. Key provisions include directing the Department of Human Services to use these funds to provide immediate shelter, counseling, and other essential services to this vulnerable group. The bill is currently pending in the 2025 session, having been introduced and referred to committees but not yet passed.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to conduct a study on methods to support department schools that may be impacted by electric utilities' planned public safety power shutoff program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Teacher Home Assistance Program to provide housing vouchers to certain eligible teachers. Appropriates funds out of the Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Makes mandatory the suspension of the driver's license of a driver or registered owner of a vehicle for operating a motor vehicle without a motor vehicle insurance policy.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to contract with a non-profit specializing in domestic violence to provide training and staff to be housed on-site in Child Welfare Services Branch offices to support all aspects of screening for and addressing domestic violence within a case. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)