Rep. Adrian Tam

Establishes braille literacy as a policy of the State. Requires literacy assessments for eligible low vision and blind students to include braille instruction and the use of braille. Authorizes the Department of Education to adopt administrative rules. Establishes the Braille Literacy Resource Center. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires, and appropriates funds for, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish an out-of-state office in the Republic of the Philippines. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to be used by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for mercantile projects, as well as lump sum repair and maintenance, in fiscal year 2025-2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHCR 102 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaii's Real Estate Commission to use its existing authority to offer the real estate salesperson exam in Japanese. This would allow Japanese national visitors to obtain a limited license specifically for selling timeshare products in Hawaii. The resolution cites the Commission's power under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 467 without requiring new legislation. It aims to support Hawaii's tourism industry by making it easier for Japanese visitors to sell timeshares, referencing similar multilingual exam practices like the driver's license test. The resolution does not create new law but requests administrative action.

For policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2025, requires insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for standard fertility preservation services for persons undergoing medically necessary treatment that may cause iatrogenic infertility. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Requires retail sellers or transferers of firearms to provide purchasers with notice regarding the law on firearms storage. Expands the requirements for the secure storage of firearms. Clarifies the offense of criminally negligent storage of a firearm. (HD1)

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)

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)

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)

Maddy summaryThis symbolic House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 119) endorses Taiwan's observer participation in key international organizations including the World Health Organization, climate change body (UNFCCC), and aviation body (ICAO). It supports U.S. efforts to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade. The resolution commemorates Hawaii’s 32-year sister-state relationship with Taiwan, highlighting longstanding ties in tourism, education, and disaster aid (notably Taiwan’s $500,000 contribution after the 2023 Maui wildfires). It does not create new laws or funding but formally expresses Hawaii’s support for deeper U.S.-Taiwan economic cooperation and Taiwan’s international engagement.