Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto

Requires disclosure of the names of compensated officers of state and county contractors and grantees. Prohibits the compensated officers of certain state and county contractors and grantees from making, promising, or soliciting certain campaign contributions for the duration of the contract or grant. Provides that, for contributions received through a third-party payment processor website, whether received by check or directly deposited to the candidate or noncandidate committee, the date the contributor executes the transaction on the third-party payment processor website shall be deemed the date of receipt and the date of acceptance for campaign finance reporting and compliance requirements. Clarifies that monetary contributions and other campaign funds shall be deposited within 14 days of their physical receipt in a depository institution. Requires unlawful contributions to be returned to the contributor within 30 calendar days of receipt or escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. Clarifies that where a violation of the prohibition against contributions and expenditures by lobbyists during legislative session occurs because of the acceptance or agreement to accept a prohibited contribution, and the contribution is by check, the date of violation shall be the date of the receipt of the check and not the date of deposit. Appropriates moneys. (SD3)

Requires the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally return committed felons incarcerated in private, out-of-state correctional institutions to in-state correctional facilities. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution nominates John D. Waihe'e III for induction into Hawaii's Aloha Order of Merit, a legislative body that honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the state. The resolution recognizes his historic role as the first Native Hawaiian to serve as a U.S. state governor and highlights his achievements in education, healthcare, economic development, and Native Hawaiian rights advocacy. The bill directs the transmission of certified copies to the Governor, the Aloha Order of Merit Committee, and Governor Waihe'e III himself, following the statutory criteria for induction established in Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the creation of a working group to study staffing shortages and security challenges at Hawaii's state courts. The group would examine how expanded duties for the Department of Law Enforcement have outpaced available Deputy Sheriff positions, leading to increased reliance on private security contractors. Its purpose is to evaluate solutions for aligning staffing levels with responsibilities, improving recruitment and retention, and reducing long-term dependence on private security contracts. The working group would include leaders from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, and finance to develop recommendations for addressing these systemic issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the State Auditor of Hawaii to evaluate the social and financial impacts of a new law mandating health insurance coverage for biomarker testing. The assessment will focus on House Bill 1971, which requires insurers to cover medically necessary biomarker testing for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring diseases. The Auditor must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins. This procedural measure ensures the state reviews the costs and effects of requiring insurance plans to cover this specific medical testing technology.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Hawaii's Department of Education to officially recognize competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport. It urges state officials to develop guidelines and safety standards that align with federal requirements for equal athletic opportunities. The resolution directs the Department of Education to work with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to establish rules for coaching, facilities, and oversight. This measure seeks to ensure high school cheer athletes receive resources comparable to other varsity sports.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to form a shared decision-making committee to develop a plan for establishing a K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei. The proposed committee would include 11 members representing educators, administrators, community organizations, parents, and higher education leaders to guide the planning process. The action plan must outline steps for facility selection, teacher recruitment, curriculum development, and a phased implementation schedule starting with kindergarten through second grade by the 2027-2028 school year. The bill also directs the Department to allocate initial faculty and administrative positions to support the new school and requires progress reports to the Legislature by 2027 and 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Governor of Hawaii to evaluate food insecurity conditions and create a statewide food security response plan. It directly affects state agencies, local communities, and residents concerned with food access and affordability. The resolution asks the Governor to assess whether a food security emergency should be declared, coordinate efforts across relevant departments, identify ways to improve food access in high-need areas, and remove regulatory barriers to local food production. The Governor is also requested to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that expresses the legislature's support for expanding programs to increase tree canopy coverage and install shade trees in urban areas across Hawaii to combat urban heat islands. It directly affects state and county agencies, which are asked to collaborate on assessing heat exposure, identifying priority areas for tree planting, and integrating shade tree strategies into future development projects. The resolution outlines specific areas for review, including disparities in canopy access, coordination with community partners, and best practices for tree maintenance, while also requesting that copies be sent to key state officials and county mayors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the creation of an Arts Data and Mapping Task Force to conduct a statewide survey of arts and arts education programs across Hawaii. The task force will develop a comprehensive database and geographic map to identify where arts programs exist, who they serve, and where access gaps may occur. The group will include representatives from schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations, and will submit reports to the Legislature by 2028 and 2030. The database will focus on mapping program availability and distribution without evaluating program quality or outcomes.