Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto

Maddy summaryHB 308 increases the amount of public matching funds provided to candidates in the state's partial public financing program. It specifically raises the matching rate for contributions exceeding a set threshold ("excess qualifying contributions") made by individual donors. This change directly affects qualifying candidates running for office who receive small-dollar donations from voters. The bill modifies the existing program's funding mechanism without altering eligibility rules or adding new requirements.

Requires board members of a condominium association to certify the receipt and review of certain documents and complete a board training and education course approved by an accredited third party organization, to be selected by the Real Estate Commission.

Requires a wireless telecommunications carrier, as a condition for any permit under section 206N-6 or certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 269-7.5, to maintain emergency backup power for a minimum of twelve hours.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 would expand family leave eligibility to cover an employee's domestic partner and the child of an employee's domestic partner. Currently, most family leave laws focus on blood relatives or spouses; this bill explicitly adds domestic partners and their children to the list of protected individuals. The key change is broadening who qualifies for leave under existing family leave policies, directly affecting employees in domestic partnerships who need time off for partner or partner-related family care. This is a policy update to the current leave framework, not yet enacted.

Establishes a Cesspool Conversion Section within the Department of Health's Wastewater Branch, which shall be responsible for facilitating the conversion of cesspools within the State. Establishes and appropriates funds for positions within the Cesspool Conversion Section. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Prohibits sellers of foreclosed homes from bundling properties at a public sale and requires each foreclosed home to be sold separately. Specifies that the sale of a foreclosed property is not final until either fifteen days after the public sale or forty-five days if an eligible bidder submits a subsequent bid or written notice of intent to submit a subsequent bid. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Repeals staff of the legislative branch of the State from the list of individuals not included in any appropriate bargaining unit. Specifies that the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each have one vote if they have employees in a particular bargaining unit for the purposes of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement.

Requires law enforcement to post notice that a warranted or warrantless search has been conducted on a property. Requires a law enforcement officer to secure any entrance used by an officer in the search.

Establishes the Hawaii Food Security Special Fund to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit levels to those provided in federal fiscal year 2023. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Mandates state agencies to prioritize purchasing from local vendors whenever feasible. Allows state agencies to split contracts across multiple local vendors to enhance participation and competitiveness. Specifies when contracts may be awarded to multiple vendors.