Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto

Maddy summaryHB 929 would add a surcharge to the conveyance tax when agricultural land is sold, based on the seller's profit (net capital gain) from the transfer. This bill directly affects landowners who sell agricultural property, as they would pay an additional fee on the profit from the sale. The surcharge is calculated as a percentage of the net capital gain, increasing the tax burden specifically for these land transfers.

Maddy summaryHB 471 requires the state Board of Education to create a Korean language program in public schools and appropriates funding for it. This bill directly affects school districts that would implement the program and students seeking Korean language education. The key provision mandates the Board to establish the program using designated state funds. Currently, the bill has been referred to education and finance committees but was recommended for deferral by the committee on January 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 149 requires domestic and foreign corporations operating in the state to provide shareholders with annual reports detailing their political spending, including independent expenditures and contributions to candidates or causes. This directly affects all corporations subject to state jurisdiction, mandating transparency about their political activity. The key provision is the requirement for these reports to be shared with shareholders, increasing visibility into corporate political influence. The bill aims to clarify corporate political spending practices without altering campaign finance rules.

Creates the Aloha Aina Land Trust to rehabilitate and manage lands transferred by the United States military to the State after the leases for those lands expires. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1381 creates a working group within the judiciary to improve legal services for youth in the child welfare system. The group will develop strategies to address gaps in legal representation for young people navigating foster care or other child welfare cases. The bill provides funding to support the working group's operations and meetings. This directly affects youth in the state's child welfare system by aiming to ensure they have better access to legal assistance during critical proceedings.

Requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a climate education, environmental sustainability, and indigenous knowledge into the K-12 curriculum and climate education and environmental sustainability teacher training and professional development programs. Requires the University of Hawaii to develop and implement a series of courses on climate education and environmental sustainability, to be completed by every student prior to the student's graduation, and establish sustainability practices across all university campuses to promote sustainability. Requires the Department of Education and University of Hawaii to conduct annual sustainability audits across their respective campuses to assess the progress of each campus in integrating sustainability into their curriculum and operations.

Establishes base selection criteria for exceptional trees. Establishes the significant tree designation, selection criteria, and related processes. Establishes the State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. Requires County Arborist Advisory Committees to have at least six members, adopt new exceptional tree selection criteria, and designate significant trees. Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to cooperate with State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the Exceptional Trees Program.

Establishes the Homeless Services Special Fund. Allows counties to apply for matching funds from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund for certain housing projects. Increases the conveyance tax rates for certain properties. Establishes conveyance tax rates for multifamily residential properties. Establishes new exemptions to the conveyance tax. Allocates collected conveyance taxes to the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund, Homeless Services Fund, and Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Amends allocations to the Land Conservation Fund and Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/2026.

Requires the Executive Office on Early Learning to establish parent-staff early learning collectives to combine professional early-learning services with structured parental involvement. Establishes an Early Learning Cooperative Advisory Council. Appropriates funds.

Exempts food and groceries from the general excise tax. Expands a 2024 session law exempting certain medical and dental services to include all medical and dental services.