Appropriates moneys to establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the University of Hawaii Manoa campus with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program for interpreter training. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summaryHCR 9 requests the Attorney General to review Hawaii’s laws for disability-related terms like "impaired," which advocates say carry negative connotations. It specifically asks for replacing outdated phrases such as "hearing impaired" with "deaf or hard of hearing" and "vision impaired" with "low vision." The resolution directs the Attorney General to recommend modern, respectful terminology that aligns with disability-inclusive language standards without altering legal meaning. A report with findings and proposed changes must be submitted to the Legislature by January 2027.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 10) requests the Hawaii Attorney General to review the Hawaii Revised Statutes for any use of the term "impaired" or similar language when describing people with disabilities. It directs the Attorney General to identify specific provisions (like those using "hearing impaired" or "vision impaired") and recommend inclusive alternatives, such as replacing "hearing impaired" with "deaf or hard of hearing" and "vision impaired" with "low vision." The resolution aims to update terminology to align with modern disability-inclusive language standards without altering legal meaning or conflicting with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Attorney General must submit findings and proposed amendments to the Legislature by early 2027.
Transfers the appointment authority for Island Burial Council members from the Governor and Senate to the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summaryHB 2153 establishes the Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program, which provides financial incentives to help retain law enforcement officers. The bill allocates state funds specifically for these retention bonuses, directly affecting eligible law enforcement officers in Hawaii. The key mechanism is the state appropriating dedicated funding to cover the bonus payments. This policy change creates a formal, funded program to support officer retention efforts.
Requires the Department of Education to establish a program for the support of students experiencing homelessness. Requires the Department to designate a state coordinator position and state navigator positions to implement the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Makes both the representative of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii and the representative of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii permanent standing members of the State Building Code Council, instead of members who alternate terms every four years. Adds one representative of the Plumbers and Fitters United Association, Local 675, and one representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1186, as members of the State Building Code Council. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires a condominium association to make available on an internet site the association's general ledgers, project information form (RR-105C), and statement of accounts at no cost to a unit owner or the unit owner's authorized agent. Reduces the reasonable fee a condominium association may charge to provide copies of association documents from $1 per page to 75 cents per page.
Defines and provides requirements for the use of a portable solar generation device. Provides that electric utility companies are not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device. Requires each portable solar generation device to be registered with the Public Utilities Commission. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices, at no cost to the customer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
