Rep. Jenna Takenouchi

Maddy summaryHB 2373 establishes a two-year pilot program providing free public transit rides ("Keiki Fare-Free") for children (defined as under 18) on Oahu and Kauai. The bill directly affects young riders using public transit on those islands, eliminating fare costs for this group during the pilot period. It includes specific funding appropriations to cover the cost of the free rides, ensuring the program is financially supported. The legislation focuses on making transit more accessible for families and children in these specific locations, with no broader statewide implementation planned.

Prohibits auto manufacturers and dealers from charging a post-sale subscription fee for hardware that is already installed at the time of purchase. Establishes penalties and fines.

For purposes of permissible uses in agricultural districts, establishes minimum requirements for income received from agricultural activity for a family occupying a farm dwelling. Provides that the definition of a "farm dwelling" includes agricultural activity that is considered a farming operation under section 165-2, HRS, and is conducted on more than 50 per cent of the entire lot.

Maddy summaryHB 1278 appropriates state funds for assessing and removing hazardous trees on Hawaii's state lands. It directly affects state property managers and public safety officials responsible for maintaining these areas. The bill's key provision is authorizing financial resources specifically for tree hazard evaluation and removal operations. The law becomes effective on July 1, 3000, as stated in the official abstract.

Establishes statewide, uniform standards to promote agricultural tourism activities in the State for all counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance. Requires agricultural tourism activities to be registered by the county planning department. Requires agricultural tourism activities to coexist with an agricultural activity on a farming operation and requires termination of the agricultural tourism activities upon cessation of the agricultural activity, except under certain circumstances. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryHB 2366 prohibits health insurance plans from requiring patients to pay out-of-pocket costs (like copays or coinsurance) for specific diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations ordered by a doctor. This directly affects patients who need these exams for evaluation or follow-up, removing a financial barrier to accessing care. The bill targets cost-sharing requirements for exams deemed medically necessary, not routine screenings. It aims to ensure patients aren't financially hindered from receiving recommended diagnostic services.

Maddy summaryHB 2402 creates a new misdemeanor offense for promoting gambling in the third degree. This bill directly affects individuals or businesses that actively encourage or facilitate gambling activities, such as operating unlicensed betting services. The key provision establishes a specific criminal penalty for these promotion activities, making them punishable as a misdemeanor under state law. The bill is currently in its early stages, having been introduced on January 27, 2026, and referred to committee on February 2, 2026.

Requires cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents. Requires cash transactions that total $0.01 or $0.02 to be rounded up to $0.05. Exempts transactions in which payment is made by demand or negotiable instrument, electronic fund transfer, check, gift card, money order, credit card, or other like instrument or method.

Requires the University of Hawaii System to implement a financial literacy program offered at all campuses at no cost to students. Appropriates funds.

Requires the Chief Data Officer to enhance the State's open data portal website through the phased development and publishing of an artificial intelligence chatbot and necessary data visualizations on statewide shared data sets to assist the public in navigating the open data portal website and finding information about statewide services across state departments and agencies. Requires the Chief Data Officer to develop a system to evaluate and select for procurement artificial intelligence governance tools for use by state departments and agencies and establish a mechanism for reporting and publication of artificial intelligence use cases and artificial intelligence vendors used by the departments and agencies. Appropriates funds.