Rep. Daniel Holt

Maddy summaryHB 1353 allocates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHL) to purchase a specific parcel of land identified by tax map key 9-1-013-025. The bill directly affects DHL, which manages Hawaiian Home Lands under state law, by providing resources for acquiring this property. It contains no policy changes beyond the funding authorization for this land transaction. The bill was introduced and passed its first reading on January 23, 2025, and referred to relevant committees.

Requires the Department of Education to implement a plan for a Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei that shall be ready to educate students in grades kindergarten through 12 by the 2028-2029 school year. Appropriates moneys.

Maddy summaryHB 917 establishes mandatory minimum prison terms for individuals convicted of possessing methamphetamine or fentanyl. It directly affects people found guilty of these specific drug possession offenses. The bill requires judges to impose a set minimum prison sentence for these convictions, removing judicial discretion to issue shorter sentences. This policy change alters sentencing outcomes for low-level drug possession cases under current law. (Note: The bill is new, with no committee action or voting history yet.)

Adds the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the Chairperson's designee to the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Considers the Chairperson in determining quorum and majority and makes the Chairperson eligible to vote on matters affecting the Kalaeloa Community Development District.

Directs the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the State from birth to age 5 years without regard to household income. Appropriates moneys.

Maddy summaryHB 942 allocates state funds to the Department of Health for contracting health care services with community-based organizations. This bill directly affects local health organizations that provide services to residents, particularly in underserved communities. The key provision establishes a funding mechanism requiring the Department of Health to use these resources to partner with such organizations for service delivery. The bill was introduced on January 21, 2025, and referred to relevant committees for review.

Adds the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, or the Chairperson's designee, to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Adds the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the Chairperson's designee to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Clarifies that only the five, non-ex-officio members appointed by the Governor are required to have substantial experience in water resource management.

Clarifies that a person who uses deadly force in self-defense does not have a duty to retreat if they are in their dwelling or on their property unless they are the initial aggressor. Repeals statutory language that permits a person to use deadly force at their place of work.

Establishes a Desalination Planning Task Force to examine the feasibility of, and develop a plan and timeline for, the use desalination as a source of potable water in the State.