Rep. Ikaika Hussey

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Board of Education and Department of Education to create a working group that will design a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence program for public schools. The proposed working group would include educators, university faculty, industry representatives, and student members to develop a framework for recognizing students who complete advanced climate science coursework and experiential projects. The group is tasked with outlining course requirements, certification criteria, teacher training needs, and an implementation timeline, with final recommendations due to the Legislature by early 2027.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the Governor to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer healthcare system. The bill directs the Authority to create a proposal for implementing this system as soon as possible after obtaining federal waivers to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE funding. It requests that the Authority submit a progress report with recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026. The resolution does not enact the healthcare system itself but serves as a formal recommendation to the executive branch.

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages the Hawaii Department of Education to offer a basic swimming course at either the primary or secondary education level. It aims to address the state's high drowning rates and the financial barriers that prevent many families from providing water safety training. The resolution does not mandate the program but instead urges the state education agency to consider implementing swim education. Copies of the resolution are sent to the Superintendent of Education and the Chairperson of the Board of Education for their awareness.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Governor to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer health care system. The resolution supports this initiative by highlighting potential cost savings from reduced administrative expenses and streamlined billing processes, which could lower overall state health care spending. It calls for the Health Authority to submit progress reports and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. The plan aims to implement the system as soon as possible after obtaining federal waivers to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE funding.

Establishes a Hilo-Kona transportation pilot program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study, plan, evaluate, implement, and trial transportation routes and services connecting Hilo and Kona. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires hourly rate or salary ranges to be disclosed on job listings for full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal employees. Removes the exemption for employers having fewer than fifty employees. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Part I: Fixes the applicable building codes, standards, and county amendments for the life of a building permit, subject to certain exceptions and rules. Part II: Specifies the applicability of the International Residential Code. Authorizes a county to adopt amendments to the Hawaii state building code, under certain circumstances, and repeals the counties' existing authority to amend or adopt the buildings code without council approval. Changes the adoption of the Hawaii state building code from a two-year cycle to a six-year cycle. Part III: Appropriates funds for the State Building Code Council for staffing and necessary consultant services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryHB 2444 increases the state tax credit available to low-income household renters, raising the amount from $50 to $100 for each tax exemption claimed by the taxpayer. This change directly affects renters who qualify as low-income and claim tax exemptions, providing them with greater financial relief through their state tax return. The key provision is the specific dollar amount increase per exemption, making the credit more substantial for eligible households. The bill does not alter eligibility criteria or introduce new administrative requirements.

Requires the Department of Transportation to administer the Safe Routes to School Program. Amends the purposes for which funds of the Safe Routes to School Special Fund may be used for. Establishes deadlines for when funds from Safe Routes to School Special Fund that are allocated to the counties should be obligated or expended by. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Entitles unaccompanied homeless youth, including runaway youth, with the rights, as provided by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, to immediate enrollment in school, full participation in school activities, and access to comparable school and educational services provided to other students. Establishes a student-centered, safety-first protocol for unaccompanied homeless youth enrolling in or attending school. Permits unaccompanied homeless youth to provisionally enroll in school without providing immunization records. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)