Appropriates funds for eight full-time agricultural technician, and four full-time coordinator positions at University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
Maddy summaryHB 948 requires the Department of Transportation to build, maintain, and operate customs and security facilities at commercial harbors. This bill directly affects commercial harbor operators and the Department of Transportation, mandating new infrastructure responsibilities. The key provision shifts the planning and operational burden for these facilities from harbor entities to the state DOT. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing on agency duties rather than altering harbor regulations or funding. It is currently in early stages, having been introduced on January 23, 2025.
Authorizes neighborhood boards to solicit suggestions for capital improvement projects and operating budget priorities from residents. Requires each county mayor to consider and respond in writing to the suggestions for capital improvement projects and operating budget priorities submitted by each neighborhood board. Requires each county council to consider the neighborhood boards' recommendations, the mayor's responses, and county fiscal health in determining the final budget.
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.
Establishes a refundable Family Caregiver Tax Credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the department of taxation to report to the legislature before the convening of each regular session.
Maddy summaryHB 947 eliminates a specific tax deduction for real estate investment trusts (REITs), meaning these entities will no longer be able to subtract dividends paid to shareholders when calculating their taxable income. The bill directly affects REITs operating in the state, changing how they are taxed on their dividend distributions. This policy change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, applying to all qualifying REITs moving forward. The key provision removes the existing deduction, altering REITs' tax calculation method without specifying new tax rates or additional requirements.
Mandates state agencies to prioritize purchasing from local vendors whenever feasible. Allows state agencies to split contracts across multiple local vendors to enhance participation and competitiveness. Specifies when contracts may be awarded to multiple vendors.
Maddy summaryHB 722 would change state unemployment benefit rules to allow workers who participate in labor strikes to qualify for benefits. Currently, striking workers are typically ineligible for unemployment assistance, but this bill would remove that barrier. It directly affects workers involved in labor disputes by expanding their access to financial support during job actions. The key provision amends existing eligibility criteria to include those who leave work due to a strike, rather than losing their jobs through no fault of their own.
Proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the terms of members of the Legislature, as provided by law, for terms beginning after the general election of 2028.
