Rep. Chris Todd

Maddy summaryHB 347 prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from setting or enforcing limits on how many goats hunters can take in public hunting areas. This directly affects hunters and the department, as it prevents the agency from implementing specific bag limits for goat hunting. The bill’s key provision is a straightforward ban on the department establishing these restrictions, meaning current hunting rules would remain unchanged regarding goat harvests. It does not alter other hunting regulations or create new requirements.

Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that may be claimed for the household and dependent care services tax credit for five years. Repeals 6/30/2030.

Requires owners or operators of waste combustion facilities to develop a plan to implement continuous monitoring and sampling technologies at each combustion unit to monitor and sample for certain air contaminants. Requires a publicly available website hosted by the Department of Health to track and display the data collected on the air contaminants. Requires the Department of Health to adjust permit limits for air contaminants based on the data collected. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Establishes an installation goal for customer-sited distributed energy resources in the State. Ensures that fair compensation is provided to distributed energy resources exports as part of grid service programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the rare disease advisory council to increase awareness and effective medical intervention for rare diseases. Establishes the rare disease advisory council special fund. Requires DOH and DOE to incorporate the importance of annual physical examinations for children in programs and literature. Amends the insurance code to include coverage for individuals with velocardiofacial syndrome and other genetic disorders. Exempts from cost sharing. Appropriates funds.

Codifies the board of education's policy for class sizes to promote quality education and positive student-teacher interactions. Informs parents if changes to class sizes are needed.

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Crimes Council. Expands the duties of the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with and support the Council. Establishes the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryHB 941 would allow pedestrians to cross roadways against the flow of traffic (e.g., walking against moving vehicles) in specific situations where it is otherwise prohibited by state traffic rules. This directly affects pedestrians who may need to cross in non-standard ways, such as at unmarked crosswalks or in areas with poor visibility, and indirectly affects drivers who must adjust to this change in pedestrian movement. The bill’s key provision creates an exception to the standard traffic code for pedestrian crossings under defined conditions, though the exact circumstances are not detailed in the provided abstract. It does not change existing traffic laws for vehicles but modifies pedestrian movement rules in limited scenarios. The bill is currently pending review by the Transportation Committee.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to revitalize and enhance the agricultural statistics program to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires health insurers and mutual benefit societies to provide coverage for traditional native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices offered through a Federally Qualified Health Center or a Native Hawaiian Health Care System.