Rep. Chris Todd

Authorizes the Department of Education to use alternative vehicles for student transportation under certain conditions and appropriates funds for the purchase of alternative vehicles and individuals to obtain CDL licensure. Allows Department schools to initiate staggered start times. Appropriates funds.

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.

Exempts from the general excise tax amounts received by a nurse entrepreneur for health care-related goods and services purchased under Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE.

Exempts the tax collected on the sale of groceries that are eligible under the supplemental nutrition assistance program or special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, regardless of the means of purchase and the program eligibility of the purchaser.

Maddy summaryHB 645 allocates state funds to the Department of Human Services to provide emergency shelter and support services specifically for unaccompanied homeless youth. The bill directs the agency to use these appropriations for immediate housing and assistance needs, such as temporary lodging and case management. It directly affects homeless youth without family support who lack stable housing. The legislation is currently pending committee review after its introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 178 appropriates state funds to establish a new position for a state tea agent at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). This bill directly affects UH Manoa's CTAHR program by funding a dedicated specialist focused on tea agriculture. The key mechanism is a budget allocation to create this role, supporting research and outreach related to tea cultivation in Hawaii. The bill is procedural, focusing on funding a specific staff position rather than changing laws.

Establishes and provides criteria for overdose prevention centers, including standards for the Department of Health to designate certain facilities as overdose prevention centers. Establishes an Overdose Prevention Center Oversight Committee. Provides immunity from state criminal prosecution for certain offenses for persons using a designated overdose prevention center and persons operating a designated overdose prevention center.

Maddy summaryHB 355 creates a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for homeowners who pay to retrofit their residences with wind-resistant devices. It directly affects taxpayers who incur expenses for qualifying storm-resistant home improvements. The credit reduces the homeowner's state income tax liability dollar-for-dollar based on eligible retrofit costs. This policy change provides a financial incentive for residential storm safety upgrades without generating tax refunds.

After 1/1/2026, prohibits businesses where food or beverages are packaged and sold on the business' premises for individual consumption from using, selling, or distributing certain disposable or single-use food ware and beverage service items, including items containing PFAS.

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.