Rep. Shirley Templo

Maddy summaryHB 1441 creates a new criminal offense for "organized retail theft," defined as coordinated thefts involving multiple people or large-scale operations targeting retail businesses. It establishes specific penalties for this offense, including potential fines and imprisonment. The bill also mandates the creation of an organized retail theft task force to investigate and address such incidents. This legislation directly affects retail businesses, law enforcement agencies, and individuals committing organized theft. The task force will coordinate efforts between state and local authorities to tackle this specific type of crime.

Maddy summaryHB 1288 would create a Rare Disease Advisory Council within the state Department of Health. The council would provide recommendations to the state on addressing the needs of people living with rare diseases. This bill establishes a formal advisory body to help inform state health policies and programs for rare disease patients. The bill is currently in committee referral.

Requires electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers to submit certifications with the Department of Taxation annually, stating that the manufacturer's products comply with federal regulations. Requires the Department of Taxation to maintain a directory of manufacturers of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids whose certifications the Department approved. Imposes penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1452 expands who can legally provide an affidavit to create a new birth certificate. It allows more types of healthcare providers (beyond current limits) to submit these affidavits for certain birth registrants. This change directly affects individuals needing to establish or correct birth certificate records, particularly in situations where standard medical providers are unavailable. The bill modifies the process by broadening the list of qualified healthcare professionals authorized to verify birth information for certificate issuance.

Requires the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health to develop and implement a comprehensive messaging and informational campaign to prevent cannabis use among the State's youth. Requires the Division to establish and enter into contracts with community-based organizations to award grants to prevent substance misuse among youth through evidenced-based prevention programs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing land registration systems and transition to a single, unified registry system; oversee the digitization of all land records into an online database; and ensure equitable access, establish a fee structure, and conduct public outreach on how to use the new system and access records. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1306 creates the Kupuna Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program through Hawaii's Housing Finance and Development Corporation. It directly affects Hawaii seniors aged 62 and older who own homes by allowing them to convert home equity into mortgage payments without selling their property. The program provides a state-administered option for eligible homeowners to access funds tied to their home equity while retaining ownership. This establishes a new policy mechanism under state housing finance authority, distinct from federal programs.

Changes the name and expands the functions and duties of the Office of International Relations. Establishes the Matsunaga Aloha Pacific Academy within the Office of International Relations.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Office of the Governor to provide profiles of Filipino immigrants related to demographic, education, and vocation data. Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with certain agricultural entities in the Philippines. Requires and appropriates funds for the Departments of Labor and Industrial Relations and Human Resources Development to develop a program that brings agricultural workers from the Philippines to Hawaii, under certain conditions. Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Agriculture to establish a hydroponics pilot program.

Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for enterprise zone program purposes to include retail sales of tangible personal property manufactured and sold in the enterprise zone that is to be used or consumed by the purchaser and not for resale, the processing of value-added agricultural products grown within an enterprise zone, and the provision of professional services by health care professionals in health care related sectors.