Rep. Garner Shimizu

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates state funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to support the repair, renovation, and maintenance of public housing units. The money is intended to improve existing housing conditions for residents living in public housing managed by the authority. The legislation does not create new housing but focuses on upgrading current facilities through rehabilitation and remodeling projects. It is a funding measure that directly impacts the operations and maintenance capabilities of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

Establishes penalties for property managers and owners of real property on or in which massage parlors or similar prostitution establishments are located. Requires workers to be treated as victims and offered resources. Appropriates funds.

Appropriates funds to increase the funding for Medicaid in-home services, conditioned on the Department of Human Services obtaining the maximum federal matching funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1489 allocates state funds to the Department of Human Services (DHS) to administer core homelessness services. It directly affects individuals experiencing homelessness by providing resources for essential support programs, though the specific services (e.g., shelters, case management) are not detailed in the abstract. The bill’s key mechanism is funding distribution through DHS, requiring the department to manage these services under the state’s homelessness strategy. As of its current status, the bill is pending in the 2026 Regular Session after being referred to relevant committees in 2025.

Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to utilize student education partnerships to increase the amount of mental health care providers in correctional facilities across the State. Appropriates funds.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the terms of members of the legislature to a maximum of twelve years in the house of representatives or senate, or both, for terms beginning on or after the general election of 2026.

Requires the Department of Education to assign school resource officers to department public schools and charter schools. Encourages the employment of qualified retirees from the local police departments and department of law enforcement. Appropriates funds for these positions.

Maddy summaryHB 290 establishes that crimes committed against individuals aged 60 or older automatically qualify as crimes against elders, creating strict liability based solely on the victim's age. This means any criminal act against someone 60+ would trigger enhanced penalties under this law, directly affecting elderly victims and potentially altering sentencing for offenders. The key provision removes the need to prove the perpetrator knew the victim's age, making the victim's age a decisive factor in classification. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 legislative session after being introduced in January 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 520 would exempt tips received by employees from state income tax calculations, meaning tip income would no longer count toward an employee's taxable income. This directly affects service industry workers, such as servers and bartenders, who rely on tips as part of their earnings. The bill removes tips from gross income, adjusted gross income, and taxable income for state tax purposes. Currently pending in committee, the bill has not advanced beyond the referral stage in the 2025 session.

Exempts food and groceries from the general excise tax. Expands a 2024 session law exempting certain medical and dental services to include all medical and dental services.