Rep. Sam Kong

Maddy summaryHB 1441 creates a new criminal offense called "organized retail theft" for coordinated theft schemes targeting retail businesses. It sets specific penalties for this offense and establishes an organized retail theft task force to investigate and address such incidents. The bill directly affects retailers by providing new legal tools to combat large-scale theft operations and law enforcement agencies through the task force structure. Key provisions define the crime, outline penalties, and mandate the task force’s formation without specifying exact penalty levels.

Maddy summaryHB 1340 would automatically impose stricter penalties for crimes committed against individuals aged 60 or older, regardless of the offender's intent. It directly affects anyone committing assault, abuse, or similar offenses against seniors by triggering enhanced sentencing under existing laws when the victim's age is known. The key provision modifies how courts handle such cases - requiring harsher penalties solely based on the victim's age, without needing to prove the offender targeted seniors specifically. The bill is currently pending, having been introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the 2026 legislative session.

Eliminates the certificate of need requirement for all health care facilities and health care services except for nursing homes, hospices, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and ambulance service providers.

Maddy summaryHB 607 proposes making it a Class A felony (the most serious criminal charge) to cause serious bodily injury or death through reckless or negligent fireworks use. This bill directly affects individuals who handle fireworks in a way that results in harm, potentially facing the highest level of criminal penalties. The key mechanism establishes new criminal liability for fireworks-related injuries or fatalities, moving such incidents from lesser offenses to felony-level punishment. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 legislative session after being introduced in January 2025.

Continues a licensing scheme for licensed certified midwives and licensed certified professional midwives, to be overseen by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Reestablishes the home birth task force to provide recommendations on issues related to home births. Dissolves the task force on 6/30/2026. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Establishes notice requirements for employers under Hawaii's Workers' Compensation Law. Requires employers who deny the compensability of an employee's injury to submit a written report supporting the denial to the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations within a specified period. Requires employers to furnish to the injured employee up to $10,000 for medical care, services, and supplies for the period immediately following the injury and so long as reasonably needed or until the employer files a written report with the Director denying the compensability of the injury, whichever is earlier. Clarifies that failure to give an employer notice of an employee's injury does not bar a claim for compensation if any person having authority in the interest of the employer had knowledge of the injury.

Clarifies that persons who enter private property for recreational purposes have no cause of action, unless exempted under law. Requires courts to award attorneys' fees and costs to landowners if plaintiffs bring unreasonable actions. Establishes, as a matter of law, that persons participating in outdoor recreational activities accept the inherent risks, dangers, or hazards in the activities. Clarifies the definitions for "recreational purpose" and "recreational user".

Maddy summaryHB 83 increases fines for violating fireworks laws, with higher penalties for repeat offenses. The bill raises fines for initial violations and doubles them for subsequent violations, directly affecting individuals who break fireworks regulations. It also appropriates funds, though the specific allocation isn't detailed in the abstract. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet been voted on.

Excludes from the offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products the direct sale of large cigars and pipe tobacco to adult consumers for personal use. Effective 1/1/2026.

Maddy summaryHB 84 would set the minimum wage at $15.00 per hour starting January 1, 2026, instead of higher scheduled increases. It directly affects low-wage workers and businesses that pay the minimum wage or use tip credits by stopping future wage hikes and repealing existing tip credit provisions after that date. The bill modifies the state's minimum wage schedule to cap increases at $15.00 per hour, reversing planned higher rates and eliminating tip credit adjustments effective January 1, 2026.