Rep. Sam Kong

Maddy summaryHB 607 makes causing serious bodily injury or death through fireworks a Class A felony, the highest criminal penalty level. This directly affects individuals who negligently or recklessly cause such harm using fireworks, including manufacturers, sellers, or users. The key provision changes the legal classification of these incidents from a lower-level offense to a felony, significantly increasing potential penalties. The bill does not alter existing fireworks possession or sale laws, only the criminal consequences for resulting harm.

Appropriates funds to increase the funding of certain Medicaid home and community-based services, including adult day programs and residential services offered in community care foster family homes and expanded adult residential care homes.

Establishes a telework tax credit for small business employers who allow telework for at least 30% of their employees. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/24.

Maddy summaryHB 9 designates Hawaii as a "Purple Heart State," a symbolic recognition honoring military service members wounded or killed in action. This bill affects the state of Hawaii as a whole, establishing a ceremonial designation without creating new programs or altering existing laws. The key mechanism is purely symbolic, involving state-level recognition such as official proclamations or display of the Purple Heart emblem, with no concrete policy changes or new requirements for individuals or agencies. As a procedural resolution, it does not impose obligations or provide benefits beyond acknowledgment.

Requires all public schools, including public charter schools, to maintain a stock supply of opioid antagonists. Requires the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to offer training to school employees on the administration of opioid antagonists.

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 freezes the state's minimum wage at $15.00 per hour starting January 1, 2026, canceling planned future increases. It also repeals scheduled higher minimum wage rates and tip credit adjustments for tipped workers after that date. This directly affects low-wage workers and service industry employees who would have seen incremental pay raises under previous plans. The bill halts further wage growth without providing new funding or adjustments for inflation.

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.

Authorizes the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to appoint an organization as the limited owner of a cemetery, under certain circumstances, for the purposes of filing complaints and engaging in certain security and perpetual care activities for the cemetery. Requires an appointed limited owner of a cemetery to submit annual progress reports to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. (CD1)

Designates November 22 of each year as "Kimchi Day" in the State.