Amends repeat offender sentencing provisions to allow sentencing courts, under certain circumstances, to sentence defendants in class C felony cases to probation with appropriate terms and conditions.
Requires cardiovascular screening for students, including student athletes. Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to distribute educational and informational materials regarding sudden cardiac arrest. Requires the Department of Health to implement policies, programs, training, and continuing education that increase health care provider knowledge of cardiovascular screening guidelines.
Permanently establishes the Small Business Procurement Program and Small Business Procurement Coordinator position within the State Procurement Office. Requires purchasing agencies to apply a local preference to Hawaii businesses in evaluating contracts awarded by competitive sealed bidding or competitive sealed proposals. Establishes criteria for a Hawaii business to qualify for a local preference. Establishes procedures for contract awardees who fail to meet or maintain the preference criteria. Establishes a special fund and requires the Small Business Procurement Coordinator to establish rules and policies, effective 1/1/2029, requiring small businesses to commit to contributing 0.2 per cent of state contract awards to the special fund. Repeals the Small Business Assistance Initiative established in Act 168, SLH 2022. Appropriates funds for the Small Business Procurement Coordinator. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes and appropriates funds for an Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Research Center at the University of Hawaii, to be administratively affiliated with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, including the establishment of full-time positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to collaborate with the Executive Office on Aging to implement the program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summaryHB 2154 establishes a framework for using intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology, which alerts drivers when exceeding speed limits, specifically targeting habitual speeders. It directly affects drivers with repeated speeding violations by requiring their vehicles to integrate this technology. The bill mandates that the state agency implement this framework and submit a detailed report to the Legislature on its effectiveness and costs. This is a policy change focused on traffic safety technology adoption, not on new penalties or enforcement procedures.
Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
For taxable years beginning 1/1/2027, increases the maximum annual deduction for contributions to, and maximum account levels for, individual housing accounts.
Establishes a temporary Parkinson's Patient Air Transport Feasibility Committee to examine recommendations for improving access to movement disorder care for neighbor island residents, including the feasibility of a state-administered air transport assistance fund. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summaryHB 1549 repeals the existing prohibition on drug paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The bill directly affects the specific law that previously banned items like pipes or bongs used with controlled substances. It removes this ban without creating new regulations or penalties. This is a straightforward repeal of an existing legal restriction, with no new provisions or mechanisms added. The bill is currently in early stages of the legislative process.
