Rep. Cory Chun

Maddy summaryHB 598 prohibits insurance companies from requiring patients to pay copays, deductibles, or other cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams ordered by doctors to investigate concerns or monitor conditions. This directly affects patients needing these specific exams, such as follow-up tests after abnormal mammograms. The bill mandates that insurers cover these exams fully without patient cost-sharing, applying only to diagnostic and supplemental procedures - not routine screenings. It represents a policy change to reduce financial barriers for medically necessary breast examinations.

Requires graduates of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine who have paid in-state tuition to serve as a physician in the State for at least 2 years following their medical residency or fellowship. Begins with the class of 2029.

Establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts. Establishes the pharmacist workforce assessment fee. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Increases the state supplemental payment ceilings for type I adult residential care homes, licensed developmental disabilities domiciliary homes, community care foster family homes, certified adult foster homes, and type II adult residential care homes.

Establishes a payment rate not to exceed cost plus forty per cent for nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, or nonlegend drugs for workers' compensation purposes, subject to certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1 changes the responsibilities of the State Building Code Council, which oversees building standards. The bill modifies how the council operates but does not alter specific building requirements for homeowners or builders. It is currently pending review by the House State Government committee, with a hearing scheduled for January 31, 2025. The measure is procedural, focusing on administrative duties rather than new construction rules.

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.

Transfers the Hawaii Child Nutrition Programs Agency from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture and codifies its establishment. Establishes a grant program to be administered by the Agency to support the funding of certain initiatives for the State's public schools. Appropriates funds for grants. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Amends the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to address carbon emissions. Incrementally increases the tax rate over time. Establishes a refundable tax credit to mitigate the effect of a carbon emissions tax on taxpayers. Reenacts the agricultural development and food security special fund. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Expands the powers of the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and reactivates the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to help to stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)