Rep. Cory Chun

Pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement negotiated for Bargaining Unit (5) and subject to the availability of funds, provides annual salary step increases for public school teachers who have completed a year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a study on the current practices of managing heat exposure in state public and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities and to develop a plan if the current practices are insufficient in managing heat exposure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 231 increases penalties for drivers who fail to maintain required motor vehicle insurance. It directly affects drivers who operate vehicles without valid insurance coverage. The bill raises the fines for these violations, with changes taking effect on July 1, 3000. This is a straightforward policy adjustment to strengthen enforcement of insurance requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 875 appropriates state funds for a dedicated tour guide position within the State Capitol's Public Access Room to provide guided tours. This bill directly affects the Capitol's public visitor services by creating a permanent staff role for tour coordination. The key provision is the allocation of funding for this specific position, with no additional policy changes or broad program expansions. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing solely on staffing resources for Capitol tours.

Requires the Department of Education to establish and administer a two-year school librarian pilot program to provide funding for qualifying schools to hire librarians. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a school capital improvement project modernization initiative in the School Facilities Authority to create a planning database for school facilities. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Clarifies the definition of "covered employer" under the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act. Requires covered employers to automatically enroll covered employees into the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program unless the employee chooses to opt out. Repeals the limit on the total fees and expenses that can be spent for the Program each year. Appropriates funds to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for the development and operation of the Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 531 would authorize Hawaii to issue special license plates featuring recognition of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. These plates would allow vehicle owners to display a dedicated plate design supporting the cancer center, with the program becoming effective July 1, 2030. The bill creates a new plate option without altering existing vehicle registration rules or imposing costs on the state. It directly affects vehicle owners who choose to purchase these plates as a form of public recognition for the cancer center.

Appropriates funds for eight full-time agricultural technician, and four full-time coordinator positions at University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Maddy summaryHB 365 prohibits the farming of octopus in aquaculture operations within the state. The bill directly affects businesses or entities currently engaged in or planning to raise octopus commercially. Its key provision bans these specific octopus farming activities, with an effective date listed as July 1, 3000 (a likely typographical error, as this date is far in the future). The bill is currently pending in committee after receiving a favorable recommendation for passage with amendments.