Rep. Lauren Matsumoto

Authorizes the Department of Education to use alternative vehicles for student transportation under certain conditions and appropriates funds for the purchase of alternative vehicles and individuals to obtain CDL licensure. Allows Department schools to initiate staggered start times. Appropriates funds.

Establishes a three-year pilot program within the early learning system to administer a home-based early learning program. Serves three and four-year-old children. Provides individualized software instruction in reading, mathematics, and science. Appropriates funds.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Accounting and General Services to hire a consultant to evaluate potential locations and designs for the Hawaii First Responders Memorial. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires each public high school in the State to require students to complete and pass 2 full years of Hawaiian language courses as a condition of graduation.

Requires the Department of Education to establish rules for the procurement of goods and services related to the administration of food programs at public schools that incorporate a geographic preference for unprocessed locally grown and locally raised food products.

Prohibits parking of motor vehicles on the grounds of Iolani Palace. Requires DAGS to remove the blacktop, parking area, and paid parking adjacent to Iolani Palace. Requires DLNR to develop and maintain a pedestrian area adjacent to Iolani Palace. Requires DAGS and DLNR to report on cost analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 495 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit all members of the Hawaii Legislature to a maximum of sixteen years of service. This would directly affect current and future legislators by restricting how long they can serve in either the House or Senate. The key provision establishes a clear, fixed term limit without exceptions, applying uniformly to all legislative seats. The bill does not alter existing term rules but would require a constitutional amendment vote if passed. (Note: This is a procedural bill; it has not yet been voted on by the full Legislature.)

Requires the office of legislative analyst to produce fiscal notes on all fiscal bills. Prohibits a committee from making a decision on a fiscal bill without a fiscal note. Mandates that fiscal notes be made available to the public. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summaryHB 574 would create a $3,000 income tax credit for retired Hawaii National Guard service members, directly reducing their state tax liability. The bill provides this credit as a specific policy change to support veterans who served in the state's National Guard. It does not alter tax rates or create new obligations but offers a concrete financial benefit to eligible retired members. The legislation is currently pending in the 2026 session after being carried over from 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 291 clarifies situations where the use of deadly force in self-defense is not permitted. It removes the requirement for individuals to retreat or surrender property before using deadly force in response to an immediate threat. The bill directly affects people claiming self-defense in legal cases by simplifying the standard for when lethal force may be justified. This change aims to update the legal framework for self-protection without expanding or restricting existing rights.