Rep. Lauren Matsumoto

Maddy summaryHB 767 extends the deadline for voters to fix minor errors on ballots (a process called "ballot curing") from 5 business days to 13 calendar days after an election. This change directly affects voters who submit ballots with small mistakes, such as missing signatures or incorrect addresses, giving them more time to correct these issues. The bill modifies the existing election timeline to provide greater flexibility for voters to resolve technical ballot problems. It is currently pending in the 2026 Regular Session after being carried over from 2025.

Establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation, including the free-roaming cat population, and authorizes an income tax designation to provide revenues into the special fund. Requires that female cats over the age of three months and male cats over the age of five months be surgically sterilized, with certain exceptions. Authorizes county animal control authorities to establish and enforce a permit program to allow the responsible breeding of cats. Establishes minimum requirements for breeding permits and penalties. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. Applies to taxable years after 12/31/2025. (HD1)

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow a person authorized to practice psychology in a compact state in which the person is not licensed.

Designates the neighborhood commission as the appropriate oversight authority for application of the sunshine law to neighborhood boards. Authorizes neighborhood boards to discuss official government reports without placing it on the agenda, provided that no decision-making can be made.

Requires the Department of Education to implement a plan for a Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei that shall be ready to educate students in grades kindergarten through 12 by the 2028-2029 school year. Appropriates moneys.

Prohibits officers, senior employees, consultants, and immediate family members of state or county contractors from contributing to candidate committees or noncandidate committees for the duration of the contract. Provides that if any unlawful contribution is not returned to the contributor within 30 days, the unlawful contribution shall escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund.

Amends the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended, to authorize the transfer of a living beneficiary's place on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' waitlist for any residential, agricultural, or pastoral tract to a qualified application successor who is at least one-fourth Hawaiian, if the beneficiary dies. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires that each county council district feature at least one voter service center for elections. Prioritizes using public schools as voter service centers. Requires the clerk to advertise for volunteers. Requires each county council district to have one voter service center open on election day.

Establishes a fee based on the total expenditures or disbursements made by noncandidate committees within a calendar year. Establishes a process for verification and review of proposed electioneering communications. Establishes a minimum font size for certain information that must be included on campaign advertisements.

Maddy summaryHB 282 would allow tipped employees, such as restaurant servers and bartenders, to deduct the tips they receive from their taxable income. This reduces the portion of their earnings subject to income tax. The bill directly affects workers who rely on tips as part of their income. It provides a concrete tax change without altering other tax rates or brackets.