Rep. Elijah Pierick

Amends chapter 127A, HRS, to clarify state and county authority. Prohibits the Governor or a mayor from suspending requests for public records or vital specifics during a state of emergency. Adds definition of the term "severe warning". Allows the Legislature and county councils to terminate a state of emergency, in whole or in part, issued by the Governor or a mayor, respectively. 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.

Maddy summaryHB 623 requires public school districts to adopt a policy banning student phone use during school hours. This applies to all public school students and would require schools to enforce the ban during instructional time. The bill directs the Board of Education to develop the specific policy framework for implementation. It is currently pending in committee for the 2025-2026 session.

Requires the counties to adopt the Hawaii state building codes no later than one year after its adoption. Authorizes a county with a population in excess of 500,000 to amend its building energy conservation code to require more stringent energy-saving performance.

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.

Creates an offshore wind energy working group to generate a roadmap to define standards to consider in the developmental process for offshore wind energy. Requires the working group to submit a report to the legislature prior to the 2027 regular session.

Maddy summaryHB 334 makes intentionally destroying or damaging traffic cameras a class C felony, effective July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects individuals who deliberately damage these cameras, imposing serious criminal penalties. Key provisions establish that such actions will be prosecuted as a class C felony, a significant criminal charge. This policy change specifically targets vandalism of traffic enforcement infrastructure, not traffic citation issuance or driver behavior.