Rep. Elijah Pierick

Repeals the authority for campaign funds to carry over to subsequent elections. Requires, at the latest, for campaign funds not expended to escheat to the State after a certain period. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to make reasonable efforts to return escheated funds to contributors with any remaining balance to fund partially publicly financed campaigns.

Maddy summaryHB 1253 establishes the Hawaii Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) Program, which directly affects individuals on probation in Hawaii. The bill creates a structured probation program focused on swift, certain, and graduated sanctions for probation violations, rather than immediate incarceration. Administered by the Hawaii Judiciary, the program aims to improve probation compliance and reduce recidivism through consistent oversight and targeted interventions. This is a procedural bill creating a new program framework, not a substantive policy change to existing laws.

Prohibits landlords, including those operating in public housing and educational dorm settings, from renting a dwelling unit that the landlord knows has a current bed bug infestation. Establishes procedures that landlords shall take upon receiving notice of an actual or suspected bed bug infestation.

Requires the department of education to equip all classroom doors with interior locks, maintain a public address system, feature an emergency access route, and maintain fire alarms. Mandates the establishment of school emergency plans. Requires schools conduct regular testing and emergency preparedness drills. Appropriates funds.

Requires the department of education to prohibit cell phone use during the instructional day, prohibit student access to social media through the school's internet, and implement a social media education campaign. Creates exemptions for students requiring accommodations, emergency situations, and teacher authorizations.

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 any commercial entity that knowingly publishes pornographic material on an internet website that is accessible to persons in the State to use an age verification system to ensure that the pornographic material is not accessed by a minor.

Requires DAGS and DPS, in consultation with the legislature and other entities, to plan and implement security improvements at the state capitol. Requires DAGS to remove all parking meters from the capitol parking facility and reallocate parking in the capitol district. Appropriates funds.

Proposes to amend the state constitution to:(1) require the election of state justices and judges, as provided by law; authorize the governor and chief justice to make interim appointments for vacancies in the offices of the chief justice, supreme court, intermediate appellate court, and circuit courts, or district courts, respectively; and (3) repeal provisions pertaining to the judicial selection commission.

Requires counties that use neighborhood boards to ensure that: (1) Board member terms do not exceed one year; and (2) Neighborhood residents may vote for members of their corresponding neighborhood board by electronic means and in-person means. Requires certain reports to and from the Office of Elections. Appropriates moneys.