Rep. Elijah Pierick

Maddy summaryHB 846 raises the dollar threshold for the handyman exemption under contractor licensing law from $1,500 to $2,500 per job. This change directly affects small home repair contractors who perform work below the new threshold, allowing them to operate without a state contractor license for those specific jobs. The key provision modifies the existing exemption rule to increase the maximum value of work that qualifies as "handyman" work without requiring licensing. This is a procedural adjustment to the licensing law, not a new policy.

Adds psychology, physician assistant, marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, clinical social worker, rehabilitation counselor, and school counselor students to the definition of "eligible student" under the qualifications for the healthcare preceptor tax credit. Amends the definition of "preceptor" by adding psychologists, physician assistants, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, clinical social workers, rehabilitation counselors, and school counselors to the list of preceptors eligible to receive the tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.

Maddy summaryHB 887 requires human services providers (such as home care or childcare agencies) to pay workers the prevailing wage rate for similar work in their area. This means providers must pay standard local wages, not lower rates, for services like personal care or early childhood education. The bill directly affects agencies employing these workers by mandating fair compensation based on regional wage standards. It is a new legislative requirement currently pending introduction.

Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the City and County of Honolulu, to assess and develop an improvement plan for emergency evacuation routes along the Waianae coast. Authorizes the Department to request input and assistance from the United States Navy. Requires a report to the Legislature.

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

Establishes a refundable Family Caregiver Tax Credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the department of taxation to report to the legislature before the convening of each regular session.

Exempts from the general excise tax amounts received by a nurse entrepreneur for health care-related goods and services purchased under Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE.

Amend the State's regulation of sun screening devices on motor vehicles by lowering the allowable amount of light transmittance for vehicle windows from 35%, plus or minus 6%, to 25%, plus or minus 5%.

Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Condominium Associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Updates the Condominium Property Act to integrate the role and functions of the ombudsman's office for condominium associations. Appropriates funds for establishment of the Ombudsman's Office for Condominium Associations.

Provides for a sentence of death or life imprisonment without possibility of parole upon a conviction for sex trafficking. Requires a separate sentencing proceeding by a jury, except if waived by the defendant, for a conviction for sex trafficking. Makes commercial sexual exploitation a class A felony. Makes conforming amendments.