Rep. Greggor Ilagan

Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Renames the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax, also known as the barrel tax, as the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security Tax; gradually increases barrel tax rates; and allocates portions of barrel tax revenues to the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund, Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund, Airport Revenue Fund, and Boating Special Fund. Establishes a refundable Carbon Cashback Tax Credit and appropriates funds to the Department of Taxation to administer the tax credit. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund to be used in the administration of the barrel tax and Carbon Cashback Tax Credit and for public awareness of the Carbon Cashback Tax Credit. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

For taxable years beginning 1/1/2027, increases the maximum annual deduction for contributions to, and maximum account levels for, individual housing accounts.

Establishes a temporary Parkinson's Patient Air Transport Feasibility Committee to examine recommendations for improving access to movement disorder care for neighbor island residents, including the feasibility of a state-administered air transport assistance fund. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a yearly reduction in the general excise tax rate on groceries and nonprescription drugs on a tiered schedule until 1/1/2034, when a full general excise tax exemption applies. Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the counties from imposing a county surcharge on groceries and nonprescription drugs. Beginning 1/1/2028, provides a general excise tax exemption on the wholesale sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1549 repeals the existing prohibition on drug paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The bill directly affects the specific law that previously banned items like pipes or bongs used with controlled substances. It removes this ban without creating new regulations or penalties. This is a straightforward repeal of an existing legal restriction, with no new provisions or mechanisms added. The bill is currently in early stages of the legislative process.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate intersections for the installation of leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, and other safety improvements, as necessary, at state-owned or operated pedestrian signal heads. Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the counties, to develop a program that allows pedestrians and community members to request the installation of accessible pedestrian signals at specific intersections. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1978 allocates state funds for planning, design, site work, and construction of a new outpatient care center in North Kona, Hawaii. The bill directly affects residents in the North Kona area who rely on outpatient health services, aiming to expand access to care. Key provisions include funding specific phases of the facility's development, from initial planning to physical construction. This is a funding measure focused on infrastructure, not a policy change affecting broader healthcare regulations.

Establishes, for a county with a population greater than three hundred thousand, enforcement procedures to prevent domiciling or storing of personal property on public property within a bus stop area, if a person does not intend to use the public transportation services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Hawaii Geological Survey in the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Designates the Director of the Survey, rather than the Geophysics and Planetology Institute specialist qualified in geology, as the State Geologist.