Prohibits the State and counties from adopting or ordaining any rules, regulations, or ordinances that infringe upon a parent's right to direct the upbringing, education, care, and welfare of the parent's child, except in certain narrowly tailored circumstances.
Establishes a three-year pilot program within the early learning system to administer a home-based early learning program. Serves three and four-year-old children. Provides individualized software instruction in reading, mathematics, and science. Appropriates funds.
Maddy summaryHB 917 would require a minimum prison sentence for individuals convicted of possessing methamphetamine or fentanyl. It directly affects people charged with these specific drug possession offenses by eliminating judicial discretion in sentencing for these crimes. The bill's key provision mandates a fixed term of imprisonment without consideration of individual circumstances, such as prior record or mitigating factors. This legislation is currently pending in committee and has not yet advanced to a vote.
Appropriates funds to the Department of Accounting and General Services to hire a consultant to evaluate potential locations and designs for the Hawaii First Responders Memorial. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Increases the category of offense for criminal trespass in the first and second degree and criminal property damage in the second, third, and fourth degree.
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.
Prohibits parking of motor vehicles on the grounds of Iolani Palace. Requires DAGS to remove the blacktop, parking area, and paid parking adjacent to Iolani Palace. Requires DLNR to develop and maintain a pedestrian area adjacent to Iolani Palace. Requires DAGS and DLNR to report on cost analysis.
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.
