Rep. Diamond Garcia

Maddy summaryHB 598 prohibits health insurance plans from requiring patients to pay copays, deductibles, or other cost-sharing for certain diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations. This directly affects patients with insurance coverage who need these specific medical exams, such as those following abnormal mammogram results or for further evaluation beyond routine screening. The bill's key mechanism ensures insurers cannot impose out-of-pocket costs for these exams, making them fully covered under the plan. It applies to all health plans regulated under the bill's scope, removing financial barriers to necessary breast health diagnostics.

Establishes the Hawaii Covert Operations Against Smuggling and Transnational Threats program with the Department of Law Enforcement to combat smuggling of drugs and weapons and human trafficking.

Establishes a licensing system for medical cannabis cultivation. Facilitates the transport of medical cannabis. Expands the scope of authorized actions for medical cannabis patients. Provides that qualifying out-of-state patients need not register with the Department of Health. Protects medical cannabis patients and cultivation licenses from undue discrimination.

Requires Liquor Commissions or Boards to deny any renewal for a liquor license if the applicant for renewal has violated any provision of the Intoxicating Liquor Law under chapter 281, Hawaii Revised Statutes, on three separate occasions during the twelve-month period preceding the renewal application date.

Maddy summaryHB 291 clarifies circumstances where using deadly force in self-defense is not justified and removes the requirement for individuals to retreat or surrender property before using deadly force. The bill directly affects people who use force in self-defense scenarios, such as in home invasions or threats to personal safety. Its key provision eliminates the obligation to attempt retreat or give up possessions before resorting to deadly force. This changes the legal standard by making it easier for individuals to claim self-defense without first trying to avoid confrontation. The bill is currently pending introduction in the legislature.

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%.

Maddy summaryHB 290 establishes that harming someone aged 60 or older automatically constitutes a crime against elders, removing the need to prove the perpetrator intended to target an elder. This means prosecutors only need to confirm the victim was 60+ to charge the offense, streamlining legal proceedings for elder abuse cases. The bill directly affects prosecutors handling elder abuse cases and individuals who commit such crimes. It creates a clearer legal standard by treating elder status as a strict liability factor, not requiring proof of intent regarding the victim's age.

Maddy summaryHB 574 creates a $3,000 state income tax credit for retired Hawaii National Guard members. This credit directly reduces their annual state income tax liability by $3,000. The bill specifically applies to veterans who served in the Hawaii National Guard and have retired from service. It was introduced on January 17, 2025, and passed first reading on January 21, 2025.

Allows the Hawaii Community Development Authority to approve residential development on certain parcels of land in the Kakaako Makai area. Raises the building height limit on certain parcels in the area. Requires a certain percentage of the residential units developed on certain parcels to be allocated to households at or below a certain income level, with priority given to certain essential workforce in the area. Limits the sale of residential units developed in certain residential developments to prospective owner-occupants. Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to determine a Kakaako Makai Association Fee to be collected from all residential developments on certain parcels to be deposited into a special account in the Hawaii Community Development Revolving Fund to fund various services and projects in the Kakaako Makai area.

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.