Requires county permitting agencies to establish and fill positions exclusively to process permit applications submitted for state projects. Appropriates funds.
Requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a climate education, environmental sustainability, and indigenous knowledge into the K-12 curriculum and climate education and environmental sustainability teacher training and professional development programs. Requires the University of Hawaii to develop and implement a series of courses on climate education and environmental sustainability, to be completed by every student prior to the student's graduation, and establish sustainability practices across all university campuses to promote sustainability. Requires the Department of Education and University of Hawaii to conduct annual sustainability audits across their respective campuses to assess the progress of each campus in integrating sustainability into their curriculum and operations.
Maddy summaryHB 607 proposes making it a Class A felony (the most serious criminal charge) to cause serious bodily injury or death through reckless or negligent fireworks use. This bill directly affects individuals who handle fireworks in a way that results in harm, potentially facing the highest level of criminal penalties. The key mechanism establishes new criminal liability for fireworks-related injuries or fatalities, moving such incidents from lesser offenses to felony-level punishment. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 legislative session after being introduced in January 2025.
Continues a licensing scheme for licensed certified midwives and licensed certified professional midwives, to be overseen by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Reestablishes the home birth task force to provide recommendations on issues related to home births. Dissolves the task force on 6/30/2026. Requires reports to the Legislature.
Requires the Department of Education to establish a climate literacy certificate program to provide students with an advanced understanding of climate change through academic coursework and hands-on learning.
Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Prohibits the use of algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii's rental market. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop and undertake a public education program regarding the prohibition.
Maddy summaryHB 149 requires domestic and foreign corporations operating in the state to provide shareholders with annual reports detailing the corporation's independent political expenditures and contributions. This directly affects corporations that make political spending and their shareholders, who gain transparency into how company funds are used in political activities. The key provision mandates that corporations disclose specific details about political spending to shareholders annually, rather than reporting to government agencies. The bill focuses on increasing shareholder oversight of corporate political spending without altering campaign finance rules for candidates or political committees.
Proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the terms of members of the Legislature, as provided by law, for terms beginning after the general election of 2028.
Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission's Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide information and technical assistance about available energy efficiency programs to recipients of the program. Appropriates funds.
