Rep. Kanani Souza

Appropriates funds to increase the funding for Medicaid in-home services, conditioned on the Department of Human Services obtaining the maximum federal matching funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1489 allocates state funds to the Department of Human Services (DHS) to administer core homelessness services. It directly affects individuals experiencing homelessness by providing resources for essential support programs, though the specific services (e.g., shelters, case management) are not detailed in the abstract. The bill’s key mechanism is funding distribution through DHS, requiring the department to manage these services under the state’s homelessness strategy. As of its current status, the bill is pending in the 2026 Regular Session after being referred to relevant committees in 2025.

Establishes the civic education trust fund to support programs benefiting civic education of public school students. Appropriates funds for the expansion of civic education in the public schools and for full-time equivalent permanent civic education resource teacher positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 822 would require certain employers in the state to provide leave for employees experiencing reproductive loss, such as miscarriage or stillbirth. It directly affects employees who have pregnancy losses and the employers covered by the bill. The key provision mandates that eligible employers offer this leave as a standard employment benefit. The bill is currently pending committee review for the 2026 Regular Session.

Extends the State's energy-efficiency portfolio standards from 2030 to 2045 and updates the standards. Authorizes the public utilities commission to adjust the 2045 and interim standards.

Establishes and appropriates moneys for a Charli Alert program to help locate persons who are 18 to 64 years old, missing, and thought to be in danger.

Establishes an exemption from applicable county permit requirements for repetitive construction projects for facilities under the control of any state department or agency, under certain conditions. Clarifies that, except for projects in special flood hazard areas, contracts for the construction, renovation, or repair of facilities under the control of the Department of Education, University of Hawaii, or School Facilities Authority shall be exempt from county permitting requirements that related off-site improvements be made by the contracting government agency as a condition to the issuance of any permit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a program to award high school diplomas to persons who did not receive a diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services and persons whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the City and County of Honolulu to transfer to the State the City and County of Honolulu's authority to construct a Makakilo Drive extension. Appropriates moneys.

Maddy summaryHB 627 allocates funds to the Department of Education to hire staff positions focused on implementing and maintaining school safety measures. It directly affects public schools by providing resources to enhance safety protocols through dedicated personnel. The bill’s key provision is the appropriation of funding specifically for these safety-related roles, rather than altering existing safety standards. The measure is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 3000 (note: likely a typo for 2030, per standard legislative dates).