Rep. Kanani Souza

Expands workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma of the respiratory system; cancer of the buccal cavity, colon, pharynx, and thyroid; and malignant melanoma. Specifies that an employer may prove that the cancer or disease was not associated with the firefighting duties to deny medical benefits under workers' compensation law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires contested cases, environmental assessment cases, or environmental impact statement cases involving renewable energy projects over twenty megawatts in size, except cases that involve any form of incineration, to be appealed from an agency's decision directly to the Hawaii Supreme Court for final decision. Requires the cases to be prioritized and decided expeditiously. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 840 allocates funding to the University of Hawaii athletics departments. The bill directly affects UH athletic programs by providing dedicated financial resources for their operations. Key provisions include appropriating specified funds, effective July 1, 3000, to support athletics department needs. This is a straightforward funding measure with no complex mechanisms or additional requirements beyond the allocation.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish additional permanent mental health practitioner positions within the Division of Student Success' Counseling and Student Development Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 98 allows public school complexes to use authentic assessments - such as real-world projects, presentations, or portfolios - as part of classroom-based performance evaluations for students. It directly affects teachers and school districts by expanding assessment options beyond traditional tests. The bill requires schools to implement these assessments within their existing classroom structures, without mandating new statewide testing. Effective July 1, 3000, this change aims to provide more diverse ways to measure student learning. The bill passed committee with amendments in February 2025, reflecting broad support for this classroom-focused approach.

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)

Requires the Department of Education to authorize and facilitate complex areas or individual public schools to form their own farm to school meal programs through partnerships to meet the local farm to school meal goal of thirty per cent of food served in the school to consist of locally sourced products by 2030. Allows the Department of Education to establish a plant-based meal program no later than the 2026-2027 school year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds for critical repairs, maintenance, demolition, design, and construction for facilities of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Establishes and appropriates funds for positions within the University of Hawaii for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 123 exempts state-level fisheries operations and management activities from standard environmental review requirements. This directly affects commercial and recreational fisheries operators, fishery management entities, and state agencies managing fisheries resources. The bill removes the need for separate environmental assessments when making decisions about fishery management within the state, streamlining regulatory processes for these activities.

Establishes additional regulations for the registration and use of electric bicycles. Amends the definition of electric bicycles subject to various state laws and classifies electric bicycles by top assisted speed. Defines "electric micro mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro mobility devices. Prohibits anyone under fifteen from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Increasing the age for those required to wear a helmet when operating a bicycle. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)