Rep. Darius Kila

Maddy summaryHB 2152 clarifies that dog owners are legally liable when their dogs attack livestock, such as cattle or sheep. It directly affects dog owners and livestock farmers by establishing clearer legal responsibility for such incidents. The bill increases penalties for owners whose dogs cause harm to livestock and strengthens enforcement mechanisms to hold them accountable. This changes current liability rules by making owner negligence more punishable through specific fines or other sanctions.

Requires the University of Hawaii System to develop, implement, and maintain a publicly accessible, systemwide online dashboard. Requires the dashboard to include and maintain relevant information needed for students and their families for academic decision-making. Requires a preliminary report on 12/1/2026. Requires annual reports to the Legislature beginning 12/1/2027. Requires a supplementary report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2031. Sunsets 6/30/31. (CD1)

Part I: Requires drivers approaching stationary vehicles displaying warning signals to slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed and make a lane change if possible and safe to do so or come to a complete stop if necessary. Part II: Provides certain exemptions from passenger restrictions related to the operation of a pickup truck with a passenger seated in the bed or load-carrying area of the vehicle. Increases the minimum age to ride in the bed or load-carrying area of a pickup truck while in operation from twelve years of age to sixteen years of age. (CD1)

Prohibits entities from distributing unsolicited mail or electronic mail that employs high pressure tactics or is reasonably likely to cause a consumer to believe that the sender is affiliated with another entity that the sender is not actually affiliated with and the entity is asking the recipient to pay for goods, services, or forms of legal authorization, including but not limited to vehicle warranties, service contracts, home warranties, and government-issued licenses or registrations, unless certain disclosures are met. Makes contracts that fail to meet disclosure requirements voidable at the option of the consumer. (CD1)

Establishes an exemption from mediation in parentage proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse. (SD1)

Clarifies administrative driver's license revocation procedures by specifying the effect of the notice of administrative revocation and conforming related administrative review and hearing provisions. (CD1)

Authorizes SHPD to conduct a phased review of a proposed project on private property under certain circumstances. Amends the process and deadlines by which SHPD must provide written concurrence or non-concurrence for proposed projects on private property or certain projects that require state or county approval for entitlement for use, after which concurrence may be assumed and the project may move to the next step in the compliance process. Amends the conditions under which a proposed project on an existing privately owned single-family detached dwelling unit or townhouse that is over fifty years old shall be subject to section 6E-42, HRS. (CD1)

Clarifies the process for selecting a certified provider of vocational rehabilitation services. Requires certified providers to automatically approve vocational rehabilitation services for an injured employee if those services will likely be required for suitable gainful employment and the initial evaluation report finds the injured employee feasible to participate. Requires providers to file an employee's vocational rehabilitation plan no later than one hundred twenty days after submitting an initial evaluation report, unless extended by the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations. Clarifies the process for an employer to object to a vocational rehabilitation plan. (CD1)

Requires that the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board submit three nominees for its Executive Director to the Board of Education. Requires the Board of Education to appoint an Executive Director from the nominees on the list, subject to advice and consent of the Senate.

Maddy summaryHB 2415 appropriates state funds to the Department of Transportation for installing pedestrian safety improvements (like crosswalks or signage) at locations directly adjacent to school properties. It also directs the department to consider implementing similar safety measures at other high-risk sites beyond school areas. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to use these allocated funds for specific traffic safety projects, effective July 1, 3000. This policy change directly affects school communities and pedestrians near schools by directing state resources toward physical safety infrastructure.