Rep. Darius Kila

Maddy summaryHB 2001 designates the first Friday in February of each year as "Love My Library Day" statewide, encouraging public appreciation for libraries. This symbolic bill affects all public libraries and library users by establishing an annual observance day. It does not create new funding, regulations, or policy changes - only a ceremonial designation. The bill is currently pending committee review after passing its first reading.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile and maintain a public list of recommended safe patient staffing ratios for all nursing specialties across various healthcare settings. The measure aims to address concerns about nurse workload and patient safety by gathering existing standards from other states and industry recommendations rather than setting new legal requirements. Healthcare facilities are urged to consider these compiled ratios when determining staffing levels, and the information will be made publicly available before the 2027 legislative session. The resolution focuses on creating a centralized resource to inform decision-making by providers, policymakers, and the public about staffing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the University of Hawaii to create a specific language pathway for the Niihau dialect of Hawaiian, recognizing it as distinct from other Hawaiian language programs. The resolution acknowledges that Niihau speakers maintain a unique dialect due to the island's isolation and continued use of Hawaiian as their primary language of thought. It aims to protect this linguistic heritage by formally requesting the university to accommodate Niihau-specific language education rather than integrating it into general Hawaiian language curricula. The measure directs a copy of the resolution to the University of Hawaii System president to facilitate implementation of this educational pathway.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting to create a countywide housing pattern book containing pre-approved residential designs that meet safety and building codes. The pattern book would include various housing types such as accessory dwelling units and low- to mid-rise buildings, featuring culturally appropriate and climate-responsive design elements. By using these pre-reviewed designs, developers could access streamlined permitting processes to reduce costs and construction delays. The resolution also calls for a design competition to source innovative plans and requires collaboration with architects, builders, and community stakeholders. Once completed, the pattern book would be made publicly available to help accelerate the production of safe and affordable housing across Oahu.

Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Requires the State or a county to reimburse an officer or employee for work-related travel costs that the officer or employee loaned to the State or a county within thirty calendar days of submitting an approved statement of completed travel. Requires the State or a county to pay interest on a loan not reimbursed within thirty calendar days until the loan is fully reimbursed. Obligates an officer or employee to request a complete refund from the travel vendor for travel not taken for good cause. Entitles an officer or employee to reimbursement from the State or a county when a travel vendor offers a partial refund or no refund. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Establishes a 3-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program within the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to assist individuals who have lost Medicaid health insurance coverage and lack access to other health insurance options. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to issue premium subsidies in certain circumstances. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Allows impasses and disputes relating to the amounts of State and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) to be resolved by arbitration. Repeals the prohibition against strikes by members of bargaining units on the issue of the amounts of State and county contributions to the EUTF. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Expands the definitions of "preceptor" and "volunteer‑based supervised clinical training rotation" applicable to the Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit to improve accessibility for providers to receive income tax credits for acting as preceptors, including removing "primary care" from the criteria to qualify as a preceptor. Adds physician assistants, dietitians, and social workers to the list of preceptors and eligible students. Expands eligibility for the tax credit to include accredited residency programs that require preceptor support. Adds the Director of Health and representatives of residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summaryHB 1656 changes how much a state employee's salary or wages can be withheld to repay debts owed to the state. It amends the maximum deduction amount that a disbursing officer (the person handling payroll) can take from an employee's gross income. The bill adjusts this deduction limit based on the employee's total earnings before taxes. This directly affects state employees who have outstanding debts to the state, such as for overpayments or loans. The change aims to set clearer, income-based limits on these deductions.