Rep. Amy Perruso

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires each county to implement fare-free access to its public transportation systems. Establishes the Fare-Free Public Transportation Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax on petroleum products to fund fare-free public transportation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Clarifies the employment status of certain delivery drivers under state laws related to workers' compensation, wage and hour, temporary disability insurance, family leave, tax classification of business relationships, and unemployment insurance by establishing conditions under which delivery drivers are deemed employees of the business operating the delivery program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 2414 implements recommendations from Act 245, SLH 2024 to amend the Hawaii Penal Code, but the provided abstract does not specify the exact changes or who the bill directly affects. The bill’s key mechanisms remain unclear from the available context, as it only references broader administrative updates to the Penal Code without detailing provisions. The Hawaii House Judiciary, Health, and Agriculture (JHA) committee recently recommended passing the bill with amendments, but no concrete policy changes are described in the summary. Without specific details on the proposed Penal Code amendments, a substantive summary of the bill’s policy impact cannot be provided.

Recognizes prior teaching experience at an equal salary rating for teachers entering or reentering into the service of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the State's youth and adult correctional facilities to provide free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated persons in state correctional facilities. Prohibits any state agency from deriving revenue or financial benefit from the provision of communication services to persons confined in state correctional facilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish service quality standards and rules for the free voice communication services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Authorizes a school to maintain a stock supply of over-the-counter oral antihistamines to be administered under certain conditions. Authorizes school personnel to administer the over-the-counter oral antihistamine medication, under certain conditions.

Prohibits the Public Utilities Commission from approving costs of infrastructure, operations and maintenance, fuel, or other costs relating to supplying and using liquefied natural gas unless certain conditions are met. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to consider the effect of fossil fuels on renewable energy, stranded investment risks and costs, and costs and risks of reliance on a single fuel supply or monopoly supplier when making determinations of the reasonableness of the costs pertaining to electric or gas utility system capital improvements and operations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a Hawaii Rx kids program to improve the economic stability of households with very young children who reside in the State through a one-time payment and several monthly payments.

Authorizes the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, to establish the Shade and Fruit Tree Program to support educational activities and encourage propagation of native shade trees and fruit trees for planting in Department of Education schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a framework that provides counties or their subdivisions priority and the right of first refusal to obtain intergovernmental agreements related to the disposition of water resources for public purposes. Establishes criteria to be applied when determining that the issuance of a state water license is in the best interest of the State.