Rep. Amy Perruso

Maddy summaryHB 133 allocates state funds to the Department of Education to establish surfing as an official interscholastic sport in public high schools. This bill directly affects public high schools by providing resources to develop surfing programs, including equipment, coaching, and competition structures. The key provision is the funding appropriation specifically for creating and supporting school-level surfing teams and events. It aims to expand athletic opportunities for students without requiring new legislation or altering existing sports regulations. The bill is currently under committee review with a recommendation to pass.

Maddy summaryHB 862 allows school districts to use motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for student transportation services, provided they meet specific safety and operational requirements. This bill directly affects public school districts that rely on transportation services for students. The key provision expands the types of vehicles eligible for school bus use beyond standard school buses, while requiring compliance with established safety standards. The bill passed committee with amendments in February 2025 but has not yet become law.

Expands the offense of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee to include roasted coffee. Imposes a mandatory minimum fine of $7,500 for each separate offense of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee. (CD1)

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics, and an environmental health and safety officer staff position. (CD1)

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a statewide needs assessment to determine what will be needed to reduce waste generation, increase reuse, improve recycling collection services, and expand local processing of materials through an extended producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products. Establishes an advisory council to review the draft needs assessment and propose recommendations throughout the assessment process. Requires the Department of Health to hold a public hearing on the draft needs assessment and complete and submit the needs assessment to the Legislature by 12/31/2027. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Clarifies that Act 130, SLH 2024, which amended the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, takes effect on the earlier of the date of the Secretary of the Interior's notification letter that Act 130 does not require congressional approval, or on the date that the United States Congress approval becomes law. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 345 proposes to establish the ‘ōpae ‘ula as the official state shrimp of Hawaii. This designation aims to support the protection of anchialine pool ecosystems throughout the islands, which are the natural habitat for the ‘ōpae ‘ula.

Allows a patient who has been seen in person by a health care provider who is in the same medical group as the prescribing provider authorized pursuant to section 329-33, HRS, to be prescribed an opiate prescription for a three-day supply or less via telehealth. (SD1)

Increases the domiciliary care rates for certain providers and clarifies that the needs allowance and domiciliary care rates are included in the state supplemental payment ceiling amounts. Effective 10/1/2025. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHCR 200 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaii's State Department of Agriculture and Maui County's Agriculture Department to address axis deer overpopulation. It highlights that overgrazing by axis deer harms native plants that prevent erosion and natural disasters, while noting these deer represent a potential food source. The resolution specifically calls for making USDA-certified meat inspections more accessible and affordable for local hunters, increasing the number of USDA-certified inspectors for game mammals, and establishing a joint task force to develop a venison processing and distribution program. The task force must report by November 2025 with findings and recommendations, including potential legislation. This resolution does not create new laws but formally requests specific actions from state and county agencies.