Rep. Sean Quinlan

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for reentry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Establishes a three-year Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Pilot Program, to be administered by the Department of Agriculture. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist small businesses, including those related to the tourism sector, with technology enablement. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHB 429 appropriates state funds to hire teachers and teacher assistants, and to purchase equipment and services for public preschool programs. It directly affects public preschools by providing resources to expand staffing and facilities. The bill's key provision is the allocation of dedicated funding, which will become available starting July 1, 2050. This legislation focuses on increasing early learning capacity through financial support, without changing existing program rules.

Provides that violent felons that are in violation of the prohibition against owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition are subject to a mandatory prison term. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHCR 195 requests the University of Hawaii System to form a working group to study the feasibility of creating a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at Windward Community College. The resolution addresses Hawaii's shortage of veterinarians, particularly for rural areas and agricultural needs, by exploring how to expand the college's existing Veterinary Technology program into a DVM pathway. The working group must assess accreditation requirements, infrastructure needs, potential partnerships with mainland veterinary schools, faculty and curriculum needs, and funding options. This study would determine if establishing a local DVM program is viable before any legislative action is taken. The resolution does not create the program but initiates a feasibility review to address workforce gaps.

Maddy summaryHCR 196 is a non-binding resolution requesting the University of Hawaii Community Colleges (including UH Maui College) to create a detailed list of existing degree programs - such as bachelor's, associate, and certificate programs - that directly match regional job opportunities in key industries like tourism, agriculture, marine research, renewable energy, and healthcare. The colleges are asked to collaborate with local industry leaders and use current labor market data to align programs with each region's specific economic needs. This resolution does not mandate changes but encourages the colleges to evaluate and update their offerings based on regional workforce demands. The request applies specifically to UH Community Colleges' programs within their service areas.

Maddy summaryHR 147 establishes a legislative working group to oversee how the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands uses funds from Act 279 (which appropriated $600 million to help native Hawaiian applicants secure homestead leases). The group, composed of seven state representatives, must submit progress reports to the House by specific deadlines before the 2026 and 2027 legislative sessions and will dissolve on January 1, 2027. This resolution continues oversight originally recommended by a prior working group, following the extension of the deadline for using Act 279 funds until 2026. It does not change policy but ensures transparency about the department’s use of these funds.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the University of Hawaii Community Colleges (including Maui College) to create a list of existing degree programs - such as bachelor's, associate, and certificate courses - that match job opportunities in key local industries like tourism, health care, and renewable energy. It requires colleges to collaborate with businesses using current job market data to identify which programs align with regional economic needs. The list aims to help students choose relevant training and employers find qualified workers, without mandating changes to existing programs. This is a planning tool for alignment, not a law requiring new programs or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 188 is a House Resolution requesting the University of Hawaii System to form a working group to study the feasibility of creating a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at Windward Community College. The working group would include representatives from Windward Community College, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, agriculture, private veterinary practices, and state legislators. It would assess key factors like accreditation requirements, necessary facilities, faculty needs, funding sources, and potential partnerships with mainland veterinary schools. The resolution does not create the program but mandates a feasibility study to determine if developing a DVM program at Windward Community College is possible. The working group must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026.