Rep. Scot Matayoshi

Beginning 7/1/2026, authorizes the State Historic Preservation Division to contract its review of proposed state projects and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants under certain circumstances. Establishes requirements for qualified third-party consultants providing review services. Requires the project proponent to pay the reasonable fee requirements of the third-party consultant. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to publish a draft of its proposed rules and later present its proposed final rules to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD1)

Makes the Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Program permanent within the Office of Youth Services. Requires the program to collaborate with certain state and county departments. Authorizes the Office of Youth Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide shelters for homeless youth or young adults. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Expands existing crisis intervention programs by requiring, and appropriating funds for, the Department of Health to establish a Homeless Triage and Treatment Center Program within its Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division to serve homeless individuals and individuals at risk of homelessness with substance abuse issues or mental illness. Requires the Crisis Intervention and Diversion Services Program to redirect certain homeless persons to the appropriate health care system and services. Authorizes the program to include intensive mobile outreach services. Requires appropriations for the program to be used only for services contracted directly between the Department of Health and the service provider. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHB 474 allocates funds to the Department of Health to support its existing Fall Prevention Campaign. The bill directly affects the Department of Health by providing dedicated funding for ongoing fall prevention efforts, which target reducing injuries among older adults. Key provisions include appropriating specific budget resources to sustain current campaign activities like community outreach and safety education. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, and does not create new requirements for individuals or organizations.

Establishes, with certain exceptions, standardized cognitive assessments for qualified Medicare beneficiaries. Establishes a two-year Dementia Data Pilot Program within the Executive Office on Aging to collect and analyze cognitive assessment data. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to report de-identified aggregated data to the Legislature. (CD1)

Establishes a Medi-Medi Project within the Executive Office on Aging to assist older adults, Medicare beneficiaries, individuals with disabilities, and other underserved populations who may qualify for various low-income subsidy programs to gain access to their benefits. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for staff and operating expenses. Requires and appropriates funds for the Executive Office on Aging to develop a one-year pilot project to provide the Medi-Medi Project to kupuna and families living in a disadvantaged community, specifically the Kalihi Valley catchment areas. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHB 703 extends the deadline for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna (Hawaiian elders) from its original sunset date to June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects low-income Kupuna residents in Hawaii who rely on the program to help cover housing costs. The key provision is simply extending the program's operational deadline, ensuring continued eligibility for participants without altering the program's structure or funding. As a procedural extension, the bill does not introduce new benefits or requirements.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires manufactured hemp product distributors and manufactured hemp product retailers to obtain a certificate of registration from DOH. Establishes the offense of unlawful hemp distribution or retailing. Specifies the authority to inspect businesses engaged in the distribution and sale of, and authority to seize or confiscate, products containing or derived from hemp. Prohibits the sale of tinctures to persons under twenty-one years of age. Specifies that the offense of unlawful hemp distribution or retailing is subject to nuisance abatement proceedings. Establishes that a violation of the hemp processor laws constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice and unfair method of competition subject to a civil penalty. Allows funds in the Hawaii Hemp Processing Special Fund to be used by DOH for the registry of manufactured hemp product distributors and retailers. Authorizes the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation to administer the hemp processors program. Establishes that every building, premises, or place used for the purpose of violating the hemp processors law is a nuisance subject to abatement. (CD1)

Appropriates funds for the Family Health Services Division of the Department of Health to establish and oversee peer-to-peer support programs for children from birth to age five and their families, including the establishment of program specialist positions. (CD1)

Permits the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to enter into contracts with eligible employers or registered apprenticeship programs in the private sector to provide on-the-job training to eligible interns. Establishes a state internship and workforce development program. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to collaborate with the Department of Human Resources Development for placement of interns in state executive branch departments, agencies, and programs. Provides that the State shall be the responsible employer for purposes of workers' compensation coverage for students or recent graduates in the on-the-job-training work experience program, subject to certain limitations. Appropriates funds. (CD1)