Rep. Jeanné Kapela

Amends the process for the hiring of the Executive Director of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee. Specifies that the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for the appointment, oversight, and administrative authority over the Executive Director of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee. Requires any formal position, recommendation, or advisory action of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee to be adopted at a duly noticed public meeting at which a quorum is present. Amends the reporting requirements of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

PART II: Allows certain extensions of the deadline for cesspool conversions. Establishes a goal for the Department of Health to prioritize the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools that pose the highest risk to human health or the environment. PART III: Authorizes and appropriates funds to the Department of Health to retain qualified consultants as necessary to identify necessary public outreach and education resources and tools and develop a comprehensive public outreach strategy and website to educate property owners and wastewater industry professionals about information and resources regarding the State's cesspool upgrade, conversion, and connection requirements and deadlines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Human Services to allow a full earned income disregard for individuals with disabilities who are between the ages of sixteen and sixty-four years when determining eligibility for Medicaid. Takes effect upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 2534 would appropriate state funds to the Department of Education to establish robotics as an official interscholastic sport for public high schools. If passed, it would allow schools to form competitive robotics teams under state guidelines, with the Department developing program rules by July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects public high school students and athletic programs by creating a new competitive category. It is currently pending in the Education Committee after passing committee recommendations with amendments.

Requires public schools to report to the Department of Education any incident involving physical violence. Requires the Department of Education to collect and maintain data on incidents involving physical violence at public schools and make such data publicly available. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Authorizes state agencies to implement automatic voter registration if designated by the Office of Elections. Requires eligible applicants for instruction permits, provisional licenses, driver's licenses, and identification cards to be automatically registered or preregistered to vote unless the applicant opts out. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryHB 1742 authorizes the construction and occupancy of self-contained temporary housing units (like modular or portable homes with basic living facilities), directly affecting housing developers, property owners, and residents seeking such housing. The bill establishes a legal framework for these units but includes unspecified restrictions on their use, location, or design. It does not specify additional requirements like safety standards or tenant protections, focusing solely on permitting the units' existence. This is a substantive housing policy change, not a procedural measure.

Between 7/1/2026 and 12/31/2028, authorizes each county planning agency to petition the Land Use Commission for a district boundary amendment to reclassify certain lands within the agricultural district to the rural district through the district boundary amendment process. Repeals 12/31/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally supports the University of Hawaii at Manoa Faculty Senate's request for university leaders to commit to defending students, faculty, and staff who exercise their rights to academic freedom and free speech. The resolution expresses concern that proposed revisions to the university's "Time, Place, and Manner" policies could restrict expressive activities and create an antagonistic relationship between the administration and the university community. It calls on university leadership to avoid restricting rights to academic freedom and free speech, citing historical examples of the university's role in protecting civil liberties. The resolution directs copies to the Board of Regents, the University President, and the Manoa Faculty Senate.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation's East Hawaiʻi Regional Health Care System to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a rural health clinic or similar access point to serve the Volcano community. The study will examine potential locations, operational models such as part-time providers or mobile clinics, staffing needs, costs, and partnership opportunities with local organizations. The bill aims to address the community's lack of direct primary care access and emergency stabilization capacity, which are compounded by geographic isolation and environmental hazards. If the study finds it viable, the resolution directs the health system to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.