Rep. Jeanné Kapela

Requires, and appropriates funds for, the Department of Education to establish a standards-based Water Safety Education Pilot Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 923 is a short-form bill that relates to culture but does not specify particular provisions or requirements in its current text. As a procedural measure, it has been introduced and passed its first reading but has not yet been assigned to a committee for further review. The bill has been carried over to the 2026 Regular Session pending additional action. Without more detailed language, it is unclear what specific cultural policies or changes the legislation would implement.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a digital navigator pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices to residents.

Expands the protections established under Act 2, SLH 2023, to include gender-affirming health care services. Clarifies jurisdiction under the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act for cases involving children who obtain gender-affirming health care services.

Establishes the Hawaii Space Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to promote innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace. Appropriates moneys.

Requires the Department of Education to establish and administer a three-year student athlete travel pilot program to provide funding for intra-county travel expenses for student athletes of counties with a population of less than 500,000. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/28. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the counties to adopt ordinances for the regulation of retention and detention ponds. Requires the counties to conduct a survey of existing retention and detention ponds and make a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the counties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryHB 663 would authorize special vehicle license plates in Hawaii to commemorate the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). This bill directly affects Hawaii drivers who may choose to purchase these commemorative plates. The key provision is the formal authorization for the state to issue these plates, which would serve as a tribute to OHA’s role in Hawaiian affairs. The bill is currently pending committee review after being deferred by the relevant committee.

Maddy summaryHB 684 would gradually eliminate the "tip credit," a practice allowing employers to count tips toward meeting the minimum wage requirement for tipped workers. This change would directly affect restaurant servers, bartenders, and other tipped employees, as well as the businesses that employ them. The bill's key mechanism is a phased approach over time, replacing the current system where employers could offset part of the minimum wage with reported tips, ensuring tipped workers receive the full minimum wage without relying on tip counts.

Establishes statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion. Requires each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to divert certain organic waste generated within the county in alignment with established state benchmarks. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)