Rep. Jeanné Kapela

Maddy summaryHB 55 changes penalties for certain fireworks violations, upgrading them from misdemeanors to class C felonies. This directly affects individuals or businesses that violate specific fireworks laws, such as selling or possessing prohibited fireworks. The key provision increases the criminal penalties for these offenses, making them serious felony charges rather than lesser offenses. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being introduced on January 16, 2025. It does not change fireworks safety rules or accessibility, only the legal consequences for violations.

Authorizes and decriminalizes the sale of raw milk, raw milk products, and raw milk dairy products directly from producers to consumers for human consumption, subject to certain restrictions. Authorizes the direct sale of raw goat milk for pet consumption. Establishes labeling requirements. Requires the Board of Agriculture and Department of Health to adopt rules no later than 7/1/2026.

Permanently increases the state earned income tax credit to fifty per cent of the federal earned income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Creates an alternative water source income tax credit for taxpayers who install, place in service, or repair a water catchment system or who purchase water delivery services.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a data and artificial intelligence governance and decision intelligence center and necessary positions to improve data quality and data sharing statewide.

Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission's Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide information and technical assistance about available energy efficiency programs to recipients of the program. Appropriates funds.

Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that may be claimed for the household and dependent care services tax credit for five years. Repeals 6/30/2030.

Maddy summaryHB 694 establishes a refundable child tax credit for families with children in the state. This means eligible families could receive money back from the state even if they owed no income tax, directly supporting households with children. The credit applies to tax returns filed for years starting after December 31, 2025. It creates a specific financial benefit tied to the number of qualifying children in a household.

Maddy summaryHB 767 extends the deadline for voters to correct minor errors on their ballots after an election. It changes the timeframe from 5 business days to 13 calendar days, giving voters more time to fix issues like missing signatures or incorrect addresses. This directly affects voters who submit ballots with minor mistakes, ensuring they have a longer window to correct them before the ballots are rejected. The bill focuses on adjusting the administrative process for ballot curing without altering voting eligibility or election procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 684 phases out the tip credit, requiring employers to pay the full minimum wage without counting tips toward that amount. This directly affects workers in tipped occupations, such as servers and bartenders, who will receive higher base pay instead of relying on tips to meet minimum wage requirements. The bill eliminates this credit gradually over a set timeframe, rather than immediately. As a result, tipped workers will earn the full minimum wage without depending on tip income to reach the wage floor.