Rep. Lisa Marten

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to collaborate with partners on increasing investment in reforestation efforts across public and private lands. It calls for expanded policies, financial incentives, workforce development, and nursery capacity to support planting native trees and restoring degraded forest areas. The resolution specifically asks the department to modernize state nurseries, partner with private seed producers, and address barriers like invasive species and fencing costs to make reforestation more feasible for landowners. It emphasizes that these actions aim to improve water supply, climate resilience, and economic opportunities while supporting Hawaii's ecological and cultural values.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that expresses support for using existing funds to help finance early-stage costs for government affordable housing projects in Hawaii. It specifically endorses allowing interim loans from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to cover predevelopment expenses like site analysis, design work, and permit preparation for projects owned or managed by government entities. The resolution states that these loans would be repaid by developers through permanent financing once the project is completed, aiming to speed up the delivery of affordable housing. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create new laws or change regulations but instead communicates legislative support for this funding approach to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal sister-state relationship between the State of Hawaii and the Prefecture of Okayama in Japan, creating an official framework for ongoing cooperation between the two regions. The resolution, which requires no new funding or legal changes, authorizes the transmission of certified copies to relevant government officials and international partners to formalize the partnership. It recognizes existing historical ties dating back to 1868, including Japanese immigration to Hawaii and decades of grassroots exchanges, while outlining shared interests in tourism, agriculture, education, and cultural preservation. The Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission recommended this relationship based on mutual benefits for residents, businesses, and communities in both jurisdictions.

Requires the design of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide that a number of the parking stalls, as determined by the Department of Accounting and General Services, shall be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Requires certain employers to provide administrative leave of absence for victims of workplace violence or threat of workplace violence. Expands the type of certification an employee may provide to an employer if the leave exceeds five days per calendar year. Prohibits retaliation against employees for exercising rights related to domestic violence, sexual violence, or workplace violence or threat of workplace violence. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Establishes strict liability for crimes against elders with respect to the attendant circumstance that the victim was seventy years of age or older. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Establishes safeguards, protections, oversight, and penalties for interactions between minors and artificial intelligence companion systems or conversational artificial intelligence services. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Requires any existing habitat conservation plan that does not include an agreement for emergency medical and rehabilitation services for affected native wildlife to be amended to include the services in the agreement. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)

Includes housing projects for individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs as eligible projects to apply for expedited permits. Requires reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Formally codifies the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. Requires a participant in the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program who receives a new award on or after July 1, 2027, to remain and work in the State for a certain number of years based on the amount of financial assistance received. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD2)