Rep. Lisa Marten

Defines "reported hate crime". Requires reporting of all possible reported hate crimes to appropriate authorities, including consistent documentation and analysis of such incidents. Requires law enforcement officers to receive annual training to identify, investigate, and document hate crimes and possible hate crimes. Requires the Attorney General to establish or update guidelines, protocols, and training materials for the reporting and investigation of hate crimes and possible hate crimes.

Requires the Director of Transportation to adopt rules that require tour aircraft operators to have aircraft liability insurance coverage no less than $5,000,000 per person per incident.

Maddy summaryHB 581 allocates state funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) for constructing new housing units specifically for Native Hawaiians eligible for Hawaiian Home Lands. The bill directly affects Native Hawaiians who qualify for DHHL housing under state law by enabling the development of new residential properties. Key provisions include authorizing the use of appropriated funds for new construction projects on Hawaiian Home Lands, rather than repairs or existing units. This funding mechanism aims to expand housing availability for the designated population through DHHL's development programs.

Maddy summaryHB 693 limits how much and how often landlords can raise rent for residential properties within a one-year period. It directly affects landlords who set rental rates and tenants who pay them, capping annual rent increases to provide more housing cost stability. The bill establishes a specific maximum percentage increase allowed per year and restricts how frequently landlords can implement such hikes. This change aims to prevent sudden, excessive rent jumps without altering other landlord-tenant rules.

Prohibits the smoking of cannabis and the smoking of cannabis for medical use, including via an electronic smoking device, in any area accessible by the public.

Establishes a working group within the Hawaii State Energy Office to make recommendations for the reuse and recycling of electric vehicle batteries and requires a report to the Legislature.

Prohibits officers, senior employees, consultants, and immediate family members of state or county contractors from contributing to candidate committees or noncandidate committees for the duration of the contract. Provides that if any unlawful contribution is not returned to the contributor within 30 days, the unlawful contribution shall escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 507 appropriates funds for a pilot grant program to help property owners comply with cesspool regulations. It directly affects property owners in areas with cesspools by providing financial assistance through a limited pilot project, not by changing existing rules. The bill does not create new requirements but allocates money to test a compliance support model. This is a procedural funding measure, not a policy change. (1 sentence summary for a procedural bill)

Makes permanent the amendments made by Act 163, SLH 2023, to the state earned income tax credit and refundable food/excise tax credit. Amends the income thresholds and credit amounts for the low-income household renters tax credit and refundable food/excise tax credit. Amends the state earned income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Establishes a fee based on the total expenditures or disbursements made by noncandidate committees within a calendar year. Establishes a process for verification and review of proposed electioneering communications. Establishes a minimum font size for certain information that must be included on campaign advertisements.