Rep. Lisa Marten

Establishes the Hawaii Center for Policing and Criminal Justice Research within the Social Science Research Institute, College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa to house the Hawaii Crime Lab. Requires law enforcement agencies and law enforcement oversight agencies to collect and report certain data regarding law enforcement stops, uses of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab. Requires the Hawaii Crime Lab to collect and publish incident-level information and an annual report on the data collected. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to adopt rules, in coordination with the Hawaii Crime Lab, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and any community advisory boards. Appropriates funds for the establishment and operation of the Hawaii Center for Policing and Criminal Justice Research within the Social Science Research Institute, College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa to support implementation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryHB 1986 requires the state Department of Transportation to create rules by January 1, 2028, establishing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels used in vehicles. The bill mandates regular reporting to the legislature and public informational sessions about the standard's implementation. It directly affects alternative fuel providers and the Department of Transportation, setting new requirements for fuel composition and emissions. The bill is currently pending committee review (deferred until February 2026) and has not yet become law.

Establishes an unrealized gains surcharge on certain property transfers subject to the estate and generation-skipping transfer tax. Except for certain types of properties within estates, lowers the applicable exclusion amount allowed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1991 changes how liquor taxes are calculated by replacing the current system of tax categories (based on drink type, like beer or wine) with tax rates based solely on alcohol-by-volume (ABV) content. This directly affects liquor businesses that sell alcoholic beverages, as they will pay taxes according to the ABV percentage of their products instead of their category. The bill also automatically adjusts tax rates annually to account for inflation, ensuring the rates keep pace with economic changes. These changes simplify the tax structure and update it to reflect modern beverage standards.

Establishes the Music Accessibility Pilot Program within the Hawaii State Public Library System to expand access to public concerts and musical education throughout the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Amends the definition of "gambling" to include predictive markets involving the purchase, sale, or financial speculation of securities, commodities, or other similar financial products on the outcome or future contingent event related to catastrophe, contests, death, legislation, national security, people, politics, and sports. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Specifies that no state or county building code shall prohibit the use of hempcrete as a non-structural building material. Authorizes building officials to approve hempcrete construction that meets applicable safety and performance standards. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryHB 2214 creates a refundable income tax credit specifically for diaper purchases. It directly affects low-income parents or caregivers who buy diapers for children, providing financial relief for this essential expense. The credit is refundable, meaning recipients receive the full credit amount as cash even if they owe no income tax. This policy change adds a new, targeted tax benefit to the state's income tax code, replacing potential tax savings with direct cash assistance for eligible households.

Requires the health benefits plan or plans established by the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund board to meet or exceed the requirements of the Prepaid Health Care Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1).

Maddy summaryHawaii's House Resolution 4 requests the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The proposed federal law would extend these protections to employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. Hawaii already provides these protections through state law (including Act 40 of 2022), but federal law currently lacks such coverage in many areas. This resolution serves as a formal request to Congress to close the gap in nationwide non-discrimination protections.