Rep. Lisa Marten

Authorizes a school to maintain a stock supply of bronchodilators to be administered under certain conditions. Authorizes certain employees of a school and department personnel to administer certain medication in emergency situations, under certain conditions. Amends prescription drug labeling requirements to include certain information related to a school, if applicable. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a paid family leave program for state and county employees. Authorizes a qualifying employee to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or placement of a child or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition. Requires the employee to agree to subsequently work for the employer for at least 12 weeks upon return to service except under certain conditions. Effective 1/1/2026.

By 1/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2028, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program.

Amends chapter 127A, HRS, to clarify state and county authority. Prohibits the Governor or a mayor from suspending requests for public records or vital specifics during a state of emergency. Adds definition of the term "severe warning". Allows the Legislature and county councils to terminate a state of emergency, in whole or in part, issued by the Governor or a mayor, respectively. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds to the Department of Accounting and General Services to hire a consultant to evaluate potential locations and designs for the Hawaii First Responders Memorial. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Prohibits counties from permitting or allowing retention and detention ponds to be constructed except under certain conditions. Requires the Department of Health to inspect retention and detention ponds statewide. Establishes certain safety requirements. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summaryHB 623 requires public school districts to adopt a policy banning student phone use during school hours. This applies to all public school students and would require schools to enforce the ban during instructional time. The bill directs the Board of Education to develop the specific policy framework for implementation. It is currently pending in committee for the 2025-2026 session.

Requires the counties to adopt the Hawaii state building codes no later than one year after its adoption. Authorizes a county with a population in excess of 500,000 to amend its building energy conservation code to require more stringent energy-saving performance.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as an investigator in a position identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or Department of the Attorney General as a labor shortage or difficult—to-fill position, subject to certain conditions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction to include in the director's annual report to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as investigators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 334 makes intentionally destroying or damaging traffic cameras a class C felony, effective July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects individuals who deliberately damage these cameras, imposing serious criminal penalties. Key provisions establish that such actions will be prosecuted as a class C felony, a significant criminal charge. This policy change specifically targets vandalism of traffic enforcement infrastructure, not traffic citation issuance or driver behavior.