Rep. Lisa Marten

Establishes a 3-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program within the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to assist individuals who have lost Medicaid health insurance coverage and lack access to other health insurance options. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to issue premium subsidies in certain circumstances. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Allows impasses and disputes relating to the amounts of State and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) to be resolved by arbitration. Repeals the prohibition against strikes by members of bargaining units on the issue of the amounts of State and county contributions to the EUTF. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Expands the definitions of "preceptor" and "volunteer‑based supervised clinical training rotation" applicable to the Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit to improve accessibility for providers to receive income tax credits for acting as preceptors, including removing "primary care" from the criteria to qualify as a preceptor. Adds physician assistants, dietitians, and social workers to the list of preceptors and eligible students. Expands eligibility for the tax credit to include accredited residency programs that require preceptor support. Adds the Director of Health and representatives of residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summaryHB 1656 changes how much a state employee's salary or wages can be withheld to repay debts owed to the state. It amends the maximum deduction amount that a disbursing officer (the person handling payroll) can take from an employee's gross income. The bill adjusts this deduction limit based on the employee's total earnings before taxes. This directly affects state employees who have outstanding debts to the state, such as for overpayments or loans. The change aims to set clearer, income-based limits on these deductions.

Specifies that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans established by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust to provide coverage for clinical preventive services. Authorizes the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations. Clarifies that, for coverage for child health supervision services, the prevailing medical standards include recommendations by the Department of Health. Specifies that coverage for clinical preventive services shall not be denied on the basis of medical necessity or subject to prior authorization. Specifies that a registered pharmacist may order a vaccine in accordance with the recommendations from the Department of Health. Exempts this measure from an Auditor impact assessment report. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to implement a requirement that, no later than January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in certain counties for use in on-highway diesel-powered motor vehicles contains no less than five per cent biodiesel by volume, except in circumstances where the supply of biodiesel is insufficient. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit a report to the Legislature, including a comprehensive rollout plan. Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to consult with the Department of Transportation during the development and implementation of the biodiesel requirements and present DBEDT's comprehensive rollout plan to the public. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Establishes a working group within the State Building Code Council to develop proposals for an off-site construction program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1970 provides funding for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center's Hawaii Tumor Registry, which tracks cancer cases across the state. The bill directly supports the Cancer Center by enabling its data collection and analysis efforts. Key provisions include appropriating state funds to maintain and expand the registry's operations for cancer surveillance. This policy change focuses on strengthening statewide cancer data systems without altering patient care protocols or insurance coverage.

Establishes and appropriates funds in the form of grants for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program under the Department of Human Services to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. (SD1)