Rep. Lisa Marten

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, fire chiefs, Law Enforcement Standards Board, and Department of Health to make available at least one hour of dementia‑specific training for first responders, including law enforcement officers, fire first responders, and emergency medical services personnel. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to take certain steps when reviewing and recommending dementia-specific training curricula. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1628 establishes a formal protocol for releasing incarcerated individuals who are terminally ill or have severe, debilitating medical conditions. It directly affects people currently imprisoned who meet specific health criteria, requiring correctional facilities to evaluate and refer eligible cases. The bill creates a defined process for medical assessments, review by prison officials, and court approval for release. This would change how prisons handle compassionate release by replacing ad-hoc decisions with a standardized, documented procedure. The bill is currently pending before the committee, with a hearing scheduled for February 4, 2026.

Prohibits any law enforcement agency or law enforcement official from entering into an agreement under federal law that permits state or county agencies to engage in immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officials from engaging in certain immigration-related actions, except under limited circumstances. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Establishes a Molokai Biosecurity Advisory Board. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, with the advice of the Advisory Board, to develop a Molokai Biosecurity Plan to prevent the spread of invasive species found elsewhere in the State to the island of Molokai. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Amends the conditions and procedures of alternative dispute resolution methods for condominium-related disputes, including the use of facilitative mediation, evaluative mediation, or binding arbitration. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in Hawaii, aligning with a United Nations designation. It directly affects ranchers, land managers, and agricultural organizations across the state by formally acknowledging the economic, social, and ecological importance of rangelands. The resolution encourages state agencies and the University of Hawaii to promote education and research on rangeland management while recommending policies that conserve rangelands and protect ranchers' livelihoods. Copies of the resolution are to be sent to state and local officials including the Governor, the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the University of Hawaii, and county mayors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to form a working group to study how large data centers might affect the state's electric grid, utility rates, natural resources, and climate goals. The study will focus on facilities requiring at least five megawatts of electricity and will include representatives from government agencies, utilities, consumer advocates, and environmental groups. The working group will examine policy options to ensure data center developers pay for necessary grid upgrades and that Hawaii's clean energy objectives are not compromised.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution urges the U.S. Department of Defense to review and update its environmental assessments and closure decisions at military sites in Hawaii regarding PFAS contamination. The bill requests that the Department expand its investigations beyond areas historically linked to firefighting foam to include all potential sources of PFAS exposure, such as industrial operations, medical facilities, and waste disposal areas. It calls for more comprehensive testing of soil, water, and sediment using full analytical methods to ensure no hazardous substances are overlooked. The resolution also emphasizes that these reassessments should inform future state-military land lease negotiations by providing complete transparency on contamination status and remediation needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to work with state agencies, county governments, and community organizations to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The plan would assess barriers to food access across Hawaii's diverse communities and recommend policies to reduce food costs while expanding access to nutritious, culturally appropriate foods. The strategy must align with existing state laws and coordinate with local food security efforts, with findings and recommendations submitted to the Legislature by 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Health Agency to extend the renewal period for health care authorizations related to the Red Hill water contamination crisis and to improve health care access for affected individuals. It directly impacts military families, civilian residents, and Department of Defense personnel who experienced health issues from fuel contamination at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu. The resolution requests a two-year renewal cycle for Secretarial Designee authorizations to ensure continuity of care, expands access to civilian medical providers under TRICARE, and calls for coordinated referral practices between military and civilian health facilities. Additionally, it asks for the establishment of reimbursement or voucher programs to help affected individuals cover out-of-pocket medical costs, particularly for those living in areas without nearby military treatment facilities.