Rep. Lisa Marten

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a statewide needs assessment to determine what will be needed to reduce waste generation, increase reuse, improve recycling collection services, and expand local processing of materials through an extended producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products. Establishes an advisory council to review the draft needs assessment and propose recommendations throughout the assessment process. Requires the Department of Health to hold a public hearing on the draft needs assessment and complete and submit the needs assessment to the Legislature by 12/31/2027. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Appropriates funds to support the efforts of the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources in the removal of the majano anemone from Kaneohe Bay. (CD1)

Beginning 1/1/2026, increases the cigarette tax from 16 cents to 18 cents and amends the disposition of cigarette tax revenues by allocating the increase in the cigarette tax amount to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a portion to be used exclusively for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Effective 12/31/2025. (CD1)

Clarifies that Act 130, SLH 2024, which amended the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, takes effect on the earlier of the date of the Secretary of the Interior's notification letter that Act 130 does not require congressional approval, or on the date that the United States Congress approval becomes law. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 345 proposes to establish the ‘ōpae ‘ula as the official state shrimp of Hawaii. This designation aims to support the protection of anchialine pool ecosystems throughout the islands, which are the natural habitat for the ‘ōpae ‘ula.

Allows a patient who has been seen in person by a health care provider who is in the same medical group as the prescribing provider authorized pursuant to section 329-33, HRS, to be prescribed an opiate prescription for a three-day supply or less via telehealth. (SD1)

Increases the domiciliary care rates for certain providers and clarifies that the needs allowance and domiciliary care rates are included in the state supplemental payment ceiling amounts. Effective 10/1/2025. (CD1)

Makes laws regulating midwives and the practice of midwifery permanent. Clarifies the scope of practice of midwifery. Establishes licensure requirements for certified midwives and certified professional midwives. Establishes continuing education requirements. Grants global signature authority to midwives. Grants prescriptive authority to licensed midwives practicing as certified midwives and amends the list of approved legend drugs that may be administered by midwives. Establishes peer review and data submission requirements. Affirms that the practice of midwifery does not include Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices. Clarifies exemptions from licensure and grounds for refusal to grant, renew, reinstate, or restore licenses or for revocation, suspension, denial, or condition of a license. Clarifies medical record availability and retention requirements for the purposes of medical torts. (SD3)

Maddy summaryHCR 171 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii Auditor to assess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). This study is required by state law (HRS § 23-51) before the legislature can consider House Bill 820, which proposes to require insurers to cover CGMs for diabetes management. The Auditor must submit a report by December 2025 detailing potential impacts on patients (including those in rural areas with diabetes), insurers, and state costs. This resolution does not change current coverage but provides data to inform future legislative decisions on CGM mandates.

Maddy summaryHCR 27 is a Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution requesting the state's congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address unequal export rules for agricultural products. It specifically highlights that Hawaii faces restrictions similar to U.S. territories, requiring USDA approval for most fruit, vegetable, and flower exports to the mainland - unlike other states. The resolution notes Hawaii's export petitions often wait years behind foreign countries' requests, causing significant delays for local growers. This bill does not change regulations but formally asks federal lawmakers to advocate for Hawaii's agricultural sector to achieve parity with other states.