Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa

Authorizes physicians to practice at organized ambulatory health care facilities even if the physician does not have hospital privileges at a licensed hospital in the same geographic location as the ambulatory facility. Provides that a written transfer agreement is not required to transfer a patient from an organized ambulatory health care facility to a licensed hospital.

Adds the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, or the Chairperson's designee, to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Adds the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the Chairperson's designee to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Clarifies that only the five, non-ex-officio members appointed by the Governor are required to have substantial experience in water resource management.

Clarifies that a person who uses deadly force in self-defense does not have a duty to retreat if they are in their dwelling or on their property unless they are the initial aggressor. Repeals statutory language that permits a person to use deadly force at their place of work.

Appropriates funds to establish a permanent Educational Support Associate position within the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources' Kona Cooperative Extension.

Maddy summaryHB 645 allocates state funds to the Department of Human Services to provide emergency shelter and support services specifically for unaccompanied homeless youth. The bill directs the agency to use these appropriations for immediate housing and assistance needs, such as temporary lodging and case management. It directly affects homeless youth without family support who lack stable housing. The legislation is currently pending committee review after its introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 95 is a short-form legislative bill focused on agriculture, but the provided context lacks specific policy details or provisions. The bill was prefilled on January 13, 2025, introduced on January 16, and referred to the Agriculture committee on January 21. No concrete mechanisms, affected groups, or substantive changes are described in the available abstract or summary. Without further details on its content, a meaningful policy summary cannot be provided.

Maddy summaryHB 178 appropriates state funds to establish a new position for a state tea agent at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). This bill directly affects UH Manoa's CTAHR program by funding a dedicated specialist focused on tea agriculture. The key mechanism is a budget allocation to create this role, supporting research and outreach related to tea cultivation in Hawaii. The bill is procedural, focusing on funding a specific staff position rather than changing laws.

For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, requires the Department of Human Services to: (1) prorate or exclude certain income from household members who are ineligible for the Program; (2) establish a standardized medical expense deduction option for elderly or disabled household members; (3) establish a pre-release Program application form for individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled for release; and (4) report to the Legislature. Specifies that, for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the federal restriction of providing Program benefits to certain individuals does not apply in Hawaii.

Establishes a Desalination Planning Task Force to examine the feasibility of, and develop a plan and timeline for, the use desalination as a source of potable water in the State.