Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa

Authorizes a state department, division, or agency, rather than the Department of Human Resources Development, to conduct a minimum qualification review of applicants for vacant positions within the department, division, or agency. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to provide state departments, divisions, and agencies the applications received for vacancies under certain circumstances. (CD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill allows farmers and land managers to use fine-meshed nets to protect plants from invasive species under specific conditions. The measure aims to provide a practical tool for controlling non-native plants that threaten local agriculture and ecosystems. By permitting this method, the legislation seeks to support plant protection efforts while addressing the spread of invasive species.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for Kaiapuni programs and the establishment of three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) Kaiapuni education curriculum specialist II positions and ten full-time equivalent (10.0 FTE) Kaiapuni classroom teacher positions. (CD1)

Maddy summaryHB 2626 outlines specific findings that the Board of Land and Natural Resources must make before leasing a government-owned Hawaiian fishpond. This requirement ensures that the board evaluates particular criteria, such as the fishpond's condition and intended use, prior to granting a lease agreement. The bill directly impacts the state agency responsible for managing these cultural and natural resources and the parties seeking to lease them. By establishing these mandatory findings, the legislation aims to add a layer of review to the leasing process for these significant sites.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Department of Education to support health care workforce development programs, specifically the public high school health care workforce certificate program and glidepath program for certified nurse aides. Appropriates funds to renovate and equip certain public high school classrooms to be used for health care training. (CD1)

Beginning 7/1/2026, establishes provisional or associate-level licensure requirements for marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and psychologists and authorizes insurance reimbursements in certain circumstances; authorizes psychologist license applicants who possess a provisional license to sit for the licensing examination before completing certain supervised experience requirements; and authorizes insurance reimbursements for services provided by a supervised social work intern in certain circumstances. Appropriates funds out of the Compliance Resolution Fund. (CD1)

Authorizes pharmacists to administer vaccines to persons three years of age or older. Authorizes pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians under the direct supervision of a pharmacist to administer vaccinations to persons three years of age or older, if certain requirements are met. Authorizes pharmacists to order vaccines for administration to persons three years of age or older. Effective 1/1/2025. (CD1)

Allows registered pharmacists during declared states of emergency to refill prescriptions for persons directly impacted by the emergency for up to a thirty-day supply if the practitioner is unavailable or cannot be contacted to authorize the refill and if, in the pharmacist's professional judgment, failure to refill the prescription might interrupt the patient's ongoing care and have a significant adverse effect on the patient's well-being. (CD1)

Requires the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation to submit a report analyzing the feasibility of continuing to fund the operations of the housing loan and mortgage program. (CD1)

Beginning 1/1/2025, allows residential uses in areas zoned for commercial use to be considered permitted under certain circumstances. Requires, no later than 1/1/2025, each county to adopt or amend its ordinances to allow for adaptive reuse of existing commercial buildings in the county's building codes. (CD1)