Establishes a working group within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to conduct a study concerning the creation of a Wildfire Recovery Fund. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
Creates a School Psychologists Working Group within the Department of Education to recommend actionable steps or propose legislation for an immediate pathway to licensure for school psychologists that can be acted upon in 2026. Requires a report to the Legislature. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Appropriates funds for the Native Resources and Fire Protection Program and Hawaii Invasive Species Council to ensure their long-term viability and continue to control and eradicate invasive species in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
Maddy summaryThis bill requests a study to determine if Hawaii can establish an Environmental Protection Agency-certified laboratory for testing drinking water. It directly affects Hawaii residents by addressing the current need to send water samples to California for testing, which causes delays (about one week) and risks sample spoilage during transport. The study will examine the feasibility of creating such a lab or upgrading Hawaii's existing Department of Health lab to meet EPA standards, including costs, operations, and potential hosts. The resolution requires the study to report findings to the legislature by early 2026, with no immediate policy changes proposed.
Maddy summaryHCR 189 is a resolution urging Hawaii’s Department of Health and University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to incentivize wastewater treatment plants to test sewage sludge, reclaimed water, and other residuals for PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as "forever chemicals" that persist in the environment. It does not create new laws but calls for testing to prevent PFAS from entering food chains through agricultural use of contaminated materials, which can cause health risks like cancer and reproductive issues. The resolution specifically targets wastewater plants that supply materials for farming or irrigation, emphasizing testing as a step to protect public health and ecosystems. This is a non-binding request, not a regulatory mandate, focused on encouraging proactive testing and management.
Maddy summaryHCR 18 requests a study to determine if Hawaii can establish an EPA-certified laboratory for testing drinking water locally. Currently, Hawaii lacks such a facility, requiring samples to be sent to California for testing, which causes delays (up to a week), risks sample spoilage during transport, and creates vulnerabilities during emergencies like the 2021 Red Hill water crisis. The study would examine costs for creating a new lab or upgrading the existing Department of Health lab in Pearl City, including initial setup, annual operations, organizational structures, and potential hosting entities. It aims to assess whether local testing could improve response times for contaminants like petroleum hydrocarbons and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), with findings due to the Legislature by early 2026.
Maddy summaryHR 183 is a non-binding House Resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Health and the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to incentivize wastewater treatment plants to test sewage sludge, reclaimed water, and other residuals for PFAS (forever chemicals). It does not create new laws but calls for testing to prevent PFAS contamination in agricultural use and drinking water sources. The resolution specifically requests administrative rules for safe disposal of PFAS-containing materials and restrictions on land application where PFAS is detected. This affects wastewater facilities, farms using reclaimed water, and public health by addressing PFAS exposure risks linked to food chains and environmental contamination.
Maddy summaryHB 213 appropriates state funds to support the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program, which helps healthcare professionals repay educational loans. The program directly assists licensed healthcare workers, such as nurses and physicians, who serve in underserved areas or specific healthcare roles. The bill specifies funding allocation with an effective date of July 1, 3000, though this date appears to be a placeholder error. No additional details about eligibility, funding amounts, or program administration are provided in the available context.
Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to support services contracted with community-based organizations that deliver essential services, streamline judicial processes, and support the judiciary's capacity to effectively meet the needs of vulnerable households. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)
Establishes statewide, uniform standards to promote agricultural tourism activities in the State for all counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance. Requires agricultural tourism activities to be registered by the county planning department. Requires agricultural tourism activities to coexist with an agricultural activity on a farming operation and requires termination of the agricultural tourism activities upon cessation of the agricultural activity, except under certain circumstances. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
