Rep. Nicole Lowen

Requires the Department of Education to authorize and facilitate complex areas or individual public schools to form their own farm to school meal programs through partnerships to meet the local farm to school meal goal of thirty per cent of food served in the school to consist of locally sourced products by 2030. Allows the Department of Education to establish a plant-based meal program no later than the 2026-2027 school year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes additional regulations for the registration and use of electric bicycles. Amends the definition of electric bicycles subject to various state laws and classifies electric bicycles by top assisted speed. Defines "electric micro mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro mobility devices. Prohibits anyone under fifteen from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Increasing the age for those required to wear a helmet when operating a bicycle. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Amends the definition of "historic property" under the State's historic preservation program to include properties included on, or eligible for inclusion on, the national register of historic places or Hawaii register of historic places and any artifacts, records, or material remains relating to the property. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Exempts the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs from the general excise tax. Incrementally increases the general excise tax over four years, with the increased proceeds during certain fiscal years to be deposited into the general fund. Removes the state income tax on unemployment compensation benefits. Doubles the standard deduction for individuals earning less than $100,000 and joint returns earning less than $200,000. Repeals the incremental increases on standard income tax deduction amounts. Increases the minimum income threshold and exemption amount for the low-income household renters' income tax credit. Removes the tax liability for the first $100,000 of individual income earned. Establishes the Maui Recovery Special Fund to be used for recovery programs related to the 2023 Maui wildfires. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Maddy summaryHB 347 prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from setting or enforcing hunting limits (such as how many goats a person can hunt per season) in public hunting areas. It directly affects hunters and wildlife management in public lands by preventing the department from regulating goat hunting through bag limits. The bill does not create new hunting rules but blocks the department from implementing such restrictions. As of now, it remains pending in committee review and has not become law.

Redefines "historic property" with respect to the State Historic Preservation Program. Deletes the requirement for an application for a proposed project on an existing privately-owned single-family detached dwelling unit to have a historic preservation review if the unit or townhouse is over fifty years old.

Establishes the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate all aspects of the cannabis plant. Beginning 1/1/2026, legalizes the personal adult use of cannabis. Establishes taxes on the retail sale of adult-use cannabis and the sale of medical cannabis. Adds new traffic offenses relating to the consumption or possession of marijuana or marijuana concentrate. Makes conforming amendments related to the legalization of personal adult use of cannabis. Beginning 1/1/2026, decriminalizes certain drug offenses related to marijuana and marijuana concentrate. Transfers the personnel and assets of the Department of Health and assets of the Department of Agriculture relating to cannabis to the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office. Establishes various positions within state entities to regulate the personal adult use of cannabis. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes an installation goal for customer-sited distributed energy resources in the State. Ensures that fair compensation is provided to distributed energy resources exports as part of grid service programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 940 allocates funding for the rat lungworm research lab at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. This bill directly affects the university's research operations by providing dedicated financial support for the lab's work on rat lungworm disease. The key provision is a specific appropriation of state funds to sustain the lab's activities. As a procedural funding bill, it does not establish new policies or regulations but ensures resources for existing research. The bill is currently pending in the House Education Committee for review.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)