Rep. David Tarnas

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 15) requests collaboration between Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Education, and State Public Charter School Commission to create a student-led coral stewardship program. The program would educate students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding harmful chemicals like oxybenzone) and promote coral reef protection at state beaches. It requires the departments to develop the program and submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027, including student input and recommendations for future action. The initiative directly affects public charter schools and students, focusing on voluntary education rather than enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 2114 creates the Hawaii Benefits Hub within the state's Office of Enterprise Technology Services to centralize access to human services. It requires the Chief Information Officer to develop and implement a single statewide portal for residents to apply for government benefits, replacing current fragmented systems. The bill appropriates funding for this portal's development and operation, effective July 1, 2030. This directly affects Hawaii residents seeking services like food assistance, healthcare, or housing support by simplifying their application process.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires the Office of Consumer Protection to publish an accessible, multilingual notice of tenant rights online. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Clarifies that the five‑year statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of campaign finance violations begins upon discovery of the offense by the Campaign Spending Commission. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Restructures the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system for the sale of properties with residential use, adjusts the tax for multifamily properties to reflect value on a per-unit basis, and applies a cost-of-living adjustment to conveyance tax rates. Allocates revenues from conveyance tax collections. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax collections to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to fund infrastructure programs in areas that meet minimum standards of transit-supportive density. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax revenues to the Hawaii Agricultural Development Revolving Fund, Special Land and Development Fund, and Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Establishes and appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Authorizes the Hawaii Agricultural Development Revolving Fund to be used to acquire land. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to form a working group to address findings from an auditor's report on the state's farm-to-school and local food procurement programs. The working group will consist of up to seventeen members representing educators, farmers, distributors, nutrition professionals, and legislators to review challenges in meeting the goal of sourcing at least 10% of school meals from local producers. Key tasks include improving data collection on locally sourced food, streamlining procurement processes to better identify local products, and strengthening coordination between the education and agriculture sectors. The group must submit a report to the legislature by the end of 2026 with recommendations for policy changes or new legislation to support local food initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to form a working group to address findings from an auditor's report on the state's farm-to-school and local food procurement initiatives. The working group will include representatives from education, agriculture, food distribution, schools, and community organizations to review challenges identified in the audit, such as lack of strategic planning and coordination issues. The group will develop strategies to improve data collection, streamline local food procurement processes, and strengthen partnerships between schools and local farmers. The Department of Education is asked to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution expresses support for the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition's Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan, which aims to address the state's high drowning rates through a comprehensive strategy. The plan recommends establishing the coalition as a central authority for water safety, expanding funding for drowning prevention efforts, and requiring safety measures like warning signs and fencing at pools and flood control structures. It also calls for free swimming lessons for all children, improved public pool access in underserved communities, and compliance with national pool safety standards. While the resolution itself does not create new laws, it urges state agencies and local governments to collaborate with the coalition to implement these recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution expresses legislative support for the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition's Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan, which aims to address the state's high drowning rates and related public health concerns. The resolution urges state agencies and local governments to collaborate on implementing the plan's recommendations, which include establishing the coalition as a central water safety authority, expanding funding for drowning prevention programs, and improving safety measures at pools and flood control structures. The plan also calls for free swim lessons for all children, culturally competent water safety education, and better infrastructure in underserved communities. While the resolution itself does not create new laws, it encourages agencies to work together to adopt the plan's evidence-based strategies for preventing drowning incidents.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the County of Hawaiʻi to expand its Hele-On Shared Ride Program to cover the entire island, including currently underserved rural areas like West Hawaiʻi, North Kohala, South Kohala, Kaʻū, and Puna. The bill asks the county to prioritize accessibility for people with disabilities and those who rely on mobility devices, while encouraging partnerships with local transportation providers to increase service availability. It also directs the county to consider phased implementation or pilot programs to manage costs and ensure the expansion can be funded effectively. This measure aims to improve transportation access for residents who cannot drive, particularly for medical appointments and essential services, without mandating immediate funding changes.