Rep. David Tarnas

Maddy summaryHB 147 increases the amount of real property value protected from being seized (attached or executed) when a homeowner owes money to creditors. This directly affects homeowners facing debt collection, particularly those with modest property values, by shielding more of their home equity. The key provision raises the exemption threshold, meaning creditors cannot claim as much of the home's value when collecting debts. This change aims to prevent the loss of primary residences due to financial hardship.

Requires the Department of Education's existing Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) working group to create a state plan to make completion of the FAFSA or an opt-out waiver a statewide graduation requirement by the 2027-2028 school year. Requires a report to the 2026 legislature.

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.

Allows the carrying or possessing of firearm parts only at or between certain locations and in an enclosed container. Defines firearm parts and prohibited persons. Establishes and increases penalties for the carrying or possessing of certain firearms or firearm parts other than at or between specific locations and in an enclosed container.

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)

Excludes a homeowner-developer from the annual requirement to file a developer's report and pay a fee if the homeowner's development consists of no more than two units, one in which the developer resides and one for which the initial sale of the other unit has been completed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)