Rep. Justin Woodson

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to issue supplemental contracts to community-based organizations to address increases in costs related to labor, insurance, utilities, rent, and gas. For any multi-year contracts entered into or renewed beginning in fiscal year 2027-2028, requires the Department of Human Services to issue a Request for Information to determine whether any existing contract remains fiscally sound and thereafter determine, with the consent of the contractor, whether a new request for proposals should be issued. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Appropriates funds for the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity specialist and marketing and branding specialist positions. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Statutorily establishes the Agricultural Statistics Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes an Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force to develop guidelines and recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence in state public education. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

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 2027. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 2534 would appropriate state funds to the Department of Education to establish robotics as an official interscholastic sport for public high schools. If passed, it would allow schools to form competitive robotics teams under state guidelines, with the Department developing program rules by July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects public high school students and athletic programs by creating a new competitive category. It is currently pending in the Education Committee after passing committee recommendations with amendments.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally congratulates five individuals in Hawaii for receiving educational awards. It recognizes Gavin Tsue as the 2025 Hawaii National Distinguished Principal, Baba Yim as the 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Awardee, J. Elise Hannigan as the 2026 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, and Anna Nguyen as a 2026 United States Senate Youth Program Delegate. The resolution highlights each person's specific achievements and contributions to education, including school performance improvements, Hawaiian language revitalization, student support programs, and youth policy engagement. The document serves as an official acknowledgment of these individuals' accomplishments in their respective educational roles.

Maddy summaryHB 2164 defines "compounded prescription drugs" specifically for workers' compensation claims. This bill directly affects injured workers seeking medical coverage and insurers processing those claims. It establishes a clear legal definition to determine which custom-mixed medications qualify for coverage under workers' compensation law. This clarification aims to reduce disputes over medication eligibility in injury claims. The bill does not change existing coverage rules but provides a precise standard for applying them.

Establishes a business competitiveness goal for the State to be nationally ranked in the top thirty states for business climate by 2050, with interim goals. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit annual progress reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Includes certain law enforcement administrators and employees of the Department of Law Enforcement as class A members of the pension and retirement systems and provides guidance for the computation of retirement benefits similar to police officers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)