Sen. Lorraine Inouye

Maddy summarySB 1654 authorizes state agencies to transfer specific parcels of land to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). This directly affects DHHL, which manages land for Native Hawaiian homesteaders. The bill's key provision is granting formal permission for these land transfers to occur under existing state authority. The change would expand DHHL's land holdings without requiring new funding or altering existing land management rules.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities. Requires the Department to adopt rules.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to develop an alternative pathway for a visiting international educator permit aligned to the duration of the educator's J-1 visa program. Repeals 6/30/2031.

Maddy summarySB 2025 allows actively practicing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to claim exemption from serving on jury duty. This bill directly affects APRNs who are currently working in their specialty roles. The key provision removes the requirement for these nurses to fulfill jury service obligations, instead permitting them to formally request exemption. The change aims to address workforce needs by reducing scheduling conflicts for nurses providing critical healthcare services.

Requires government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses for persons who require rescue after leaving a hiking trail to enter an area closed to the public or hiking on a trail closed to the public, and there is a sign giving notice of the closure.

Establishes a goal for the State to achieve a ranking among the top 10 states in the nation for business competitiveness by 2045. Defines and requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to select a "ranking metric" and establishes interim goals. Requires DBEDT to establish a working group to develop and recommend policies that improve Hawaii's business competitiveness. Requires annual reports to Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a Clean Vehicle Rebate Program to provide rebates for the purchase or lease of certain new and used zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Establishes the Clean Vehicle Special Fund. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a fare-free youth transit program, to be coordinated with the counties. Establishes a fare-free youth transit program special fund. Requires biannual evaluations of the new program and special fund. Allocates moneys from the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to the fare-free youth transit program special fund. Appropriates moneys into and out of the fare-free youth transit program special fund. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Requires the State, Legislature, and counties to amend rules and policies to ensure that certain employees can transfer accrued vacation and sick leaves if rehired by the State or a county within one calendar year of separation under certain conditions. Extends the allowable break in service for purposes of determining certain state and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund from ninety calendar days to 180 calendar dars under certain conditions. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Amends the fee exemption period for individuals possessing a disabled paid parking exemption permit from the first 2.5 hours or the maximum amount of time the meter allows, whichever is longer, to the first 4.5 hours.