Establishes the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District. Provides for the transfer of land and leases within the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Hawaii Community Development Authority.
Maddy summarySB 837 authorizes school districts and transportation providers to use motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for student transportation, provided specific safety conditions are met. This bill directly affects school districts, bus operators, and students by expanding the types of vehicles permitted for school trips. Key provisions require that any vehicle used must comply with established safety standards, though the abstract does not detail the specific conditions. The bill aims to increase flexibility in student transportation options while maintaining safety requirements.
Maddy summarySB 1082 designates the 'ōpae 'ula (a small red shrimp) as Hawaii's official state shrimp. This symbolic bill directly affects Hawaii's state identity and aims to raise awareness for protecting anchialine pools (unique coastal ecosystems) where the shrimp lives. It does not create new regulations or funding but uses the state symbol to highlight conservation efforts for these fragile habitats.
Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to identify sites throughout the State that are suitable for the development of slaughterhouses. Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to plan, design, construct, and operate certain animal slaughterhouses throughout the State. Makes appropriations.
Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to establish a permanent Return-to-Home program to return homeless individuals in the State to families and relatives in their home states. Requires the Office to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
Maddy summarySB 569 funds an additional ambulance for the island of Hawaii, specifically based in Makalei, to support local emergency medical services. The bill provides operational funding for this new ambulance, directly affecting residents on the island who rely on emergency response in that area. It does not change existing health policies but allocates state resources to expand ambulance coverage on Hawaii Island. This is a straightforward funding measure, not a policy change.
Maddy summarySB 570 prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from setting or enforcing daily hunting limits for goats in public hunting areas. This bill directly affects hunters and wildlife management practices by preventing the department from imposing restrictions on goat hunting. The key provision blocks the department from creating new rules about how many goats can be hunted per day in public lands. It does not create new hunting opportunities or change existing regulations, only prevents future rulemaking on goat bag limits. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 2 sentences as required.)
Establishes the Hawaii start-up business loan program. Establishes the Hawaii start-up business loan program special fund. Requires DBEDT to submit an annual report to the Legislature regarding the program. Appropriates funds.
Maddy summarySB 16 exempts researchers conducting aquaculture research from needing an aquarium fish permit. The bill defines "aquaculture research" as studies involving the controlled breeding or raising of fish in enclosed environments. This change directly affects scientists and institutions performing such research, removing a permit requirement they previously faced. The bill is currently pending introduction in the legislature.
Clarifies that the Board of Land and Natural Resources' authority shall supersede the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority for all lands designated under the state conservation district; provided that the Board of Land and Natural Resources upholds its affirmative and non-transferable duty to protect the traditional and customary rights of native Hawaiians as articulated in the Hawaii State Constitution. Clarifies that the natural resource management enforcement and emergency response over Mauna Kea lands shall remain the responsibility of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Takes effect 7/1/2026.
