Sen. Lorraine Inouye

Maddy summarySB 2804 bars companies from acquiring or holding stocks or investments that reduce access to healthcare services or raise insurance premiums. It directly affects corporations and investment entities making such financial decisions. The key provision prohibits these specific stock holdings if they demonstrably harm healthcare affordability or availability. The bill aims to prevent corporate investment practices that negatively impact patients and insurance costs, without specifying enforcement details.

Establishes the Wildfire Mitigation Working Group. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to provide administrative support to the working group. Appropriates funds. Revises the appropriations made by Act 302, SLH 2025. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution from Hawaii urges the President and Congress to provide Ukraine with additional weapons to defend against Russian attacks and reclaim territory recognized under international law. The bill is a non-binding request that does not allocate funding or create legal obligations, as it is a symbolic expression of support rather than a legislative mandate. It calls on President Trump to negotiate Russian troop withdrawal and affirms solidarity with Ukraine's independence. The resolution cites the humanitarian and strategic impacts of the ongoing conflict to justify the request for enhanced military aid.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Health to coordinate the stockpiling of a three-year supply of mifepristone, a medication commonly used in medical abortions. The resolution is based on concerns about potential disruptions to the medication's supply chain and aims to ensure continued access to abortion care within the state. It directs the Department of Health to determine the appropriate quantities for this stockpile and requires sending a copy of the resolution to the state's health director. The measure does not mandate specific actions but serves as a formal recommendation to the health department regarding medication availability.

Requires the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to design a five-year Child Welfare System Diversion and Intervention Pilot Program to support families and children involved, at risk of involvement, or at risk of reinvolvement with Child Welfare Services. Specifies that the Department of Human Services shall implement and administer the pilot program. Allows the Department to contract with public and private entities to provide necessary services. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Future Career and Technical Education Teacher Scholarship Program to be administered by the Department of Education to facilitate the recruitment and retention of career and technical education teachers in Hawaii public schools. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice for places of public accommodation to deny a person with a disability full and equal enjoyment of, or information related to, their goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations using information and communication technology intended for use by the general public as applicants, participants, customers, clients, or visitors. Establishes exceptions. Clarifies that a facility is considered a place of public accommodation regardless of whether its presence in the State is physical or digital. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor of Hawaii to assess the social and financial impacts of mandating health insurance coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals aged 50 and older. The resolution is tied to House Bill 1702, which proposes requiring insurers to cover these assessments to help detect early signs of cognitive decline and dementia. The Auditor must prepare a report analyzing potential costs, benefits, and effects on different populations, particularly groups at higher risk such as Native Hawaiians and individuals with Down syndrome. The report must be submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the start of the 2027 legislative session.

Provides annual salary step increases for public schools and public charter school teachers who have completed one year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements, if negotiated into a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 89-9, HRS, and subject to funds appropriated by the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Specifies that operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while a highly intoxicated driver is a misdemeanor for a first offense, or any offense not preceded within a ten-year period. Specifies and imposes additional sentencing and probation requirements for a person convicted of a misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant offense. Upgrades the offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while a highly intoxicated driver to a class C felony under certain conditions. Specifies and imposes additional sentencing and probation requirements for a class C felony offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while a highly intoxicated driver. Prohibits a deferred acceptance of guilty plea for persons convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)