Sen. Les Ihara

Maddy summarySB 2039 prohibits certain business entities from participating in election-related activities or campaign finance. It directly affects businesses that might otherwise contribute to or influence campaigns. The bill's key provision bans these entities from engaging in campaign finance activities, such as donating to political committees or spending on electioneering communications. This policy change aims to limit business influence in elections by restricting their financial involvement.

Requires the Attorney General to designate safe community places. Prohibits employees at safe community places from providing voluntary consent to federal law enforcement agents for operations that identify or seek to identify apprehend, arrest, or impose any other penalty for activities protected by the First Amendment or immigration enforcement.

Establishes a joint legislative Long-Term Care Financing Advisory Commission to examine the feasibility of different financing options for long-term care services and supports. Permits the Commission, through the Legislative Reference Bureau, to contract for services of a part-time project director and prepare proposals for contracts for consultants to support the work of the Commission. Requires the Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Requires an insurance producer to disclose a description of services to be provided, and compensation and commission to be received, before the procurement, placement, or renewal of any insurance policy purchased by a condominium association, and incorporates verification procedures into annual audit requirements. Requires at least two competitive quotes from insurance producers for any association insurance policy procurement, placement, or renewal with an annual premium greater than $250,000. Requires the board of directors to prepare and disclose to unit owners a one-page project summary for any capital improvement, repair, or maintenance project authorized with an estimated cost greater than $200,000.

Requires the Department of Health to provide public guidance on radiofrequency energy exposure and conduct statewide monitoring. Prohibits the trimming, removal, or alteration of trees or vegetation by counties around cellular towers or antennas solely to improve wireless signal reception or network performance, except as necessary for safety or protection of the equipment. Appropriates funds.

Exempts agricultural ponds and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure from regulations covering retention ponds. Defines agricultural ponds and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure.

Requires all managing agents of cooperative housing corporations, planned community associations, and condominiums to distribute information received regarding educational opportunities or seminars electronically to the board of directors of the cooperative housing corporation, planned community association, or condominium.

Maddy summarySB 2296 expands the legal definition of "condominium association" under Hawaii law to explicitly include associations organized under HRS Chapter 421J. This change directly affects homeowners' associations (HOAs) operating under Chapter 421J, bringing them under the same regulatory framework as traditional condominium associations. The bill’s key mechanism is amending the definition to ensure these specific HOAs are subject to the same legal rules and oversight. It does not create new requirements but clarifies which associations fall under existing condominium association statutes. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and referred to committee.

Clarifies that a community association manager is an individual who is the managing agent responsible for the contracted management and oversight of a cooperative housing corporation, condominium association, or homeowners association. Amends the definition of "managing agent" to include a community association manager.

Creates exemptions from interconnection requirements for portable solar generation devices. Establishes basic safety requirements for portable solar generation devices. Provides liability protections for electric utilities.