Sen. Carol Fukunaga

Proposes to amend article XVII, section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution regarding the standard for ratification of a constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature, to require that a majority of all the votes tallied upon the question be a "yes" vote, and not include blank, spoiled, and over votes in determining whether a majority was reached. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires insurers to provide automatic, advance written premium change notices to common interest community policyholders and the Insurance Commissioner, with reasonable explanations and primary factors, disclosing the causes of any premium increase if, upon renewal, premiums are scheduled to increase more than an unspecified per cent. Requires insurers to automatically issue a loss run report to the policyholder at the end of each policy year. Requires insurers that renewed property insurance policies between 2022 and 2024 for policyholders that were condominium associations, planned community associations, or cooperative housing corporations in the State to provide an explanation for certain premium increases during this period. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Offers rights and protections to citizens who bring civil nuisance abatement suits related to illegal gambling. Imposes a mandatory fine of $5,000 for violating nuisance abatement laws related to gambling offenses.

Establishes a licensing scheme for licensed certified midwives and licensed certified professional midwives, to be overseen by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Reestablishes the home birth task force to provide recommendations on issues related to home births. Dissolves the task force on 6/30/2026. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Maddy summarySB 451 would require the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program, enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing Medicaid benefits when they earn income. This program would allow individuals to pay a portion of the cost to stay enrolled in Medicaid while working, rather than losing coverage as earnings increase. The bill is scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2050, but remains under review by the Health and Human Services committee. It directly affects working adults with disabilities who currently face coverage gaps when earning above Medicaid income limits.

Establishes a paid family leave program for state and county employees. Authorizes a qualifying employee to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or placement of a child or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition. Requires the employee to agree to subsequently work for the employer for at least 12 weeks upon return to service except under certain conditions.

Clarifies that the importation of any pest or material infested or infected with an insect or other animal, disease, or pest is prohibited. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administratively inspect any article imported or moved into the State from the continental United States or between the Hawaiian Islands. Prohibits the sale, barter, or donation of items or material that is a pest, is infested or infected with a pest, or prohibited from being sold. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to compel the quarantine, treatment, or destruction of certain materials. Clarifies penalties for various quarantine and import law violations, based in part on whether violations were knowingly committed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summarySB 1648 requires utilities to provide compensation to customers following power outages. It directly affects residential and commercial utility customers who experience service interruptions. The bill establishes specific requirements for how and when utilities must pay compensation, though details on calculation methods aren't provided in the abstract. This policy change would create a new obligation for utilities to reimburse affected customers, effective July 1, 2050.

Expands the time period within which a county legislative body must approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove housing projects the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation develops or assists under a government assistance program from forty-five days to ninety days.

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a statewide needs assessment to determine what will be needed to reduce waste generation, increase reuse, improve recycling collection services, and expand local processing of materials through an extended producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products. Requires the Department of Health to complete and submit the needs assessment to the Legislature no later than 12/31/2028. Establishes an advisory council to review the draft needs assessment and propose recommendations throughout the assessment process. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)