Sen. Carol Fukunaga

Expands the powers of the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and reactivates the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to help stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Establishes the Condominium Loan Program and the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund, to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority on behalf of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, for the purpose of providing financing for essential repairs and deferred maintenance to condominium associations. Abolishes the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund on 6/30/2047. Establishes the Condominium Loan Loss Reserves Program to incentivize lenders to provide loans at competitive rates and terms to allow condominium associations to make necessary maintenance and repairs. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study to develop long-term solutions to help stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Authorizes the issuance of reimbursable general obligation bonds to facilitate the initial issuance of policies to condominium associations. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Beginning 7/1/2026, restricts the use of restrictive housing in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with certain specified exceptions. Establishes a restrictive housing legislative working group to develop and recommend more comprehensive laws, policies, and procedures regarding restrictive housing for members of vulnerable populations by 1/8/2027. Requires the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to review restrictive housing placements on an annual basis. Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, by 12/1/2027, to implement policies and procedures recommended by the restrictive housing working group related to committed persons. Requires interim and final reports to the Legislature and Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. (CD1)

Requires the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to collect data and submit to the Legislature a report focused on the health disparities experienced by individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the State prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Requires mandatory written reports of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Human Services to include the military status of the child's parent or other persons responsible for the child's care, if known. Requires the Department of Human Services to inform the appropriate authority for the branch of the United States military when, upon receiving a report of child abuse or neglect, there is sufficient information to determine that the report involves a family where one of the parents, guardians, or alleged perpetrators is a member of an identifiable branch of the United States military. (CD1)

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to assist inmates with obtaining civil identification cards and other identification documents within a certain time. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 292 creates legal protection for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical care or contact law enforcement. It shields them from being prosecuted for minor offenses like drug possession or prostitution that occurred during their exploitation. This applies specifically when survivors access services through official channels to report or receive care. The bill is currently under committee review, with a public hearing scheduled for February 6, 2025.

Increases the minimum amount for purchases constituting small purchase procurements that are subject to an electronic system, from $25,000 to $50,000. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Appropriates funds for the continued implementation of the Food Hub Pilot Program, including the awarding of grant moneys to qualifying food hubs. (CD1)

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed and establishment of two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan. (CD1)

Maddy summarySB 330 authorizes the state Department of Agriculture to enforce federal quarantine orders related to invasive species. This would directly affect businesses or individuals handling plants, animals, or goods that could spread harmful invasive species, such as agricultural shipments or pet trade imports. The bill provides the state agency with the authority to implement existing federal quarantine requirements, without creating new quarantine rules. It focuses on ensuring compliance with federal standards to prevent the introduction or spread of invasive species through regulated pathways.