Sen. Sharon Moriwaki

Prohibits the sale of flavored nicotine products and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine free. Establishes penalties for violations. Authorizes the Department of Health to appoint, commission, or contract for services of inspectors. Establishes two full-time equivalent program specialist positions and one full-time equivalent hearing officer position. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2026.

Grants the Public Utilities Commission the ability to authorize preferential rates for the purchase of renewable energy from facilities that meet certain prevailing wage requirements. Requires public utilities to forward certain requests for preferential rates to the PUC for approval. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 1138 requires health plan insurers to use the same prior authorization approval rules for medical treatments as Medicare does. This directly affects health insurance companies that offer plans covering prescription drugs, hospital care, or specialist visits. The key mechanism is mandating that insurers align their internal processes with Medicare’s established standards for approving treatments. The bill aims to simplify and standardize approval requirements for patients seeking covered care, though it does not change Medicare’s own policies.

Repeals the Land Court. Requires registered owners of an interest in property registered in land court to deregister their interest. Requires the land court to inform registered owners of the requirement to deregister. Appropriates moneys.

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 594 removes the requirement that perpetrators of certain crimes must know or reasonably should know their victim is 60 years or older. This means prosecutors no longer need to prove the offender was aware of the victim's age in cases involving seniors. The bill directly affects how crimes against seniors are prosecuted and adjudicated in court. It changes the legal standard for accountability, focusing on the victim's age rather than the perpetrator's knowledge.

Extends the State's energy-efficiency portfolio standards from 2030 to 2045. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to establish interim goals and clarifies procedures.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a study to identify the most cost-effective investments for clean energy alternatives to combustible fuels. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Amends the definition of "historic property" under the State's historic preservation program to include only property that predates Statehood Day and, with respect to buildings and structures, is registered on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places.

Requires the driver's license examination to test the applicant's knowledge of the dangers that larger motor vehicles present to pedestrians and bicyclists. Requires persons who commit the offense of excessively speeding or habitually driving while intoxicated to retake and pass the driver's license examination for each offense.