Establishes that a person's conduct that produces, or causes to be produced, noise exceeding a certain decibel level during nighttime hours in any area zoned as residential or mixed-use residential is an unreasonable noise that constitutes the offense of disorderly conduct. Appropriates funds.
Amends the definition of electric bicycles subject to various state laws and classifies electric bicycles by top assisted speed. Establishes additional regulations for the registration and use of electric bicycles. Increases the minimum age to operate an electric bicycle.
Maddy summarySB 362 clarifies that Hawaii’s existing Money Transmitters Modernization Act (Chapter 489D, HRS) applies to digital currency companies and their activities. It directly affects businesses operating digital currency exchanges, wallets, or payment services by requiring them to comply with the same regulatory framework as traditional money transmitters. The bill’s key mechanism is extending current licensing, reporting, and consumer protection rules to cover digital currency operations without creating new requirements. This ensures digital currency providers operate under the same oversight as other money service businesses in Hawaii.
Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale or offer for sale of gasoline-powered leaf blowers. Repeals the exemption on leaf blower restrictions for government agencies.
Raises the minimum age to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Repeals the authority of parents and the family court to consent to a minor's marriage. Repeals spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Makes conforming amendments.
Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to exercise its power of eminent domain to acquire certain parcels. Appropriates funds for the acquisition of those parcels.
Expands the general excise tax exemption established by Act 47, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, to include amounts received by optometrists, audiologists, and chiropractors, for healthcare-related goods or services purchased under the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs.
Requires the Department of Health to construct, establish, and operate an environmental toxins testing laboratory to test samples submitted by the public for diseases; water, air, and soil quality; and complex testing. Requires a report to the Legislature. Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds. Appropriates funds.
Appropriates funds to support educational training programs to expand the State's health care workforce. Allocates funds to the Department of Education for health care certificate programs and classroom renovations for health care training in public high schools. Allocates funds to the University of Hawaii for education programs that support certified nurse assistants in becoming licensed practical nurses.
Maddy summarySB 349 would change how capital gains income is taxed by applying the same tax rate as ordinary income (such as wages) instead of the current preferential rate. This policy directly affects individuals and investors who earn capital gains income, such as from selling stocks or property. The bill’s key mechanism is eliminating the separate, lower tax rate currently applied to capital gains, aligning it with standard income tax rates. This represents a substantive change to the state’s tax code for investment income.
