Sen. Karl Rhoads

Allows persons entitled to park in disabled parking spaces to report vehicles illegally parked in disabled parking spaces to the Department of Law Enforcement. Upon receipt of a legitimate report, requires the Department to send a notice to the offender informing them of the report and advising them of the law and penalties for illegally parking in a handicapped space.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires persons that provide single-use compostable plastic packaging or utensils for any food or beverages sold in the State to have on-site composting collection bins and ensure the collection and delivery of disposed single-use compostable plastic packaging or utensils to certain commercial composting facilities under certain circumstances. Requires the Department of Health to report to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2026 through 2035.

Expands the State's temporary disability insurance coverage to, and exempts from TDI benefit eligibility requirements that are employment-related, employees who are unable to perform their employment duties due to the employee's childbirth or provision of kangaroo care to, or expression of breast milk for, the employee's child who is required to stay in a neonatal intensive care unit. Extends under certain conditions the temporary disability benefit payment period and family leave period for employees who are unable to perform their employment duties due to a preterm birth of a child who is required to stay in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or birth of a child who is required to stay in a NICU for more than eight weeks. Defines "kangaroo care" and "preterm birth". Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules to include neonatal care as related condition where the phrase "pregnancy, childbirth, or other related condition" is used.

Establishes fees that medical providers may charge for requests for a patient's medical records from the patient's family member, caregiver, or representative. Requires medical providers to respond to requests in a timely manner. Establishes penalties.

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.

Maddy summarySB 403 limits public funding for beach replenishment projects in areas zoned for resorts to 20% of the total project cost. This directly affects property owners and developers in resort-zoned coastal areas, requiring them to cover at least 80% of replenishment expenses. The key provision sets a strict cap on government financial support for restoring sand on beaches within designated resort zones. The bill does not change existing regulations for non-resort areas or other beach management practices.

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.

Requires state agencies to establish a Plant-Based-By-Default Program for food and drinks offered at state-operated prisons, state-licensed hospitals, and government-sponsored events. Requires the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Comptroller, and Director of Health to submit annual reports to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Effective 7/1/2026.

Maddy summarySB 408 would allocate state funds to the Department of Education to raise per-pupil spending to $18,000 annually for public schools. This directly affects all K-12 public school districts and students in the state by increasing available funding per student. The key provision is the specific appropriation target of $18,000 per student, which would require the Department to distribute these funds to school districts. The bill does not alter existing education policies or programs, only establishing a new funding level.

Defines "residential zone" for purposes of leaf blower restrictions to include residential districts, apartment districts, and business mixed use districts.