Sen. Karl Rhoads

Clarifies and strengthens the State's protections against sex-based harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation that occur in public schools, public charter schools, or at the University of Hawaii, including discrimination based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions. Establishes procedures for investigations and decision-making. Requires mandatory reporting by certain employees. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to conduct a comprehensive legal review. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Appropriates funds for the planning, designing, environmental studies, site evaluation and selection studies, and permitting conducted relative to a new facility for the State Archives. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires all state building construction begun on or after 7/1/2028 to provide at least one universal changing accommodation in each public restroom designated as a family or assisted-use restroom, unless technically infeasible. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to establish a Community Action Center in Chinatown. Expenditure contingent upon the City and County of Honolulu providing matching funds. Appropriation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Amends forfeiture laws to require the owner of property seized in relation to a crime to be convicted of the covered offense before the property may be forfeited.

Maddy summarySB 2451 eliminates the home mortgage interest deduction for second homes under Hawaii's income tax law. This change directly affects Hawaii taxpayers who own second homes and currently claim this tax break on their mortgage interest. The bill removes this specific deduction from the state tax code, meaning owners of secondary properties will no longer receive a tax benefit for mortgage interest paid on those homes. It also requires the state to submit regular reports to the Legislature about the bill's implementation and effects.

Requires the Office of Elections to include a notice to voters that a digital and print voter information guide is available. Requires the notice to be in thirty-two-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot. Requires the Office of Elections to maintain a notice on its website providing certain information about the voter information guide. Requires the Office of Elections to make the digital voter information guide available to the public no later than twenty-one days before the primary election and no later than fifty days before the general election. Appropriates funds. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 2553 increases the maximum amount of state-funded bonds available for the Hula Mae Multifamily Revenue Program. This change would allow the program to continue financing affordable rental housing projects across the state by raising its funding limit. The bill directly affects affordable housing developers and renters who rely on these state-supported housing options. The program uses revenue bonds to fund new or existing apartment buildings offering below-market rent, and this bill would expand its capacity without creating new requirements. The bill is currently pending review by the Housing Committee.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts from the sale of hearing aids received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual. Effective 1/30/2050. Implementation effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 2210 allows Hawaii's Civil Rights Commission to prosecute housing discrimination based on a tenant's source of income, such as public benefits, housing vouchers, or disability payments. This directly affects landlords and housing providers who may deny housing or impose unfair terms due to how a tenant pays rent. The bill gives the Commission new authority to take legal action in these cases, rather than relying solely on private lawsuits. It aims to address a specific gap in existing anti-discrimination protections by targeting income source as a prohibited factor. The bill passed committee with amendments in February 2026 and is now moving toward final legislative action.