Sen. Karl Rhoads

Proposes amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution to repeal the counties' exclusive power to tax real property, and to authorize the Legislature to establish a state surcharge on real property taxes levied by the counties on certain residential investment properties, for the purpose of helping to fund public education for all of Hawaii's children and adults.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop, implement, and maintain a centralized resource website to connect residents to support and resources to address affordability, health, safety, and the impacts of climate change.

Requires quarterly rather than annual reporting of all use of restricted use pesticides. Amends the contents of reports to include specific geospatial data and information and increased detail on the amount of restricted use pesticides used. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides. Appropriates funds.

Amends the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency's functions to include ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and related federal and state disability access laws by integrating the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into emergency planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. Appropriates funds to establish a Disability Integration Specialist and for programming support for disability community projects.

Maddy summarySB 2490 prohibits the manufacture and sale of surfboard wax containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are environmentally persistent chemicals. It directly affects surfboard wax manufacturers and retailers within the state. The bill's key provision bans these specific chemicals in surfboard wax products, aiming to reduce environmental contamination. This policy change targets a common source of PFAS pollution in coastal areas without restricting other uses of the chemicals.

Maddy summarySB 2468 would impose an additional tax (a surcharge) on individuals with taxable income exceeding $1,000,000. The revenue generated would fund the State Medicaid Program, but only if the Legislature approves the surcharge. This bill directly affects high-income earners by increasing their tax obligation. The measure is currently in early committee review stages and requires legislative approval to become law.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to revitalize and enhance the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds.

Requires any disposition of more than one thousand acres of public lands to governments by the Board of Land and Natural Resources to be subject to approval by a majority vote of both houses of the Legislature. Requires the government seeking the disposition of the public land to submit for introduction to the Legislature a resolution containing certain information. Requires a copy of the draft resolution to be sent to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Maddy summarySB 2456 increases the state tax on liquor sales and establishes a mechanism to automatically adjust this tax rate annually based on inflation. The bill directly affects liquor retailers, distributors, and consumers, as the tax increase would raise costs for these businesses and potentially lead to higher prices for consumers. Key provisions include setting a new base tax rate and linking future adjustments to the official inflation index to maintain revenue levels over time. This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process (introduced and passed first reading on January 22, 2026).