Sen. Karl Rhoads

Maddy summarySB 1173 requires noncandidate committees - groups not running for office but spending money on elections - to pay a fee based on their total independent expenditures during election periods. This fee applies to spending like ads or mailers aimed at influencing elections, directly affecting organizations like advocacy groups or unions that fund such activities. The bill takes effect on April 23, 2057, and the fee amount is tied to the total spending level. It does not change campaign contribution limits or alter candidate fundraising rules.

Maddy summarySB 456 requires landlords to keep rental units free of bed bugs throughout the entire tenancy period, directly affecting landlords and tenants in residential properties. The bill mandates proactive maintenance by landlords rather than just addressing infestations after they occur. This policy change aims to protect tenants from bed bug exposure by making landlords responsible for prevention and ongoing control during occupancy. The bill passed committee with amendments and is now moving toward final passage.

Authorizes the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to request the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to furnish a list of five qualified and experienced interest arbitrators in the event the parties fail to select the neutral third member of the arbitration panel. Clarifies that the list of five interest arbitrators may contain arbitrators from both the American Arbitration Association and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. (SD1)

Allows a dental graduate from a dental college accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada to be an eligible candidate for a community service license (CSL). Repeals the requirement that the licensing examinations be completed within five years of a request for a CSL. Repeals the requirement that a CSL applicant provide a copy of an active, unrestricted dental practice license form another state. Repeals the prohibition against a person who failed the license examination from obtaining a CSL. Requires a CSL to be eligible for conversion to an unrestricted dental practice license when a dental provider who holds a CSL completes at least five thousand hours of community service to patients in the State.

Maddy summarySB 123 removes a tax break for Hawaii residents who own second homes by eliminating the home mortgage interest deduction for those properties under state income tax law. This change directly affects homeowners who claim mortgage interest deductions on vacation homes or secondary residences but not primary homes. The bill also requires the state to submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing the impact of this tax change.

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 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Prohibits state or county grantees, officers and immediate family members of state or county contractors, and officers and immediate family members of state or county grantees, from contributing to candidate committees and noncandidate committees for the duration of the contract. Prohibits state or county grantees from knowingly soliciting any contributions. Requires candidates, candidate committees, and noncandidate committees to return any unlawful contribution to the contributor within thirty calendar days of receipt. Provides that an unlawful contribution shall escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund if it is not returned to the contributor within thirty calendar days. Requires disclosures of the names of any owners, officers and immediate family members of a state or county contractor or grantee for contracts exceeding a certain amount. (SD1)

Requires insurers to provide automatic, advance written premium change notices to common interest community policyholders and the Insurance Commissioner, with reasonable explanations and primary factors, disclosing the causes of any premium increase if, upon renewal, premiums are scheduled to increase more than an unspecified per cent. Requires insurers to automatically issue a loss run report to the policyholder at the end of each policy year. Requires insurers that renewed property insurance policies between 2022 and 2024 for policyholders that were condominium associations, planned community associations, or cooperative housing corporations in the State to provide an explanation for certain premium increases during this period. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 483 allocates state funds for Hawaii's Department of Human Services to conduct a study on Medicaid payment rates for home health services. The study will examine current reimbursement rates for providers offering in-home care to Medicaid patients. This research aims to assess whether current rates adequately support service delivery and provider sustainability. The bill directly affects home health agencies and Medicaid beneficiaries in Hawaii.

Expands the definitions of "preceptor" and "volunteer-based supervised clinical training rotation" to improve accessibility for providers to receive income tax credits for acting as preceptors, including removing "primary care" from the criteria to qualify as a preceptor. Adds dieticians, physician assistants, and social workers to the list of preceptors and eligible students. Expands eligibility for the tax credit to include accredited residency programs that require preceptor support. Adds the Director of Health and residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. (SD1)