Sen. Donna Kim

Maddy summarySB 330 authorizes the state Department of Agriculture to enforce federal quarantine orders related to invasive species. This would directly affect businesses or individuals handling plants, animals, or goods that could spread harmful invasive species, such as agricultural shipments or pet trade imports. The bill provides the state agency with the authority to implement existing federal quarantine requirements, without creating new quarantine rules. It focuses on ensuring compliance with federal standards to prevent the introduction or spread of invasive species through regulated pathways.

Part I: Increases the penalty for a third or subsequent offense within five years of excessive speeding to a misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum jail sentence of thirty days. Part II: Clarifying when a summons or citation is sent under an automated speed enforcement system. (CD2)

Requires condominium associations to provide electronic copies of their governing documents, as amended or restated, to unit owners or their authorized agents, upon request, at no cost. Repeals the authority of condominium associations to charge a reasonable fee for administrative costs associated with the handling of a request for association documents. (CD1)

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, expands free school meal coverage to students who currently qualify for reduced-price lunch. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, expands free school meal coverage to students whose family income is not more than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Exempts all positions filled by the Hawaii Tourism Authority within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from the state civil service law. Amends the definition of "convention center facility" for purposes of chapter 201B, HRS, to clarify that the facilities must reflect a Hawaii sense of place. Designates the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors (Board) as an advisory board. Removes the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism as a member of the Board. Requires a member of the Board to represent a tourism-impacted entity. Provides that the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives each appoints a member of the Board. Makes the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority a position appointed by the Board, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to report to the Governor. Amends the eligibility requirements to serve on the Board. Provides that the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority's length of term of service shall be set by written contract by the Board. (CD1)

Beginning 1/1/2026, amends the notice period for a property insurer to notify a policyholder of a cancellation, including cancellation due to nonpayment, or nonrenewal of a policy of property insurance. (CD1)

Authorizes the counties to adopt ordinances to enforce the accessible parking space requirements for parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities and electric vehicles. (CD1)

Clarifies the definition of "covered employer" under the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act. Requires covered employers to automatically enroll covered employees into the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program unless the employee opts out. Repeals the limit on the total fees and expenses that can be spent for the Program each year. (CD1)

Prohibits third-party restaurant reservation services from advertising, listing, promoting, facilitating, enabling, or selling restaurant reservations without first obtaining a written agreement from the applicable restaurant authorizing the action. Establishes a private cause of action for civil remedies. (CD1)

Maddy summarySCR 54 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a Desalination Planning Task Force to study whether desalination (converting seawater to fresh water) could feasibly meet the state's large-scale water needs. The task force, composed of state and county water officials, health representatives, and cultural advisors, will assess water demand, environmental impacts of desalination plants, cultural site protections, and how it might support water resilience after events like the Red Hill contamination. It must report findings and recommendations to the legislature by 2026, including potential policy changes. This resolution does not enact new law but directs a study to inform future water management decisions.