Sen. Glenn Wakai

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)

Establishes the Tourism Liaison Officer position within the Office of the Governor. Amends the duties of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to focus on marketing and branding, rather than destination management and regenerative tourism. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes a Capitol Visitor Center Working Group to study the feasibility of establishing a Capitol Visitor Center and submit a report to the Legislature. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to provide administrative support to the Working Group. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to assist the Working Group in preparing and submitting the report to the Legislature. Working Group to sunset on 6/30/2027. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to expend the moneys from the State Parks Special Fund for programs aimed at environmental protection.

Prohibits persons being prosecuted for or convicted of the crime of criminal trespass on agricultural land from owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition.

Establishes a five-year pilot program allowing retirants to be rehired for exempt service for one-year terms under certain circumstances. Provides that retirants employed under the program are excluded from the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund and will not experience an interruption of pension benefits. Requires an employer of a retirant under the program to contribute to the Employees' Retirement System. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to submit a report to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 2659 prohibits current employees of the University of Hawaii or the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii from serving on the Board of Regents. This bill directly affects active staff members at these institutions who might otherwise be eligible for board appointments. The key provision is a clear legal ban preventing such employees from holding board positions, aiming to avoid potential conflicts of interest. The bill is currently in committee review, having passed its first reading and scheduled for a public hearing on February 9, 2026.

Allows direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees. Requires the liquor commission of each county to adopt rules and regulations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes the Hanai Memory Network Program within the Executive Office on Aging to create a network of dementia care specialists and support systems to assist individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Establishes the Search and Rescue Card Program and Search and Rescue Special Fund to reimburse state and county agencies and volunteer organizations for search and rescue operations. Establishes reimbursement procedures for search and rescue operations.