Sen. Glenn Wakai

Maddy summarySB 2850 expands eligibility for disabled parking permits to include people who are blind or deaf, directly affecting these residents in accessing parking accommodations. The bill amends existing law to allow individuals with these specific disabilities to apply for and receive the same disabled parking permit as those with other mobility impairments. This change modifies the current permit program by adding blindness and deafness as qualifying conditions, without altering other eligibility criteria or permit usage rules. The bill is currently under review by the TRS/HHS committee, with a public hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2701 appropriates state funds to plan, design, and build a new outpatient care center in North Kona, Hawaii. The bill directly affects residents in the West Hawaii region by providing resources for expanded local healthcare services. Key provisions include funding for site work, construction, and facility planning to support outpatient care needs. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, and does not alter existing healthcare laws or regulations. The bill passed committee recommendation on February 2, 2026, with all five committee members voting in favor.

Maddy summarySB 2093 requires the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee to hold at least one regular meeting each calendar quarter and appropriates funds to support these meetings. This bill directly affects the committee by mandating its quarterly activity and providing necessary funding. The legislation focuses on procedural requirements for the committee's operations, with no substantive policy changes beyond meeting schedules and funding allocation.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study the impacts of the incremental minimum wage increases pursuant to Act 114, SLH 2022, on businesses and other employers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 2072 allocates state funds to sponsor a Michelin Guide for restaurants across the state. The bill directly affects restaurants by providing state funding for their inclusion in the guide. The key provision is the appropriation of money specifically for this tourism-related initiative.

Maddy summarySB 2355 requires the state Transportation Director to create rules enabling mobile safety inspections for passenger cars, allowing inspections to occur at various locations instead of only fixed stations. This directly affects passenger car owners by changing how vehicle safety checks are conducted. The key provision mandates the adoption of specific rules for mobile inspection services, focusing on practical implementation. The bill does not specify inspection frequency or costs, only establishing the framework for mobile inspections.

Requires the Department of the Attorney General to publish, on the Department's public website, an annual report that compiles information on firearms, firearm-related deaths and injuries, and firearm violations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 2181 would require public schools in the state to increase the minimum number of instructional hours for students starting with the 2027-2028 school year. This change directly affects all public K-12 schools, as it mandates longer school days or additional instructional days to meet the new standard. The bill specifies the exact hour requirement but does not detail how schools must implement the increase. The measure is currently pending committee review after being introduced in January 2026.

Requires the Hawaii Medical Board to require each person practicing medicine or podiatric medicine as a surgical assistant in the State to be licensed as a surgical assistant. Establishes exceptions. Requires the Hawaii Medical Board by rule to establish the application procedure, medical educational and training standards, examination requirements, if any, for surgical assistant licensure and degrees of supervision for surgical assistants. Establishes the Surgical Assistant Advisory Committee. Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by surgical assistants.

Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Financial Institutions and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to conduct a two-year study to gather data on how to establish a state-level regulatory framework for stablecoin digital assets. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.