Sen. Brandon Elefante

Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 2124 would require judges to impose mandatory prison sentences and maximum fines for individuals convicted of arson offenses, removing judicial discretion in sentencing. It directly affects people found guilty of arson, replacing current sentencing options with fixed penalties. The bill's key provision is a mandatory minimum prison term coupled with the highest allowable fine for all qualifying arson convictions. This policy change would standardize penalties for arson crimes across the jurisdiction. The bill is currently pending in committee review as of the latest update.

Maddy summarySB 2220 designates the date of the second new moon after the winter solstice each year as a state holiday to celebrate Lunar New Year. This holiday would apply to state employees and public institutions that observe state holidays. The bill establishes a specific astronomical calculation (second new moon post-winter solstice) to determine the annual holiday date, rather than setting a fixed calendar date. This change would affect how state operations schedule holidays for this observance.

Requires the 911 Board to establish, implement, and maintain a statewide emergency safety profile system that allows residents to voluntarily create and manage secure personal profiles containing information relevant to emergency responses.

Requires the Department of Health to develop by 12/31/2026, standardized educational materials relating to lung cancer screening and language on lung cancer screening information to be included in signage and written notices to be used by retailers of tobacco products. Beginning 1/1/2027, requires retailers engaged in the retail sale of tobacco products to display signage on lung cancer screening at each point of sale and provide written notice on lung cancer screening to each buyer of a tobacco product.

By January 1, 2027, requires each law enforcement agency operating in the State to maintain a publicly available policy on the visible identification of law enforcement officers and use of facial coverings.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a statewide Environmental Stewardship Curricula Plan for public schools for certain students. Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires public schools to offer an environmental stewardship course for certain students. Requires the Department of Education to establish and administer sustainability programs, including recycling and composting programs, to be implemented at public schools. Beginning 7/1/27, prohibits the use or distribution of single-use plastic utensils, trays, straws, and other disposable plastic food service products in public school cafeterias. Beginning 7/1/28, requires each public school to have at least one operational refillable water bottle filling station accessible to students and staff. Requires reports to the Board of Education and the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to compile, maintain, and publish on its website a public inventory of underutilized public properties suitable for affordable rental housing development. Requires the HHFDC to provide legal and administrative assistance to requesting county agencies and eligible developers to accelerate the development of affordable rental housing projects. Establishes eligibility requirements for developers and rental housing projects seeking interim financing from the HHFDC. Establishes the Affordable Rental Supply Revolving Fund to be administered by the HHFDC to provide interim financing for eligible developers of approved rental housing projects. Establishes the Affordable Homeownership Program within the HHFDC to provide second mortgages to homebuyers under certain conditions. Establishes eligibility requirements for a homebuyer seeking a second mortgage from the HHFDC. Establishes the Affordable Homeownership Assistance Revolving Fund to be administered by the HHFDC. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 2012 removes a limit on the amount of property transfer tax revenue that must be directed to the land conservation fund. This change directly affects the land conservation fund by allowing it to receive all available conveyance tax revenue without a previously set maximum. The key mechanism is repealing the existing cap, meaning more funds could flow to land conservation projects as property transfers occur. This policy change shifts how tax revenue is allocated, increasing potential funding for land conservation efforts.

Maddy summarySB 2020 allocates state funds to support the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy's Space Science and Engineering Initiative Workforce Development Program. The bill directly affects the University of Hawaii system by providing financial resources for this specific program, which focuses on training and developing a skilled workforce in space science and engineering fields. Its key provision is the appropriation of moneys to the designated program, with no other substantive policy changes or mechanisms outlined in the abstract. The bill is currently pending committee review after its introduction and first reading.