Permits the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to adopt rules.
Maddy summarySB 2597 creates an income tax credit for dairy farmers who convert their operations to hog farming. The credit covers costs for building or upgrading facilities like pens, waste systems, or feed storage during the conversion process. This directly affects dairy farmers seeking to switch livestock operations by reducing their state income tax burden for these specific infrastructure expenses. The policy provides a concrete tax benefit for eligible conversion costs without altering broader tax rates or policies.
Exempts the Center for Cultural and Technical Exchange Between East and West, Inc. from the qualifying standards and conditions related to the receipt of funds contained in chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, provided that if the center contracts with a recipient or provider, then the conditions in chapter 42F, shall apply to that recipient or provider and the contract.
Maddy summarySB 1101 designates May 1 of each year as "Laulau Day" in the State. This ceremonial bill formally establishes the date for recognition purposes without creating new laws or affecting specific groups. It is a procedural measure to honor a cultural observance through state designation. The bill is currently in the legislative process, having been introduced in 2025.
Establishes a process by which the Legislature may establish community districts by concurrent resolution. Requires the board members of the community districts to be elected by residents of the community district.
Requires all riders of a high-speed electric bicycle who are under 18 years of age or in a restraining seat or trailer towed by the bicycle to wear a safety helmet. Requires licensure of high-speed electric bicycle operators. Defines "high-speed electric bicycle."
Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Commission within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes a Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires news media outlets to provide training in the ethics of journalism to journalists and editors in their employ. Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Review Board to be administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Review Board to handle complaints and appeals regarding violations of the Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes penalties for violations. Requires the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to conduct an analysis of the journalism program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Social Sciences. Requires the Board of Regents to report to the Legislature.
Provides for the transfer of certain parcels in the Liliha Civic Center area and Iwilei Fire Station area from various state agencies to the City and County of Honolulu. Provides for the transfer of the parcel of land on which Alii Place is sited from the City and County of Honolulu to the State. Repeals the sunset provision of Act 4, SLH 2024. Requires the City and County of Honolulu to accept the properties transferred in satisfaction of all amounts owed by Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation under the Kapolei roadways, drainage, and sewer settlement. Exempts the land transferred from the definition of public lands for purposes of chapter 171, HRS.
Specifies that the works of art special fund's one per cent transfer requirement shall apply only to capital improvement appropriations for the original construction of state buildings. Amends the authority for funds from the works of art special fund to be used only for costs related to the acquisition of works of art. Appropriates funds.
Reestablishes the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii as an organized research unit within the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) that is administered by a director appointed by the University of Hawaii's board of regents with direct lines of reporting to the chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, provost of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and dean of JABSOM. Requires funds expended from the Research and Training Revolving Fund for JABSOM and the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii to be used for research and research-related purposes only. Repeals provisions that required the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii to be administratively affiliated with JABSOM.
