Sen. Michelle Kidani

Requires state agencies that administer agricultural leases, licenses, development programs, or procurement involving agricultural products to award points or preferences to agricultural projects incorporating agricultural workforce housing. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to submit a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Establishes the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Research Center of Hawaii (Research Center) within the University of Hawaii. Requires the Research Center to be administratively affiliated with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). Requires JABSOM, the Research Center, University of Hawaii Center on Aging, and University of Hawaii at Manoa to identify opportunities to capitalize on collaboration between the parties and maximize operational efficiencies. Requires the Research Center to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health Incentive Program within the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires payments to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for letting, licensing, or renting of its properties to be at appraised market value rates or higher, except where the lessees, licensees, and tenants grow, raise, and harvest fresh local agricultural products for the Department of Education or are partner members of the Food and Product Innovation Network. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire, repair, and maintain irrigation systems in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires DOH to submit a reorganization plan to the Legislature to consolidate the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions with the Homeless Programs Office under a single centralized entity. Specifies the contents of the reorganization plan and the dates by which the draft and final plan and timeline for reorganization must be submitted to the Legislature. Requires the consolidated entity to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriate funds. Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds for the Kauhale Initiative and related capital improvement projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Establishes the Defeasement Trust Fund within the Department of Budget and Finance for the defeasement of tax-exempt bonds to allow private use of state facilities financed by tax-exempt bonds. Requires the Department to consult with bond counsel before defeasement. Appropriates moneys in and out of the Defeasement Trust Fund for defeasement of certain tax-exempt bonds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 2152 proposes a constitutional amendment to raise Hawaii's mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices from 70 to 75 years. This change would directly affect current and future state court judges, allowing them to serve until age 75 instead of retiring at 70. The bill would amend Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution to reflect this age increase. The measure is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee, which recently recommended passage with amendments.

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 mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Specifies that implementation is contingent upon and only to the extent approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)