Sen. Michelle Kidani

Establishes a refundable Family Caregiver Tax Credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to report to the Legislature before the convening of each Regular Session.

Establishes a working group within the Office of the Governor for administrative purposes to ascertain the State's available water resources and water system source capacity and to streamline well permit approval processes to further plan for the development of affordable housing. Requires the working group to inventory all available water resources statewide and identify sources of aquifer replenishment in relation to affordable housing development. Requires an interim and final report to the Legislature. (SD2)

Authorizes a county with a pre-existing surcharge to continue the surcharge after December 31, 2030, at a lower rate of one-fourth per cent. Authorizes counties that have not adopted a surcharge ordinance on state tax to adopt a surcharge ordinance at the current rate of one-half of one per cent through December 31, 2030, and at a rate of one-fourth of one per cent after December 31, 2030. Expands the authorized use of surcharge revenues to more than capital costs of a locally preferred alternative for a mass transit project for counties with a population greater than five hundred thousand.

Maddy summarySB 436 limits the State Fire Marshal position to a maximum of three terms. This means no individual can serve as State Fire Marshal for more than three consecutive terms under this law. The rule takes effect on July 1, 2050. The bill directly affects the person holding the State Fire Marshal position, changing the term limits for that specific state office.

Authorizes the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish a two-year Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program to provide 50 per cent matching grants to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the United States Department of Defense Office of Naval Research. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to adopt administrative rules to implement the Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program. Establishes the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds.

Establishes an External Audit Committee within the University of Hawaii to audit the University of Hawaii System and the Board of Regents. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Maddy summarySB 357 establishes specific criteria for unpaid student internship programs under the state's wage laws. It directly affects student interns and employers offering unpaid positions by requiring clear standards to ensure compliance with wage regulations. Key provisions include defining when unpaid internships are legally permissible, such as mandating educational value for interns and preventing displacement of paid workers. The bill is currently pending in committee review for the 2026 session after being introduced in January 2025.

Specifies the appointment processes and terms for the Fire Chief of the Hawaii State Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Unit of the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation. (CD1)

Allows the Governor to negotiate land exchanges, subject to approval by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, to acquire lands that are suitable for long-term diversified agricultural production in exchange for land for private affordable, workforce, or other housing development. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Requires mandatory written reports of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Human Services to include the military status of the child's parent or other persons responsible for the child's care, if known. Requires the Department of Human Services to inform the appropriate authority for the branch of the United States military when, upon receiving a report of child abuse or neglect, there is sufficient information to determine that the report involves a family where one of the parents, guardians, or alleged perpetrators is a member of an identifiable branch of the United States military. (CD1)