Expands the circumstances where the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations may waive the requirements for individuals to register to work and report to an employment office to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Authorize the Department to allow individuals to report to a location other than an employment office or other location approved pursuant to its rules. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires notices of determinations and documentation relating to appeals to be sent electronically, unless the election for mail is made. Allows an individual to change an elected withholding status more than once during a benefit year. Amends the statutory definition of "registered for work" or "registration for work". Repeals the requirement for individuals to post their work availability online to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Repeals the statutory provision for joint experience rating. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Sponsored bills
Establishes a Hawaii-Japan Pacific Peace Monument to be developed by the State Foundation on Culture and appropriate stakeholders representing Hawaii and Japan. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summarySCR 83 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the State Auditor to conduct a financial audit of Hawaii's institutional networks (used by government, schools, etc.) on each island. The audit aims to determine the actual maintenance costs for these networks, which cable operators were originally contractually required to build at no cost to the state or subscribers. The resolution requires the Auditor to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026, including any proposed legislative changes. This is a procedural request for transparency, not a new law.
Requires a landowner in possession of ten thousand or more acres in the State to be liable for damages and fines arising from runoff originating on the land and entering into state waters. Requires the Department of Health to prioritize enforcement of water pollution control regulations in rural areas where there are existing reports of runoff and other terms of water pollution. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 66) requests the State Auditor to conduct a financial audit of Hawaii's institutional networks on each island to determine their actual maintenance costs. It directly affects the State Auditor, who must report findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. The resolution aims to increase transparency about costs for these networks, which serve public institutions like schools and government buildings, and addresses concerns that franchise fees (meant for maintenance) may not align with actual expenses. It does not create new law but seeks factual data to inform future decisions.
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.
Extends the offense of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee to include roasted coffee. Imposes a mandatory $10,000 fine for each separate offense of false-labeling of Hawaii-grown roasted coffee. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to support public schools impacted by a local investor‑owned electric utility's planned public safety power shutoff program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Reduces the amount the Department of Education is authorized to charge for school meals to all students enrolled in department schools to no more than one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Expands the ban on pistols with a detachable magazine with over a ten-round capacity to any firearm with a detachable magazine with over a thirty-round capacity. Exempts detachable ammunition magazines with a capacity in excess of thirty rounds that are designed for or capable of use with any firearm other than a pistol obtained before 1/1/2026. Effective 1/1/2026. (SD2)