Sen. Michelle Kidani

Maddy summarySB 1621 exempts nail technicians from state licensing requirements, directly affecting individuals working as nail technicians in the state. The bill removes the current need for nail technicians to obtain a state-issued license to practice. The bill passed the committee (CPN) on February 7, 2025, with amendments recommended for passage. This change would streamline entry into the profession by eliminating a specific regulatory barrier.

Establishes within the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority the Condominium Loan Program to provide qualified condominium associations with low-cost financing or refinancing on previously obtained loans for maintenance and essential repairs. Establishes the Condominium Loan Loss Reserves Program to incentivize lenders into providing loans at competitive rates and terms for the purpose of allowing condominium associations to make necessary maintenance or repairs. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds into and out of the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Clarifies the process by which the Hawaii Community Development Authority may approve residential development on certain parcels of Kakaako Makai. Raises the building height limit and the maximum floor area ratio on certain parcels in the area. Requires a certain percentage of the residential units developed on certain parcels to be allocated to households at or below a certain income level in perpetuity, with priority given to certain essential workforce in the area. Limits the sale of residential units developed in certain residential developments to prospective owner-occupants. Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to determine a Kakaako Makai association fee to be collected from residents, tenants, and lessees of certain parcels to be deposited into a special account in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Special Fund to fund various services and projects in the Kakaako Makai area. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 529 allocates state funds to the Department of Education for its Hoakea Program, which directly supports educational services for students. The bill establishes a specific funding mechanism to implement this program, with the funds becoming effective July 1, 2050. This legislation provides concrete financial resources to the Department of Education to carry out the Hoakea Program’s objectives.

Amends the Uniform Information Practices Act to require each contract to perform a government function to expressly require the contractor to retain records in accordance with the retention schedule of the agency and provide the agency with access to all records subject to the Uniform Information Practices Act; define "government function" and "trade secret"; clarify that "government record" includes information that is created, received, maintained, or used by a private person in performance of a government function contract; and prohibit agencies from denying a request for access to records of a contractor used in the performance of a government function on the basis of trade secret or other proprietary information. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Specifies that sports wagering shall not be considered games of chance or gambling. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Prohibits the collection, sale, or disclosure of any driver data that is obtained by a motor vehicle or other connected car service, feature, or application to any third-party without the explicit consent of the owner or lessee of the vehicle. Designates exemptions. Requires any disclosure notification for any data collection to be clear and conspicuous. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires condominium associations to repair defective conditions of common elements that constitute health or safety violations. Allows unit owners to make the repairs at the association's expense.

Repeals all permissible uses of consumer fireworks by minors. Establishes civil penalties for the use and sale of consumer fireworks, including nuisance abatement proceedings and forfeiture of assets used in the commission of the illegal use or sale of consumer fireworks. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to provide for community safety education programs. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to increase the funding for the Med-QUEST Division's reimbursement for applied behavioral analysis services for persons with autism. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)