Authorizes a registered pharmacist under contract with a covered entity for purposes of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to supervise the filling or receipt of a prescription via telehealth in certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summarySB 299 proposes to appropriate funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. This bill is designed to provide financial assistance to healthcare professionals by helping them repay their education loans. The funding aims to support the healthcare workforce by making loan repayment programs available to eligible professionals.
Allows impasses and disputes relating to the amounts of State and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to be resolved by arbitration. Repeals the prohibition against strikes by members of bargaining units on the issue of the amounts of State and county contributions to the Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 20) requests Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to reevaluate its policies on in-person contact visitation at state correctional facilities. Currently, some facilities like Halawa, Maui Community, and Oahu Community Correctional Centers require visitors to be separated by barriers (e.g., glass), which the resolution states does not effectively prevent contraband. The resolution urges the department to identify alternative policies allowing direct contact visits, citing research showing such visits reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation. It specifically aims to help incarcerated individuals maintain connections with family - especially parents with minor children - to improve successful reintegration into society. The resolution is non-binding but directs the department to prioritize this change.
Maddy summarySCR 145 is a procedural resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to form a working group. This group would develop recommendations for creating a state-run paid family and medical leave program, directly affecting Hawaii's private-sector workers - especially those employed by small businesses (under 50 employees) - who currently lack access to paid leave. The resolution aims to address gaps where existing law only provides unpaid leave for larger employers, and highlights that only 25% of private workers in Hawaii currently have access to paid leave through their employers. The proposed program would allow workers to take time off for caregiving without losing income or jobs, while reducing financial burdens on small businesses compared to privately funded alternatives.
Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for State Enterprise Zone Program purposes to include retail sales of tangible personal property manufactured and sold in the enterprise zone to the final consumer, the processing of value-added agricultural products grown within an enterprise zone, the provision of professional services by health care professionals in health-care-related sectors, the use of advanced manufacturing to produce products, or the development of cybersecurity technology. Extends the eligibility period of the state business tax credit and general excise tax exemption for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones from 7 years to 9 years. Extends the eligibility period of the general excise tax exemption for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones engaged in the manufacturing of tangible personal property or the producing or processing of agricultural products from 10 years to 12 years. Makes the extension of the state business tax credit eligibility period applicable to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Makes the extension of the general excise tax exemption eligibility period take effect on 1/1/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summarySB 298 proposes to appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services. These funds are specifically designated to increase financial support for Medicaid in-home services, directly affecting individuals who receive these services. The bill aims to enhance the resources available for in-home care through Medicaid. It is currently set to become effective on July 1, 3000.
Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 32) requests Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to collaborate with the Department of Transportation. It proposes using existing inmate work furlough programs - where eligible inmates gain work experience before release - to assist with state highway and roadway maintenance tasks like pothole repair and vegetation control. The resolution aims to support inmate rehabilitation and reduce recidivism by providing work experience while addressing workforce needs for road maintenance. It does not create new law but asks state agencies to explore this partnership.
Maddy summarySCR 69 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the State Health Planning and Development Agency to convene a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Working Group. The group will evaluate policies to lower drug costs for patients and improve healthcare access, focusing on four key areas: which state agency should oversee PBMs, required reporting, fair pharmacy audit procedures, and protections against under-reimbursed medications. The working group will include representatives from insurance, pharmacy associations, state agencies, and pharmacy benefit managers. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026, but the resolution itself does not enact new laws.
Maddy summarySCR 138 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the State Auditor to conduct a management and performance audit of the University of Hawaii's Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy. The audit will specifically examine Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education (workforce pipelines from pre-K to post-secondary), alignment of academic programs with state job demands, and transfer agreements between four-year universities and community colleges. It requires the Auditor to assess resource allocation, provide improvement recommendations, and submit findings to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change policies but seeks to evaluate existing academic strategy operations for transparency and efficiency.
