Sen. Henry Aquino

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to allow other executive branch departments to select applicants for civil service positions from the applicant pool for initial screening.

Establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit for taxpayers that incur costs related to the design, materials, installation, and construction of hurricane-resistant safe rooms. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Establishes the Conventional Farming Grant Program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture to provide grants to small and midsized farmers who practice conventional farming. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 476 increases fines for specific fireworks violations, directly affecting individuals or businesses that break existing fireworks laws. The bill raises penalty amounts for offenses like unauthorized sale, possession, or use of prohibited fireworks. It does not change what activities are banned but makes penalties for violations stricter. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Restricts civil asset forfeiture to cases involving the commission of a felony offense where the property owner has been convicted of an underlying felony offense. Directs forfeiture proceeds to the general fund. Amends the allowable expenses for moneys in the Criminal Forfeiture Fund. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Amends the deadline for the Attorney General to report to the Legislature on the use of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Limits the transfer of certain forfeiture property to federal agencies. Establishes records requirements.

Requires the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine to construct, establish, and operate a disease and environmental toxins testing laboratory to test samples submitted by the public for diseases; water, air, and soil quality; and complex testing. Requires a report to the Legislature. Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 184 increases the deposit and refund value for eligible beverage containers under the state's deposit beverage container program from 5 cents to 10 cents per container. This change directly affects beverage retailers who collect the deposit at point of sale and consumers who return containers for the refund. The key mechanism is simply raising the refund amount, meaning consumers would receive 10 cents instead of 5 cents when returning qualifying containers like cans and bottles. The bill modifies the program's financial structure without altering which containers are covered or adding new requirements.

Establishes a Universal Representation in Immigration Proceedings Program within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Office of Community Services to provide access to legal representation, under certain conditions. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Beginning 10/1/2025, requires mortuaries, cemeteries, and pre-need funeral authorities that contract to provide cremation services to provide written notice if precious metals are recovered after cremation and to obtain written consent before the sale or recycling of any recovered precious metals. Requires mortuaries, cemeteries, and pre-need funeral authorities that have contracted to provide cremation services to give certain notice of updated terms by 1/1/2026.