Sen. Rachele Lamosao

Allows the Department of Health to use money in the Deposit Beverage Container Deposit Special Fund to deploy reverse vending machines. Repeals certain exemptions for beverage dealers from the requirement to operate redemption centers. Allows for the establishment of regional centers for the redemption of refillable beverage containers but not as substitutes for dealers' means to receive deposit beverage containers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for state facility systems, infrastructure, transit projects, and other areas in the Hawaii State Planning Act to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. Adds definition of "green infrastructure". Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in partnership with the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force, to submit a report to the Legislature making recommendations for implementing the green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines. Establishes full-time equivalent ( .0 FTE) policy analyst positions within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development. Appropriates funds.

Establishes the rare disease advisory council to increase awareness and effective medical intervention for rare diseases. Establishes the rare disease advisory council special fund. Requires DOH and DOE to incorporate the importance of annual physical examinations for children in programs and literature. Amends the insurance code to include coverage for individuals with velocardiofacial syndrome and other genetic disorders. Exempts from cost sharing. Appropriates funds.

Requires police officers to send a carbon copy of a citation to the registered owner of a vehicle within five business days after the citation is issued. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Crimes Council. Expands the duties of the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with and support the Council. Establishes the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Allows tenants who prevail in a lawsuit for a violation of the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code to be awarded damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and costs of the suit.

Makes a second or subsequent conviction for violation of a domestic abuse protective order a class C felony. Increases the sentencing requirements for second or subsequent convictions.

Adds the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, or the Chairperson's designee, to the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Maddy summaryHB 913 appropriates funds to create new staff positions within the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources. This bill directly affects the division by providing resources for hiring additional personnel. It is a funding measure focused solely on staffing, with no policy changes or direct impact on the public or other agencies. The bill remains pending in the 2025 session.

Maddy summaryHB 598 prohibits insurance companies from requiring patients to pay copays, deductibles, or other cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams ordered by doctors to investigate concerns or monitor conditions. This directly affects patients needing these specific exams, such as follow-up tests after abnormal mammograms. The bill mandates that insurers cover these exams fully without patient cost-sharing, applying only to diagnostic and supplemental procedures - not routine screenings. It represents a policy change to reduce financial barriers for medically necessary breast examinations.