Sets the amount of the employer contribution to the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund as a fixed percentage of the health benefits plan or life insurance plan premium cost. Makes conforming amendments.
Maddy summaryHB 917 would require a minimum prison sentence for individuals convicted of possessing methamphetamine or fentanyl. It directly affects people charged with these specific drug possession offenses by eliminating judicial discretion in sentencing for these crimes. The bill's key provision mandates a fixed term of imprisonment without consideration of individual circumstances, such as prior record or mitigating factors. This legislation is currently pending in committee and has not yet advanced to a vote.
Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to fix the payment of royalties to the State for the filming of scenic shots of iconic locations in the State that are subsequently featured in media for production purposes. Exempts state and county productions.
Appropriates funds to the Department of Accounting and General Services to hire a consultant to evaluate potential locations and designs for the Hawaii First Responders Memorial. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summaryHB 187 increases penalties for certain fireworks violations by raising the maximum fines that can be imposed. It directly affects individuals or businesses that break local or state fireworks laws, such as illegal sales or improper use. The key provision is raising the financial penalties for these violations, though the bill does not change safety rules or ban specific fireworks types. If passed, the higher fines would take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill is currently pending in the legislature after being referred to committees in early 2025.
Increases the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit for qualified productions that utilize qualified production facilities located within the State. Changes the cap amount and aggregate cap amount of the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit to unspecified amounts. Imposes the manufacturing GET rate on motion picture, digital media, and film productions and repeals the provision in the definition of "qualified production costs" that applied the term to mean costs incurred that are subject to the highest GET rate. Exempts from the GET amounts received by a motion picture project employer from a client equal to amounts that are disbursed by the motion picture project employer for employee wages, salaries, payroll taxes, insurance premiums, and employment benefits and payments to loan-out companies. (HD1)
Imposes insurance coverage as a prerequisite for the operation of electric bicycles in a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more. Establishes a regulatory framework for electric bicycle insurance. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires the counties to adopt the Hawaii state building codes no later than one year after its adoption. Authorizes a county with a population in excess of 500,000 to amend its building energy conservation code to require more stringent energy-saving performance.
Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as an investigator in a position identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or Department of the Attorney General as a labor shortage or difficult—to-fill position, subject to certain conditions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction to include in the director's annual report to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as investigators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Prohibits the addition of fluoride to a public water system. Preempts and voids conflicting laws, executive orders, ordinances, regulations, or rules.
