Establishes a Desalination Planning Task Force to examine the feasibility of, and develop a plan and timeline for, the use desalination as a source of potable water in the State.
Increases the state supplemental payment ceilings for type I adult residential care homes, licensed developmental disabilities domiciliary homes, community care foster family homes, certified adult foster homes, and type II adult residential care homes.
Requires the department of taxation to establish a two-year pilot program that reduces the income tax liability for certain residents within the 96792 postal zip code on the island of Oahu. Establishes eligibility and reporting requirements. Repeals 12/31/2027.
Maddy summaryHB 722 would change state unemployment benefit rules to allow workers who participate in labor strikes to qualify for benefits. Currently, striking workers are typically ineligible for unemployment assistance, but this bill would remove that barrier. It directly affects workers involved in labor disputes by expanding their access to financial support during job actions. The key provision amends existing eligibility criteria to include those who leave work due to a strike, rather than losing their jobs through no fault of their own.
Raises the minimum age requirement to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Removes the parental consent and written approval by the family court requirements for a minor to marry. Removes spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Makes conforming amendments.
Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires the Department of Education to include the teaching of financial literacy in the personal transition plan requirement for each student.
Maddy summaryHB 55 changes penalties for certain fireworks violations, upgrading them from misdemeanors to class C felonies. This directly affects individuals or businesses that violate specific fireworks laws, such as selling or possessing prohibited fireworks. The key provision increases the criminal penalties for these offenses, making them serious felony charges rather than lesser offenses. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being introduced on January 16, 2025. It does not change fireworks safety rules or accessibility, only the legal consequences for violations.
Permanently increases the state earned income tax credit to fifty per cent of the federal earned income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.
Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to operate and approve conservation banks and amends the Endangered Species Recovery Committee's membership and scope of authority. Effective upon approval.
Maddy summaryHB 665 creates a working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to develop rules and policies for how state agencies share data. The group will establish guidelines for data governance, including security and privacy standards, to improve coordination across state departments. The bill allocates funds to support the group’s operations and meetings. This bill is currently in early stages (introduced January 2025, referred to committees) and does not directly affect residents or businesses, but will shape future data-sharing practices for state agencies.
