Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Clarifies that the monthly needs allowance afforded to individuals living in certain long-term care facilities is not intended to replace or affect funds received as a state supplemental payment for domiciliary care and shall be supplemental to any funds provided to a recipient as a state supplemental payment for domiciliary care. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 1580 requires government buildings in Hawaii to fly the "honor and remember" flag and the pride flag alongside the U.S. and Hawaiian flags on specified days. It directly affects public buildings and government entities that display flags on designated occasions. The bill specifies that these additional flags must be flown in coordination with the U.S. and Hawaiian flags but does not detail which specific days are required. As a procedural flag-display bill, it focuses on ceremonial protocol rather than substantive policy changes. The bill is currently in early stages (referred to committee after introduction on January 22, 2025).

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires contracts for services awarded to community-based organizations by the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, or Judiciary in support of fulfilling their statutory mandates to individuals, families, and communities in the State to include certain protections against inflation. Appropriates funds to the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Judiciary to increase the contract price in existing contracts for certain services provided by community-based organizations in support of fulfilling their statutory mandates to individuals, families, and communities in the State.

Increases the income tax rate on the highest income earners in the State by establishing a new tax bracket for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2029.

Requires all health care providers who accept Medicare to provide a cognitive assessment as part of the Medicare Part B annual wellness visit for Medicare beneficiaries sixty-five years of age or older, with certain exceptions. Requires health care providers to submit certain information to the Executive Office on Aging and the Executive Office on Aging to report de-identified aggregated data to the Legislature on an annual basis. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2026.

Requires all playgrounds located in state and county parks and on public school grounds to include special needs recreational playground equipment as part of the recreational apparatuses by 6/30/2027, including at a minimum a wheelchair accessible swing set. Establishes the Special Needs Recreational Playground Equipment Special Fund. Appropriates funds.

Establishes the State-Owned Historic Properties Preservation Plan Working Group within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to ensure the preservation of state-owned historic properties and inherited lands. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Amends the definition of "farming operation" by including customary and traditional subsistence farming conducted by native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and excluding concentrated animal feeding operations and business entities with unclear or non-transparent ownership or beneficiary structures. Establishes additional criteria for farming operations to meet in order to be protected against nuisance claims. Clarifies the purpose and intent of the Hawaii Right to Farm Act.

Prohibits covered entities in the State from entering into contracts with drug manufacturers that limit the covered entities' use of contract pharmacies. Voids contract provisions for certain drugs if the provisions are based on the maximum allowable cost payment model. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action for violations.

Maddy summarySB 143 authorizes the state to issue special license plates commemorating the island of Kahoolawe. This bill directly affects vehicle owners who may choose to purchase these commemorative plates. It is a procedural bill with no complex mechanisms, simply enabling the creation of these plates to honor Kahoolawe.