Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Board of Land and Natural Resources to exempt agricultural enterprises that practice diversified farming on former sugarcane lands within the Conservation District from needing permits or sight plan approvals. The bill targets farmers and ranchers who want to use these specific lands for growing multiple types of crops, which currently faces a lengthy permitting process that can take up to 180 days. By removing the permit requirement for these specific agricultural activities, the resolution aims to reduce administrative delays and encourage the reuse of former plantation lands. The request is directed at state agencies to implement this exemption, though it does not change existing laws or create new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests that health maintenance organizations in Hawaii comply with state laws requiring timely payment of health care claims. It asks these insurers to issue reimbursements within 30 days of receiving claims, or within 15 days for electronically submitted ones, as mandated by the Clean Claims Statute. The resolution highlights concerns that delayed payments can harm medical practices and patients, particularly in rural and underserved areas. It directs copies of the request to state officials including the Insurance Commissioner and Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for their attention.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources and certain public or private entities to operate conservation banks, subject to approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources, for situations where a person or entity is required to provide compensatory mitigation to offset adverse impacts to threatened, endangered, candidate, or proposed species as part of an approved incidental take license and habitat conservation plan. Adds the Associate Director of the United States Geological Survey, Ecosystems Mission Area, to the membership of the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Requires the Endangered Species Recovery Committee to review applications and proposals for conservation banks and conduct subsequent reviews and oversight. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires each hospital licensed in the State to provide an annual attestation to the State Health Planning and Development Agency that the hospital is in compliance with federal hospital price transparency requirements. Permits patients to file a counterclaim against debt collection actions filed by hospitals to determine if the hospital is in compliance with federal hospital price transparency requirements. Requires hospitals to provide patients with an easy-to-understand itemized bill statement before initiating a debt collection action against a patient. Effective 1/30/2050. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 2448 creates legal remedies for people whose intimate images are shared without consent. It directly affects individuals who have had private photos or videos of their intimate areas distributed without permission. The bill establishes a civil cause of action, allowing victims to sue for damages and seek court orders to remove the images. It defines "intimate images" as photos or videos showing a person's intimate areas, and prohibits their disclosure without the person's consent. The law aims to provide clear legal recourse for victims of non-consensual image sharing.

Requires certain wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material intended for land application for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Director of Health to adopt rules for the monitoring, sampling, testing, and data collection of sewage sludge and other residual material at wastewater treatment works that contain PFAS. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes certain standards for the use of portable solar generation devices and provides certain exemptions from net energy metering and interconnection requirements for devices that meet these standards. Prohibits electric utility companies from requiring customers using portable solar generation devices to obtain approval from the utility, pay any fee or charge, or install additional controls or equipment. Limits the installation of portable solar generation devices to condominiums. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices. Clarifies that any person who owns, controls, operates, or manages a portable solar generation device that is located on the person's property does not qualify as a regulated public utility. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact. Implementation effective January 1, 2028. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Department of Land and Natural Resources, in consultation with the Department of Health, to submit to the Legislature a report on the plan for the transfer of powers and duties of Kalaupapa Settlement prior to the Regular Session of 2027. (SD1)

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Establishes certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)