Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Incentivizes the installation and use of gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators in the State by establishing an income tax credit to be administered by the Department of Taxation. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish a rebate program. Requires the State Building Code Council to adopt certain standards on gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Expands the circumstances where the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations may waive the requirements for individuals to register to work and report to an employment office to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Authorize the Department to allow individuals to report to a location other than an employment office or other location approved pursuant to its rules. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires notices of determinations and documentation relating to appeals to be sent electronically, unless the election for mail is made. Allows an individual to change an elected withholding status more than once during a benefit year. Amends the statutory definition of "registered for work" or "registration for work". Repeals the requirement for individuals to post their work availability online to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Repeals the statutory provision for joint experience rating. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 175 proposes amending Hawaii's state constitution to raise the mandatory retirement age for state justices and judges from 70 to 75 years. This change would directly affect current and future state judges, allowing them to serve longer in their roles. The bill seeks to modify Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution to implement this age increase. It is currently pending in committee after passing its first reading and committee recommendation with amendments.

Establishes a Universal Representation in Immigration Proceedings Program within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Office of Community Services to provide access to legal representation, under certain conditions. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Establishes the State's Hospital Price Transparency Act. Prohibits hospitals from taking certain debt collection actions against a patient if the hospital is not in compliance with hospital price transparency laws. Allows patients and patient guarantors to file suit against hospitals in violation. Requires hospitals to make public and post their Medicare reimbursement rates no later than 10/1/25 and deems violations as an unfair and deceptive act or practice. Requires the Department of Health to conduct performance assessments of hospitals for adherence to federal transparency rules annually and make a list of hospitals with poor performance available on its website no later than 2/1/2026. Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules.

Requires the State Council on Mental Health to include an unspecified number of members with demonstrated knowledge of or work experience involving native Hawaiian health practices. Requires council members to receive annual training on topics related to native Hawaiian healing and health.

Establishes a Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group within the Department of Health to assess the feasibility of allowing business owners in the State to utilize filtered water collected by water catchment systems for business activities. Requires the Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2027 and dissolve on 6/30/2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Allows newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to increase the funding for the Med-QUEST Division's reimbursement for applied behavioral analysis services for persons with autism. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Mobility Management, established pursuant to Act 214, SLH 2013, in consultation with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Executive Office on Aging and other stakeholder groups.