Sen. Kurt Fevella

Maddy summarySB 2355 requires the state Transportation Director to create rules enabling mobile safety inspections for passenger cars, allowing inspections to occur at various locations instead of only fixed stations. This directly affects passenger car owners by changing how vehicle safety checks are conducted. The key provision mandates the adoption of specific rules for mobile inspection services, focusing on practical implementation. The bill does not specify inspection frequency or costs, only establishing the framework for mobile inspections.

Maddy summarySB 3312 creates a state income tax credit program to encourage commercial property owners to convert vacant or underused buildings (like stores or offices) into residential housing. The bill directly affects property owners who complete such conversions, offering them a tax credit to offset costs. Key provisions include appropriating state funds to cover the credit value and establishing eligibility criteria for qualifying properties. This policy aims to increase housing supply by making commercial-to-residential conversions financially attractive, without specifying target locations or housing types.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds for capital improvement projects to rehabilitate the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium and develop a Waikiki war memorial complex and War memorial center.

Maddy summarySB 967 requires Medicaid and private health insurance plans to cover intravenous ketamine therapy for treating depression. The bill mandates this coverage for eligible patients and allocates state funding to support the program. It directly affects individuals seeking this specific depression treatment and insurers who must now include it in covered services. The policy change creates a new requirement for health coverage without specifying additional eligibility criteria beyond the therapy's use for depression.

Maddy summarySB 2181 would require public schools in the state to increase the minimum number of instructional hours for students starting with the 2027-2028 school year. This change directly affects all public K-12 schools, as it mandates longer school days or additional instructional days to meet the new standard. The bill specifies the exact hour requirement but does not detail how schools must implement the increase. The measure is currently pending committee review after being introduced in January 2026.

Requires the Hawaii Medical Board to require each person practicing medicine or podiatric medicine as a surgical assistant in the State to be licensed as a surgical assistant. Establishes exceptions. Requires the Hawaii Medical Board by rule to establish the application procedure, medical educational and training standards, examination requirements, if any, for surgical assistant licensure and degrees of supervision for surgical assistants. Establishes the Surgical Assistant Advisory Committee. Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by surgical assistants.

Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Financial Institutions and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to conduct a two-year study to gather data on how to establish a state-level regulatory framework for stablecoin digital assets. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 2118 changes how the state recovers money owed by employees. It limits salary deductions for debt repayment to 5% of an employee's gross pay per pay period (with exceptions), replaces the rule requiring immediate recovery during disputed cases, and mandates a 30-day written notice before any deduction. These changes apply specifically to state employees who owe money to the state. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2077.

Maddy summarySB 2076 updates state law to protect individuals' publicity rights by adding "digital replica" to the legal definition of "likeness." This means people can prevent unauthorized digital copies of their appearance or voice from being created or distributed without permission. The bill amends existing publicity rights law to specifically address new technology that generates realistic digital representations. It will take effect on January 1, 2077.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free bus passes for students whose household qualifies the student for free lunch or reduced price lunch under the free and reduced price lunch program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.