Sen. Kurt Fevella

Maddy summarySB 2406 clarifies labeling and advertising rules for coffee grown and processed entirely within the state, directly affecting local coffee producers and sellers. The bill defines "regional origin" to establish clear standards for claiming a coffee's specific geographic source. This creates a concrete requirement that labels must accurately reflect where the coffee was both grown and processed. The legislation aims to prevent misleading claims about coffee's origin while providing clear guidance for businesses operating under state regulations.

Excludes the sale of a motor vehicle to a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle as a sale at wholesale. Imposes the maximum allowable excise tax on the use of tangible personal property in the State for the importation or purchase of a motor vehicle by a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle. Establishes a Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund to pay a temporary hazard pay bonus to certain eligible teachers. Beginning 7/1/2026 until 7/1/2030, deposits the additional tax revenue generated by this Act into the Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund.

Allows for a prosecution for any offense or attempt of any offense under parts V and VI of chapter 707, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to be brought at any time. Prohibits the dismissal of the prosecution of any offense or attempt of any offense under parts V and VI of chapter 707, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because a period of time has elapsed between the commission of the offense and commencement or continuation of the prosecution.

Prohibits any employer or employee from subjecting an employee to abusive conduct. Requires employers and certain employees to take all reasonable preventative and responsive measures to ensure a safe work environment free of abusive conduct. Prohibits employers and certain employees from taking retaliatory actions against employees who engage in certain protected acts. Establishes a penalty, private cause of action, and remedies. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules.

Repeals existing law that preempts local ordinances or regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices and voids any existing local laws and regulations conflicting with the state law governing smoking. Allows counties to adopt ordinances that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices that do not conflict with and are more stringent than the state law that governs smoking.

Maddy summarySB 594 changes the law to make it easier to prosecute crimes against seniors by removing the requirement that a perpetrator must know or reasonably should know the victim is 60 years or older. This bill directly affects seniors who are victims of crimes, as it shifts the legal standard for certain offenses. The key provision eliminates the need for prosecutors to prove the offender was aware of the victim's age, making it a stricter standard for crimes committed against seniors. The bill is currently pending in committee, with a hearing scheduled for January 2026. (3 sentences)

Extends the period during which a surety, surety insurer, or bail agent may file a motion or application to set aside the bond or recognizance forfeiture from thirty days to ninety days. Ensures that proper notice of a bail forfeiture judgment is provided to a surety or bail agent. Affirms that a judge may impose financial conditions of release and maintain full discretion to consider individual circumstances. Allows a surety or bail agent to apply to set aside a forfeiture, even if a prior motion has been filed. Subjects bail bond forfeiture proceedings to Rule 60 of the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure. Prohibits forfeiture from being ordered in any felony case.

Requires the Director of Finance to consider, before the selection of a depository for the state treasury, the beneficial effects to the State of using depositories within the State, including but not limited to lending at favorable terms for the creation of certain affordable housing units. Effective 7/1/2050.

Establishes the Pomaikai Hawaii Fund, a state-owned sovereign wealth fund, into which certain portions of the transient accommodations tax revenues, moneys from general fund balance surpluses, moneys from civil action settlements where the State is a party, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of public lands shall be deposited. Establishes a Board of Directors to manage and invest the moneys in the Fund and distribute the earnings to qualified residents of the State beginning calendar year 2030. Requires the Board to adopt rules. Requires the Director of Finance to provide guidance to the Board on the establishment and administration of the Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Authorizes manufacturers of investigational drugs or biological products that are pending approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration to make the drugs or products available to terminally ill patients under certain conditions.