Sen. Kurt Fevella

Maddy summarySB 391 establishes a working group to develop a management plan for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (used in devices like phones and electric vehicles), directly affecting battery recyclers, manufacturers, and waste management entities. The working group will create a report for the Legislature by January 2026, outlining strategies for safe collection, recycling, and disposal of these batteries. The bill does not impose new regulations but sets up a process to address growing battery waste challenges. It is currently pending committee review and has not yet become law. The effective date (1/1/2026) applies to the report submission, not the bill's implementation.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to provide health insurance through Medicaid's Children's Health Insurance Program to income-qualified children and pregnant persons regardless of their immigration status.

Exempts from the state general excise tax any grants received from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund by an eligible business pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Requires the Department of Taxation to notify all taxpayers eligible for refunds of any state general excise tax paid for grants received from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund of their eligibility and requires taxpayers to file refund claims no later than six months following notification. Requires any state general excise taxes paid by eligible businesses for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants to be refunded to the taxpayer. Effective 7/1/3000. Applies retroactively to 3/11/2021. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 1056 restricts annual rent increases for residential landlords by capping the maximum percentage increase allowed within a 12-month period and limiting how frequently rent can be raised. This bill directly affects residential tenants and landlords in the state by imposing these specific limits on rent hikes. Key provisions include setting a defined annual cap on rent increases and restricting the number of times a landlord may raise rent within a year. The bill is currently pending in the legislative process, having been carried over to the 2026 Regular Session.

Requires suppliers of water in the State to adjust the level of fluoride in its public water system in conformance with a standard published by the Board of Water Supply of each county until the issuance of a proclamation by the Governor declaring the date on which all residents of the State have either obtained or affirmatively rejected dental insurance coverage and provide a certified copy to the Revisor of Statutes. Requires the Department of Health to provide suppliers of water with technical assistance and training and submit annual status reports to the Legislature regarding the public water systems' status of compliance with the fluoride adjustment requirement. Allows the Department of Health to reimburse suppliers of water for necessary expenses incurred for compliance. Requires the Department of Health to monitor dental insurance coverage of the State's residents, submit annual status reports to the Legislature, and upon confirmation that all residents of the State have either obtained or affirmatively rejected dental insurance coverage, submit a written verification to the Governor. Requires the Governor to issue a proclamation. Appropriates funds.

Implements a 4-phase plan for the Department of Health to address contamination of Ulehawa Stream. Requires the University of Hawaii to provide assistance. Appropriates moneys.

Establishes the Hawaii Food Security Special Fund to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit levels to those provided in federal fiscal year 2023. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Requires the Department of Education to assign school resource officers or guards to serve at public elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs. Requires report to the Legislature. Requires the Department of Education to seek funding from federal grants. Appropriates funds.

Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Special Fund. Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Fee to support recruitment and retention of veterinarians in the State. Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program to support qualified veterinarians committed to or currently working in veterinary medicine in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 645 requires that any state public service position left unfilled for more than two years be automatically removed from the state budget. This directly affects state agencies and budget planners by mandating the elimination of vacant roles that exceed this timeframe. The key mechanism is a strict two-year vacancy threshold triggering automatic budget removal, without requiring additional legislative action. The bill focuses on budget efficiency by preventing long-term funding for positions that remain unfilled. It does not alter hiring processes or create new positions, only addressing budget allocation for existing vacancies.