Sen. Kurt Fevella

Establishes a two-year Fruit Tree Harvest Pilot Program. Requires state agencies, to the extent practicable, to plant fruit trees in new or renovated landscaping that includes trees within the boundaries of the program. Authorizes persons to harvest fruit from those fruit trees. Provides that the State is not liable for any injuries or illnesses resulting from the harvesting or ingesting of fruit, including food-borne illness. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Requires that each Department of Education public school student earn 2 credits in Hawaiian language for a high school diploma. Establishes a 2-year pilot program for Hawaiian language instruction at Noelani Elementary School and Nanakuli High and Intermediate School. Appropriates moneys.

Maddy summarySB 202 requires electric utilities to pay customer-generators (like homeowners with solar panels) for excess electricity they send back to the grid, replacing previous credit systems. This directly affects residential and commercial customers who generate their own renewable energy. The bill mandates that utilities compensate these customers for surplus power at a specific rate, ensuring fair payment for contributions to the grid. It passed committee with amendments in February 2025 and aims to support distributed renewable energy adoption.

Appropriate funds into and out of the Hawaii Historic Preservation Special Fund for the State Historic Preservation Division to inventory historic properties and burial sites in the State, collect data on burial site locations, and conduct an archaeological survey necessary to compile the inventory. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings for certain persons. Requires coverage for all colorectal cancer screenings in the State to be consistent with the Affordable Care Act Implementation Frequently Asked Questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury.

Defines "low alcohol by volume spirits beverage". Establishes a tax on low alcohol by volume spirits beverages at a rate of $0.85 per wine gallon. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Provides that after 12/31/2025, each new or renewed contract between a mutual benefit society and a physician for a fee for service plan shall provide for: (1) The reimbursement of the physician's increased overhead costs, cost of living increases, and increased costs caused by inflation; and (2) An increase of 10% in the reimbursement rate of services after each 5-year period that the physician is in service.

Clarifies that the Hawaii Labor Relations Board has the authority to enforce its own orders issued pursuant to state law governing collective bargaining in public employment, in addition to discretion to seek judicial enforcement of its orders under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Increases the mandatory minimum jail sentence for a first conviction of knowingly or intentionally violating a temporary restraining order from forty-eight to seventy-two hours. Requires mandatory mental health counseling for a first conviction of knowingly or intentionally violating a temporary restraining order.

Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to improve Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program rates, including establishing additional positions.