Sen. Kurt Fevella

Maddy summarySB 65 allocates state funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority specifically for rehabilitating, remodeling, renovating, and repairing public housing units. This directly affects low-income residents living in Hawaii's public housing by improving their living conditions through these repairs. The bill provides concrete funding for physical maintenance work, without changing eligibility rules or creating new housing programs.

Requires condominium associations to provide electronic copies of their governing documents, as amended or restated, to unit owners or their authorized agents, upon request, at no cost. Repeals the authority of condominium associations to charge a reasonable fee for administrative costs associated with the handling of a request for association documents. (CD1)

Amends the required contents of legislative reports to be submitted by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Amends the scope of moneys to be deposited into and the allowable uses of moneys expended from the Public Housing Special Fund. (CD1)

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, expands free school meal coverage to students who currently qualify for reduced-price lunch. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, expands free school meal coverage to students whose family income is not more than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Beginning 1/1/2026, amends the notice period for a property insurer to notify a policyholder of a cancellation, including cancellation due to nonpayment, or nonrenewal of a policy of property insurance. (CD1)

Increases the penalties imposed on individuals convicted for violations of temporary restraining orders and orders for protection. Clarifies that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine for violating a domestic abuse protective order if the court makes an on-the-record determination that the defendant is or will be unable to pay the fine. Specifies that any conviction for violation of a temporary restraining order issued under the same judicial case number as an order for protection shall be treated as a prior violation of an order for protection. Clarifies when the court may suspend certain jail sentences for violations of domestic abuse protective orders. (HD2)

Clarifies the definition of "covered employer" under the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act. Requires covered employers to automatically enroll covered employees into the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program unless the employee opts out. Repeals the limit on the total fees and expenses that can be spent for the Program each year. (CD1)

Requires the Attorney General, on behalf of the State, to defend professionally licensed or certified state employees from civil actions or proceedings, under certain circumstances. Clarifies that the employee may employ their own attorney at the employee's own expense. Establishes a process for the Attorney General to transfer or withdraw representation if the Attorney General declines to defend the employee. (CD1)

Provides that in any county with a population of less than 250,000, fee simple absolute title of a privately owned highway, road, alley, street, way, lane, bikeway, bridge, or trail is deemed transferred to adjacent property owners or the community association if certain conditions are met. Effective 7/1/2027. Sunsets 7/1/2032. (CD1)

Prohibits third-party restaurant reservation services from advertising, listing, promoting, facilitating, enabling, or selling restaurant reservations without first obtaining a written agreement from the applicable restaurant authorizing the action. Establishes a private cause of action for civil remedies. (CD1)