Sen. Mike Gabbard

Primary SB 605

In committee · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department of Education to include the teaching of financial literacy in kindergarten through grade twelve. Requires students in grades nine through twelve to complete a one-half credit in financial literacy before graduation. Requires the Board of Education to provide professional development to teachers who are teaching financial literacy courses.

EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum K-12, requires teacher PD, and strengthens educational content standards.95% confidence

In committee Jan 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 687

In committee · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor

RELATING TO ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS.

Prohibits the sale, offer, possession with intent to sell, display, distribution, or trade of fur products in the State, with certain exceptions. Establishes civil penalties for violations. Effective 6/30/2025.

In committee Jan 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 611

In committee · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Prohibits the sale, importation, personal use, and commercial use of all fireworks, except consumer fireworks. Removes permitting requirements for consumer fireworks.

In committee Jan 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 790

In committee · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor

RELATING TO SCHOOLS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a food waste composting pilot project at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School. Appropriates moneys.

EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for a school-specific composting pilot project, directly supporting school infrastructure and sustainability initiatives at Nanakuli High.90% confidence

In committee Jan 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 607

In committee · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor

RELATING TO DISABLED VETERANS.

Exempts disabled veterans from the State's vehicle weight tax and repeals the exemption for disabled veterans from the State's annual vehicle registration fee.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepealing the registration fee exemption increases state revenue, directly supporting budget management through enhanced tax collection.85% confidence VeteransOpposes VeteransBill repeals disabled veterans' exemption from annual vehicle registration fee, removing a benefit and weakening veterans' financial protections.90% confidence

In committee Jan 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 872

In committee · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Allows newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs.

EducationSupports EducationExtends workers' comp coverage to students in DOE work-based learning programs, enhancing safety and participation in educational opportunities for recent graduates.92% confidence Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends workers' compensation coverage to high school graduates in work-based programs, protecting them from workplace injury without cost.95% confidence

In committee Jan 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 701

In committee · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to implement SolarAPP+ or a functionally equivalent online automated permitting platform that verifies code compliance and issues permits to licensed contractors for solar distributed energy resource systems in real-time by 1/1/2026. Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits in areas served by an investor-owned electric utility to adopt a self-certification process for solar distributed energy resource systems that are not SolarAPP+ compatible.

EnergySupports EnergyMandates real-time solar permitting to accelerate renewable energy deployment, directly advancing solar infrastructure adoption.95% confidence EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires streamlined solar permitting to accelerate renewable energy adoption, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting climate goals.95% confidence

In committee Jan 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 575

In committee · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract its review of proposed state projects, projects on privately owned historic property, and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants if the Department is unable to complete its review within sixty days.

In committee Jan 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 670

In committee · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor

RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

Prohibits lodging establishments in the State from providing personal care products packaged in small plastic containers in any sleeping room accommodations, space within sleeping room accommodations, and bathrooms used by the public or guests. Establishes civil penalties.

EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits single-use plastics in lodging, reducing plastic pollution and waste, directly advancing environmental protection goals.90% confidence

In committee Jan 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 623

In committee · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor

RELATING TO THE STATE COUNCIL ON MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the State Council on Mental Health to include an unspecified number of members with demonstrated knowledge of or work experience involving native Hawaiian health practices. Requires council members to receive annual training on topics related to native Hawaiian healing and health.

HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health council to include Native Hawaiian health experts and mandate cultural training, enhancing culturally competent mental health services.90% confidence

In committee Jan 23, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track