Sen. Mike Gabbard

Maddy summarySB 2025 allows actively practicing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to claim exemption from serving on jury duty. This bill directly affects APRNs who are currently working in their specialty roles. The key provision removes the requirement for these nurses to fulfill jury service obligations, instead permitting them to formally request exemption. The change aims to address workforce needs by reducing scheduling conflicts for nurses providing critical healthcare services.

Requires government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses for persons who require rescue after leaving a hiking trail to enter an area closed to the public or hiking on a trail closed to the public, and there is a sign giving notice of the closure.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to contract with a third-party consultant to develop a Climate Protection Plan for delivery to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2029. Establishes a Climate Protection Advisory Committee to assist the third-party consultant. Appropriates funds.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale of flavored nicotine products and nicotine product flavor enhancers and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine free. Establishes penalties for violations. Authorizes the Department of Health to appoint, commission, or contract for services of inspectors. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires the payment of an Agricultural Land Conversion Fee by the buyer or lessee in a transaction for any agricultural land that will be converted from agricultural production for certain purposes. Establishes the Agricultural Land Conversion Fee Fund to, among other things, support the Health Soils Program. Requires all state lands used in the commercial production of agricultural commodities, including any lands under lease agreements with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, to use an established metric to advance the adoption of conservation practices.

Establishes the Farmland Transition Commission to examine barriers certain farmers face when trying to purchase or access farmland and provide recommendations on possible incentives or policies to assist these individuals in purchasing or accessing farmland. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Sunsets 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes an affirmative defense for a manufactured hemp product retailer that reasonably relies on a third-party age‑verification service to comply with existing age-based sale restrictions for manufactured hemp products.

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Gradually increases the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security tax rates and establishes a refundable carbon cashback tax credit to offset increases for most taxpayers. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 2318 establishes a formal Agricultural Statistics Program within state law and allocates funding for its operation. The bill directly affects agricultural stakeholders, including farmers, agribusinesses, and state agricultural agencies, by creating a dedicated system for collecting and analyzing farm data. Key provisions include codifying the program's structure in statute and providing dedicated funding to support data collection efforts. This bill does not change existing agricultural regulations but creates a new administrative framework for gathering sector-specific statistics.

Maddy summarySB 2093 requires the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee to hold at least one regular meeting each calendar quarter and appropriates funds to support these meetings. This bill directly affects the committee by mandating its quarterly activity and providing necessary funding. The legislation focuses on procedural requirements for the committee's operations, with no substantive policy changes beyond meeting schedules and funding allocation.