Sen. Mike Gabbard

Maddy summarySB 2496 appropriates state funds to the Executive Office on Early Learning to administer support for family-child interaction learning programs. It directly affects early childhood education providers and families participating in these programs by providing dedicated funding. The key mechanism is the allocation of specific budget resources to the Executive Office, which will distribute funds to eligible local programs focused on parent-child engagement. This bill does not change program requirements but ensures financial support for existing early learning initiatives.

Maddy summarySB 2406 clarifies labeling and advertising rules for coffee grown and processed entirely within the state, directly affecting local coffee producers and sellers. The bill defines "regional origin" to establish clear standards for claiming a coffee's specific geographic source. This creates a concrete requirement that labels must accurately reflect where the coffee was both grown and processed. The legislation aims to prevent misleading claims about coffee's origin while providing clear guidance for businesses operating under state regulations.

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives of the University and the State. Requires six per cent of the revenue generated by any increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax rates beginning on January 1, 2026, and by assessment of the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares to be allocated to the University of Hawaii annually to support the programs and operations of the Hawaii Climate Institute. Transfers the International Pacific Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology to the Hawaii Climate Institute. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 2476 creates a mattress stewardship program requiring manufacturers and retailers to manage the recycling of used mattresses. It establishes a special fund to cover recycling costs, funded by the industry rather than taxpayers. The bill directly affects mattress producers and sellers by making them responsible for end-of-life mattress collection and recycling. Key provisions include setting up the program structure and the dedicated fund, aiming to reduce landfill waste from mattresses.

Maddy summarySB 2474 repeals the current deposit beverage container program and replaces it with a new Recycling Refund Producer Responsibility Organization Program. Under this bill, beverage producers (like soda and water companies) would become directly responsible for funding and managing the recycling system, including refund programs for containers. This change shifts the financial and operational burden from consumers and retailers to the beverage manufacturers themselves, while maintaining a refund system for consumers who return containers.

Requires the Department of Human Services to record any child welfare interview conducted by the Department when administering certain child welfare services. Requires the Department to store the recordings for a minimum of five years and under certain conditions. Prohibits the sharing of the recordings unless certain conditions are met. Establishes criminal penalties for violating prohibitions against sharing of the recordings.

Establishes a joint legislative Long-Term Care Financing Advisory Commission to examine the feasibility of different financing options for long-term care services and supports. Permits the Commission, through the Legislative Reference Bureau, to contract for services of a part-time project director and prepare proposals for contracts for consultants to support the work of the Commission. Requires the Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Allows for a prosecution for any offense or attempt of any offense under parts V and VI of chapter 707, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to be brought at any time. Prohibits the dismissal of the prosecution of any offense or attempt of any offense under parts V and VI of chapter 707, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because a period of time has elapsed between the commission of the offense and commencement or continuation of the prosecution.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience for the development of its human and community resilience institute.

Increases the number of enterprise zones that may be nominated by each county. Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" to include recycling facilities and film production.