Sen. Mike Gabbard

Defines a "dog breeder" as any person who owns, possesses, controls, or otherwise has charge or custody of more than ten dogs over the age of twelve months with intact sexual organs, and who sells, barters, or otherwise transfers more than three litters and more than twenty-five dogs per calendar year. Requires dog breeders to meet minimum standards of care and not place certain types of dogs in the same enclosure to ensure the proper treatment and care of dogs and the dogs' offspring. Prohibits any person from owning or having custody of more than thirty dogs over one year with intact sexual organs. Requires dog breeders to maintain specific written records for each dog for a specified period. Authorizes each county to assess, implement, and enforce its own licensing system. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 1159 prohibits certain types of octopus farming (aquaculture) within the state. It directly affects businesses or operations engaged in raising octopus commercially. The bill's key provision is a clear ban on these specific aquaculture activities, without mentioning exemptions or implementation details. This represents a direct regulatory change to the state's aquaculture industry.

Prohibits the abortion of a fetus that is capable of feeling pain. Prohibits abortions by dismemberment. Provides certain exceptions. Establishes penalties.

Exempts Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products less than a certain amount from the electronic procurement system requirement. Requires at least three written quotes for Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products between certain amounts. Requires at least two written quotes for Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products between certain amounts for certain schools in rural communities. Sunsets 6/30/2028.

Exempts from the electronic procurement system the Department of Education's purchase of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed, agricultural, or food products not exceeding a certain amount, subject to certain requirements. Requires the Department of Education to establish guidelines for determining a geographic preference for locally sourced products. Exempts the Department of Education from the requirement that certain agricultural products are subject to the Hawaii Public Procurement Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires each public school in the State, including charter schools, to employ, or retain under contract, at least 1 mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Education to contract for mental health professionals and to establish an unspecified number of fulltime equivalent mental health professional positions within the Department of Education. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.

Maddy summarySB 1539 appropriates funds to offset debt for the Waiahole Water System, a critical water infrastructure project serving agricultural areas on Oahu. The bill directly affects the Waiahole Water System by providing financial support to address its outstanding debt obligations. Key provisions include allocating state funds for this specific purpose, with the measure becoming effective on July 1, 2050. This is a funding bill focused on infrastructure debt relief, not a new policy or regulation.

Establishes a Plant-Based Building Materials Working Group to study how best to grow plants, develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii, and provide economic development and green jobs while sequestering greenhouse gases to help achieve the State's climate target. Requires a report to the legislature.

Requires, beginning 7/1/2027, any carcinogenic food or product sold or distributed in the State to include a warning label, in a format determined by the Department of Health. Defines "carcinogenic" as a food, product, or chemical classified as group 1 or group 2A by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. Appropriates moneys.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agricultural Development Corporation for the purchase of an agricultural parcel for agricultural development. Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii Island Property Manager position within the ADC. Appropriates funds.