Sen. Mike Gabbard

Clarifies that the importation of any pest or material infested or infected with an insect or other animal, disease, or pest is prohibited. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administratively inspect any article imported or moved into the State from the continental United States or between the Hawaiian Islands. Prohibits the sale, barter, or donation of items or material that is a pest, is infested or infected with a pest, or prohibited from being sold. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to compel the quarantine, treatment, or destruction of certain materials. Clarifies penalties for various quarantine and import law violations, based in part on whether violations were knowingly committed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

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)

Establishes the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2026 and 2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 87) requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to study which energy sectors in Hawaii - electricity, transportation, or heating (industrial, commercial, residential) - could most quickly and cost-effectively eliminate fossil fuel use through public investment in clean, combustion-free alternatives like solar, wind, and electric infrastructure. It aims to guide state funding toward proven solutions that align with Hawaii’s 2045 climate goals, avoiding speculative or polluting technologies like biofuels. The study would evaluate existing technologies (e.g., electrifying vehicles, heat pumps, and grid upgrades) to prioritize where public resources would yield the fastest decarbonization results. As a procedural request, it does not enact policy but seeks data to inform future decisions.

Repeals language in the State's Code of Ethics that exempts the legislative and judicial branches from prohibitions against nepotism in public employment. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a Food and Product Innovation Network within the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Appropriates funds for the development of Food and Product Innovation Network facilities. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summarySB 371 would create two new criminal offenses for damaging critical infrastructure facilities, such as power plants or water treatment centers. It directly affects individuals who cause property damage to these facilities by defining "first degree" (more severe) and "second degree" (less severe) offenses. The bill establishes specific legal penalties for these acts, though the exact punishments aren't detailed in the abstract. The bill is currently pending introduction (as of January 14, 2025) and has no effective date listed beyond the unusual "7/1/3000" noted in the abstract.

Proposes to amend article XVII, section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution regarding the standard for ratification of a constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature, to require that a majority of all the votes tallied upon the question be a "yes" vote, and not include blank, spoiled, and over votes in determining whether a majority was reached. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySCR 91 is a resolution urging the Hawaii Legislature to amend self-defense laws to remove the duty to retreat for individuals on agricultural land. It would allow ranchers, farmers, and others working on their property to use force - including deadly force - without first retreating to defend themselves, livestock, or property, provided they are not the original aggressor and are not committing a crime. The resolution was prompted by the 2024 killing of rancher Cranston Duke Pia, who was fatally shot while protecting his cattle from intruders' dogs. This resolution does not change current law but recommends legislative action to strengthen protections for agricultural workers.