Sen. Mike Gabbard

Prohibits foreign entities from owning, leasing, or holding a controlling interest in more than an unspecified number of acres of agricultural land. Limits the lease term for agricultural land by foreign entities. Requires foreign entities that own or lease interest in agricultural lands to file an annual report with the Department of Agriculture. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summarySR 15 is a Senate Resolution requesting the State Health Planning and Development Agency and Department of Health to hold public meetings for all certificate of need applications involving proposed special treatment facilities (like mental health centers) in neighborhoods with community associations. Currently, smaller applications under administrative review skip public meetings unless requested, but this resolution seeks to require them for all such facilities in areas with community groups. It also asks the agencies to adopt rules requiring applicants to appear before neighborhood boards during the application process. This is a procedural request, not a new law, aimed at increasing community input into healthcare facility approvals.

Maddy summarySCR 27 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaii Auditor to audit the Department of Education's capital improvement project finances. It specifically asks for an examination of how the Department spends funds on school repairs and renovations since 2021, including project prioritization. The audit aims to assess fiscal accountability for the $2 billion in unspent capital funds as of January 2024. The Auditor must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by October 2025. This procedural resolution does not create new law but seeks greater transparency in how school facility funds are managed.

Authorizes periods of imprisonment for individuals with previous arson convictions. Authorizes additional penalties for arson crimes that endanger vulnerable areas. Requires restitution for victims of arson who experienced property damage. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Requires each purchasing agency to provide justification for hiring external consultants. Caps the amount each agency can spend on external consultants. Requires each agency to seek approval from the Legislature for consulting contracts exceeding a certain dollar amount. Requires each agency to disclose new contracts with external consultants. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Compliance Audit Unit to conduct regular audits of agency consultant contracts to assess cost-effectiveness and compliance. Requires each chief procurement officer to ensure that inherent government functions are not delegated to a contractor. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD2)

Requires the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summarySB 529 allocates state funds to the Department of Education for its Hoakea Program, which directly supports educational services for students. The bill establishes a specific funding mechanism to implement this program, with the funds becoming effective July 1, 2050. This legislation provides concrete financial resources to the Department of Education to carry out the Hoakea Program’s objectives.

Establishes within the Department of Health's Wastewater Branch a Cesspool Conversion Section, which shall be responsible for facilitating the conversion of cesspools within the State. Establishes and appropriates funds for positions within the Cesspool Conversion Section. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Prohibits the collection, sale, or disclosure of any driver data that is obtained by a motor vehicle or other connected car service, feature, or application to any third-party without the explicit consent of the owner or lessee of the vehicle. Designates exemptions. Requires any disclosure notification for any data collection to be clear and conspicuous. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 95 adds new fines for drivers and moped operators who operate vehicles without a current safety inspection certificate. It directly affects anyone operating a car, truck, or moped that hasn't passed the required safety check. The key provision creates an additional penalty on top of existing fines for this violation, increasing the financial consequence for skipping inspections. The bill focuses on strengthening enforcement of mandatory vehicle safety checks to improve road safety.