Sen. Brenton Awa

Increases the number of voter service centers in the State. Requiring all voter services centers to operate during the same days and hours statewide. Clarifies that during each day of operation, during all hours of operation, each voter service center is to provide in-person voter registration, receive absentee and election-by-mail ballots, allow voters to vote in person, and provide voting machine services for persons with disabilities. Appropriates moneys to the counties for the administrative costs of voter service centers.

Maddy summarySB 1643 lowers the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving under the influence of intoxicants, directly affecting drivers who operate vehicles while impaired. The bill reduces the current threshold (typically 0.08%) to a stricter level, making it easier for law enforcement to charge drivers at lower BAC levels. This change applies to all intoxicants, not just alcohol, and aims to strengthen DUI enforcement by adjusting the legal standard for impairment. The bill is currently in committee review after its initial introduction and first reading.

Repeals the authority for campaign funds to carry over to subsequent elections. Requires, at the latest, for campaign funds not expended to escheat to the State after a certain period. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to make reasonable efforts to return escheated funds to contributors with any remaining balance to fund partially publicly financed campaigns.

Proposes to amend the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to provide that if a United States census shows that the state Native Hawaiian population decreased by no less than 5% since the prior United States census, all state legislators in office at the time of the release of the latter census shall be ineligible to serve in any state legislative office for 1 term, which shall be the 1st term of the applicable legislative office that begins after the release of the latter census.

Repeals registration requirements relating to qualifying outofstate medical cannabis patients who are validly registered in other states, United States territories, or the District of Columbia. Repeals language requiring an initial inperson consultation before physicians and advanced practice registered nurses may make medical cannabis treatment recommendations via telehealth. Prohibits the Department of Health from imposing fees for patients' medical cannabis registration certificates.

Maddy summarySB 1594 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit state legislators in Hawaii to a maximum of 16 years of service in the Legislature. This would directly affect current and future members of the Hawaii House of Representatives and Senate. The bill would amend Article III, Section 4 of the state constitution to establish this term limit, requiring voter approval for implementation. If passed by the Legislature and approved by voters, it would change how long representatives can serve, but the bill is currently in early stages (introduced and passed first reading in January 2025).

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.

Specifies that the penalty for sex trafficking shall be payment of a fine of no less than $50,000 but no more than $100,000, and a definite term of imprisonment of up to 20 years without the possibility of a suspended sentence, probation, or parole. Provides that consent to sexual conduct is not a defense. Defines "sexual conduct". Provides that a minor who reports that the minor is a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability.

Maddy summarySB 1237 repeals existing state laws that restricted the installation and use of window tinting and other sun screening devices on motor vehicles. This bill directly affects vehicle owners and drivers who currently face legal limits on tint darkness or placement. The key provision removes these restrictions, allowing greater flexibility for window tinting without legal penalty. The bill was introduced on January 21, 2025, and passed its first reading on January 23, 2025, before being referred to committee.

Authorizes state legislators to use state-owned or stateoperated equipment for bona fide community initiatives within their respective electoral districts.