Sen. Dru Kanuha

Establishes the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Research Center of Hawaii (Research Center) within the University of Hawaii. Requires the Research Center to be administratively affiliated with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). Requires JABSOM, the Research Center, University of Hawaii Center on Aging, and University of Hawaii at Manoa to identify opportunities to capitalize on collaboration between the parties and maximize operational efficiencies. Requires the Research Center to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a two-year Two-Lined Spittlebug Response Pilot Program to mitigate and control the spread of the two-lined spittlebug. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to use public-private partnerships for the development of public school facilities, including facilities at public charter schools. Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a pilot program to develop three new public schools in areas based on demonstrated need through public-private partnerships. Requires the approval of the Department of Education prior to the development of a public school for the pilot program on Department lands. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summarySB 2152 proposes a constitutional amendment to raise Hawaii's mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices from 70 to 75 years. This change would directly affect current and future state court judges, allowing them to serve until age 75 instead of retiring at 70. The bill would amend Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution to reflect this age increase. The measure is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee, which recently recommended passage with amendments.

Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Specifies that implementation is contingent upon and only to the extent approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain services provided by the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to make an annual report on the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals and on housing placement. Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to annually report to the Legislature on contracts and plans or proposals to enhance kauhale projects. Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to annually report to the Legislature on coordination between the office and any county, state, or federal agencies, or private or nonprofit organizations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study of the potential economic benefits and costs of sports tourism in the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires funds appropriated to the Hawaii Tourism Authority in the Supplemental Executive Budget to be expended by DBEDT for the study. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 2090 allows licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, expanding the pool of qualified professionals who can assess children's needs in custody cases. This change directly affects families involved in child custody disputes where mental health evaluations are required. The bill removes previous restrictions that limited this role to certain licensed professionals, enabling counselors with appropriate training to participate. It does not alter custody laws or standards but broadens who can conduct these evaluations. The measure passed a committee recommendation with four supporting votes in January 2026.