Sen. Tim Richards

Establishes a three-year pilot program in the County of Kauai and County of Hawaii to allow qualified psychologists under the supervision of a supervising physician or psychiatrist limited authority to prescribe certain psychotropic medications to patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years under the care of the psychologist. Requires the Board of Psychology to adopt rules. Requires the State Health Planning and Development Agency to report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Exempts Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation employees from the requirement that their employment actions and job descriptions be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Executive Director of HHFDC to be paid a salary recommended by its Board of Directors and subject to the approval of the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, not to exceed ninety-nine per cent of the salary of the Governor. Renames the position of Executive Assistant to Deputy Executive Director for HHFDC and increases the salary cap for the Deputy Executive Director. Establishes conditions for the issuance, renewal, and termination of employment contracts issued by the HHFDC, Hawaii Community Development Authority, and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Exempts the Executive Director of HCDA, and officers, agents, and employees appointed by the Executive Director, from the requirement that their employment actions and job descriptions be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Executive Director of HCDA to be paid a salary recommended by the Authority and subject to the approval of the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, not to exceed ninety-nine per cent of the salary of the Governor. (CD1)

Maddy summarySB 3234 appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to install all-way crosswalks at locations directly adjacent to school properties. This bill directly affects schools, students, and staff by funding physical safety infrastructure at school entrances and exits. The key provision requires the Department of Transportation to use allocated money for these specific crosswalk installations. The bill is currently under review by the TRS and WAM committees, with a public hearing scheduled for February 10, 2026.

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. (HD2)

Requires the Department of Education to establish a two-year Student-Authored Book Publication Pilot Program. Authorizes the Pilot Program to be conducted for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders at up to five Kalihi public elementary schools and up to five Nanakuli-Waianae public elementary schools to be integrated into existing curricula. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Requires homeowners insurance producers to notify policyholders that they may submit information regarding improvements made to the insured residential property, which shall then be submitted to the homeowners insurer. Requires homeowners insurers to reevaluate the replacement cost estimate based on the information submitted by a policyholder, and offer the policyholder the option to purchase additional coverage to cover the full amount of the replacement cost estimate. Establishes administrative penalties for violations. Effective 1/1/2027. (CD1)

Requires operators of AI companions in the State to issue certain disclosures to users. Requires operators to develop certain protocols to respond to user prompts regarding suicidal ideation or self-harm. Establishes protections for users and minor users of AI companions. Beginning 1/1/2028, requires operators to submit annual reports to the Behavioral Health Administration of the Department of Health containing certain information. Establishes that violations are to be considered unfair or deceptive acts or practices. (CD1)

Recognizes the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity established pursuant to Senate Resolution 94, Senate Draft 1, Regular Session of 2026, to protect and expand populations of endangered species and other wildlife in the State. (CD1)

Authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be used to provide any and all forms of financing for the development, pre‑development, construction, acquisition, preservation, and substantial rehabilitation of rental housing units. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to give preference to certain projects with perpetual affordability commitments, that are revenue neutral, and to applicants with a demonstrated history of early repayment to the RHRF. Authorizes HHFDC to use moneys in the RHRF that have been reserved or awarded by HHFDC for specific projects but have not yet been encumbered to fund other rental housing projects subject to certain conditions. Authorizes HHFDC to secure a line of credit or other instrument of indebtedness to provide liquidity for the RHRF under certain conditions. Repeals 6/30/2030. (CD1)

Extends the sunset date of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program pursuant to Act 92, SLH 2023, from June 30, 2028, to June 30, 2031. Requires any equity purchased by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation under the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program to be in a for-sale housing development project within a transit-oriented development zone. Authorizes HHFDC to spend up to $20,000,000 from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for the Equity Pilot Program established pursuant to Act 92, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023. (CD2)