Requires the Director of Taxation to appoint a legal, tax, or accounting professional as an Administrative Rules Officer. Authorizes the Administrative Rules Officer to appoint individuals with suitable experience as Administrative Rules Specialists.
Includes weekends and holidays as times where a reasonable warning or request to leave school premises is not required for a person to commit the offense of criminal trespass in the first degree. (SD1)
Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to develop an alternative pathway for a visiting international educator permit aligned to the duration of the educator's J-1 visa program. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Establishes an Industrial Hemp Program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity that includes education and support for non-cannabinoid industrial hemp cultivation and use. Establishes the Industrial Hemp Program Advisory Board to develop a strategic plan to establish and expand the processing infrastructure and commercialization of industrial hemp. Requires the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to support research and development focused on local adaptation, sustainability, and economic development goals. Requires DAB to promote partnerships with Native Hawaiian practitioners, cooperatives, and aina-based programs. Adopts state building codes for hemp-based materials, including hempcrete. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Establishes a three-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program to be administered by the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to subsidize the cost of certain health insurance deductibles for eligible individuals. Authorizes the Department to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program; provided that the Department shall allow the operator to access state-backed reinsurance or risk stabilization support for the operation of the Pilot Program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Maddy summarySB 2952 requires certain insurance companies to notify policyholders at least 60 days before implementing any change to their insurance premiums, starting January 1, 2027. This applies directly to policyholders whose insurance rates are adjusted, giving them advance notice of increases or decreases. The key provision mandates that insurers provide this written notice 60 days prior to the effective date of the rate change. The bill does not alter premium amounts but ensures policyholders have sufficient time to review or plan for upcoming changes.
Maddy summarySB 2161 authorizes rodeos and rodeo activities on lands zoned for agricultural use. It specifically defines the term "rodeo and rodeo activities" to clarify what is permitted under this provision. The bill directly affects ranchers, event organizers, and landowners using agricultural-zoned properties for rodeo events. Currently, the bill is under review by the WLA committee, with a public hearing scheduled for February 4, 2026.
Prohibits the sale of geolocation information and internet browser information without consent. Prohibits the sale of data collected through eavesdropping or through an application operating in the background of a device that uses the device's microphone. Establishes exemptions for lawful investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies, customer proprietary network information, and certain telecommunication carriers. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)
Clarifies that cooperative associations organized under chapter 421C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, may include multi-stakeholder cooperatives, producer cooperatives, workers cooperatives, and consumer cooperatives. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)
Maddy summarySB 585 authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to fund the construction of a biogas production facility by Bana Pacific Inc. The bill directly affects Bana Pacific Inc. by providing a financing mechanism for their facility, with bonds repaid through the facility's future revenue. Key provisions include enabling the company to borrow funds specifically for this project, backed by the facility's operational income rather than general tax revenue. This policy change creates a dedicated funding stream for the biogas facility without requiring taxpayer money.
