Sen. Tim Richards

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Specifies that sports wagering shall not be considered games of chance or gambling. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Clarifies that projects seeking exemptions from planning and development laws and rules may be modified by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation under certain conditions. Authorizes HHFDC to make recommendations to appropriate Legislative bodies. Requires HHFDC or a county to accept an application seeking certain exemptions within thirty days, and to process the application within one hundred twenty days before final approval by a county legislative body for certain housing projects. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Allows animal control officers, law enforcement officers, and firefighters to enter an unattended vehicle to protect the health, safety, or well-being of a pet animal that is endangered by being left or confined in an unattended vehicle. Allows private citizens to retrieve a pet animal that has been left in an unattended vehicle, under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Authorizes each county that has established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015 to extend the surcharge until 12/31/2045, at the same rates, if the county does so before 1/1/2028. Provides that no county surcharge on state tax authorized for a county that has not established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015, shall be levied before 1/1/2019, or after 12/31/2045. Repeals certain conditions on the use of surcharges for housing infrastructure costs. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Directs the Hawaii State Energy Office, in conjunction with the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of an atmospheric carbon capture plant in the State. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Maddy summarySB 569 allocates state funds to operate an additional ambulance on the island of Hawaii, specifically based in Makalei. This bill directly affects residents of the island of Hawaii who rely on emergency medical services in that area. The key provision is a specific funding appropriation for ambulance operations, not a change in health policy or regulations. It is a straightforward funding measure to improve emergency response capacity in Makalei.

Makes the Agribusiness Development Corporation responsible for the maintenance of the Kohala Ditch. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Beginning 7/1/2027, allows chiropractic students enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a qualified licensed chiropractor. Requires the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summarySB 500 sets clear labeling and advertising rules for coffee grown and processed entirely within the state, directly affecting local coffee producers and businesses selling such products. It defines "regional origin" to specify where coffee beans are sourced and processed, ensuring consumers receive accurate geographic information on labels. The bill requires producers to meet these new labeling standards for coffee sold in the state, replacing vague or inconsistent current practices. This change aims to provide transparency for shoppers about the origin of their coffee while standardizing requirements for in-state producers.

Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Program within the Department of Agriculture to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)