Sen. Angus McKelvey

Requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct a study on agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers. Appropriates funds for the one-year study on agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers. Establishes and funds two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions to collect agricultural data and conduct data analysis for public consumption. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes ratemaking regulations for insurers who base their rates on a policyholder or applicant's wildfire risk. Amends the definition of "prospective loss costs" to incorporate catastrophe modeling instead of historical aggregate losses. Prohibits insurers from basing certain insurance rates on past loss experience within or outside the State. Requires insurers to provide a list of items that may be covered under a homeowners insurance policy issued or renewed on or after 1/1/2026, as additional living expenses when a claim for additional living expenses is made. If a loss relating to a state of emergency occurs, requires coverage for additional living expenses for a period of not less than 24 months from the loss, subject to other policy provisions. Requires that coverage for additional living expenses not limit a policyholder's right to recovery if the insured home is made uninhabitable by a covered peril and allows an insurer to provide a reasonable alternative remedy that addresses the property condition that precludes reasonable habitation of the insured premises. Requires additional living expenses coverage for at least 2 weeks for certain losses incurred if a state of emergency is accompanied by an order of civil authority restricting access to the home. Beginning on 1/1/2026, requires each newly issued or renewed homeowners insurance policy that covers a property within the State to provide for the replacement cost value of the insured property. Amends the determination of over insurance under section 431:l0E-102, HRS.

Maddy summarySB 476 increases fines for specific fireworks violations, directly affecting individuals or businesses that break existing fireworks laws. The bill raises penalty amounts for offenses like unauthorized sale, possession, or use of prohibited fireworks. It does not change what activities are banned but makes penalties for violations stricter. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a Geothermal Resources Characterization Program under the direction of the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center at the University of Hawaii. Appropriates funds.

Restricts civil asset forfeiture to cases involving the commission of a felony offense where the property owner has been convicted of an underlying felony offense. Directs forfeiture proceeds to the general fund. Amends the allowable expenses for moneys in the Criminal Forfeiture Fund. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Amends the deadline for the Attorney General to report to the Legislature on the use of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Limits the transfer of certain forfeiture property to federal agencies. Establishes records requirements.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to expend the moneys from the State Parks Special Fund for programs aimed at environmental protection.

Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to identify all state-owned buildings that have the space and capability to establish a child care center on its premises and establish and administer child care centers within the identified state-owned buildings, and procure a child care provider licensed under State law as an operator of the child care centers. Beginning 1/1/2026, requires bids for state building construction and major state building renovation projects to include a designated area for a child care center. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Establishes a Universal Representation in Immigration Proceedings Program within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Office of Community Services to provide access to legal representation, under certain conditions. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Imposes an excise tax on certain hedge funds failing to dispose of excess single-family residences, escalating over a ten-year period. Imposes a tax on any newly acquired single-family residences by a hedge fund. Makes certain exemptions. Requires the Department of Taxation to establish a certification process to ensure buyers of homes sold by hedge funds are not major investors in residential real estate. Establishes the Housing Down Payment Trust Fund to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide grants to establish new or supplement existing programs that provide down payment assistance to families purchasing homes within the State. Allocates collected tax revenue and penalties paid by hedge funds to the Housing Down Payment Trust Fund. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.

Beginning 10/1/2025, requires mortuaries, cemeteries, and pre-need funeral authorities that contract to provide cremation services to provide written notice if precious metals are recovered after cremation and to obtain written consent before the sale or recycling of any recovered precious metals. Requires mortuaries, cemeteries, and pre-need funeral authorities that have contracted to provide cremation services to give certain notice of updated terms by 1/1/2026.