Sen. Angus McKelvey

Maddy summarySB 760 allows rodeos to be held on land zoned for agricultural use, which previously may have been restricted. It directly affects ranchers, event organizers, and landowners in agricultural areas who host or operate rodeos. The bill removes restrictions preventing rodeo events on such land, enabling these activities without needing special permits. This is a straightforward policy change to clarify land use rules for existing agricultural operations.

Maddy summarySB 949 establishes a working group in Hawaii to evaluate whether the state's Land Court system should be reformed or eliminated. The bill directly affects Hawaii's Land Court, which handles property disputes and title matters. The key mechanism is creating this group to develop recommendations for legislative action, though the bill itself does not change court procedures or eliminate the court immediately. The working group will operate under the Hawaii Legislature, with no direct policy changes enacted by the bill. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 3 sentences as specified.)

Maddy summarySB 1013 (Relating to the Earned Income Tax Credit) would allow low-income workers who claim a dependent child under 18 to receive an additional tax credit. The bill directly affects qualifying taxpayers filing state income tax returns with dependent children under 18, increasing their refundable credit amount. Key provision: it authorizes a specific additional credit amount for these taxpayers, supplementing the existing Earned Income Tax Credit. This change would provide more financial support to working families with young children in the state.

Establishes and appropriates funds for student transportation coordinators positions within the Department of Education to strengthen student transportation services across the State.

Authorizes the Hawaii State Energy Office to adopt certain federal regulations as they existed on 1/1/2025, that it deems to be in the public interest.

Maddy summarySB 979 increases the amount of alcohol that small craft beverage producers can manufacture under Class 18 "small craft producer pub" licenses. This change directly affects small breweries and pubs that hold this specific license type, allowing them to produce more alcohol without needing a different license. The bill modifies current manufacturing limits for these license holders, enabling them to expand production within their existing operational structure. It does not change licensing fees, require new permits, or impact larger commercial producers.

Prohibits civil asset forfeiture unless the covered offense is a felony for which the property owner has been convicted. Excludes the forfeiture proceedings for an animal pending criminal charges. Requires the Attorney General to deposit the net proceeds of the forfeited property to the credit of the state general fund.

Codifies net neutrality principles by prohibiting fixed and mobile internet service providers that provide broadband internet access service from engaging in certain practices concerning the treatment of internet traffic. Among other things, prohibits internet service providers from blocking internet traffic on the basis of internet content, application, or service, engaging in paid prioritization or zero-rating internet traffic in exchange for consideration, monetary or otherwise.

Requires and appropriates funds to pay salary differentials to English language educators as an incentive to attract and retain these educators. Appropriates funds.

Requires the design of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.