Requires the Public Utilities Commission to consider whether approving a proposed merger or acquisition would or would not further the State's renewable energy goals. Prohibits the acquiring entity of an electric utility company from terminating or attempting to renegotiate any existing and valid power purchase agreements and requires the acquiring entity to assume and be bound by existing collective bargaining agreements and retain all covered employees. Establishes a process to ensure that when an electric utility is subject to an application for a proposed acquisition, merger, or consolidation by a potential acquiring entity that is an investor-owned utility and seeks approval of the application from the Public Utilities Commission, the electric utility shall demonstrate that it solicited bids from potential acquiring entities that operate under a non-investor-owned utility ownership model. Requires the electric utility to submit acceptable bids from a potential acquiring entity operating under a non-investor-owned utility ownership model concurrently with an application by a potential acquiring entity that is an investor-owned utility and the Public Utilities Commission to review those applications concurrently. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Sponsored bills
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and conduct a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Program. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report to the Legislature and adopt administrative rules. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires a landowner in possession of ten thousand or more acres in the State to be liable for damages and fines arising from runoff originating on the land and entering into state waters. Requires the Department of Health to prioritize enforcement of water pollution control regulations in rural areas where there are existing reports of runoff and other terms of water pollution. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Beginning 1/1/2026, requires all health insurers in the State, excluding Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 70) urges the Real Estate Commission to use its existing authority to administer the full real estate salesperson exam in Japanese, but only for licenses limited to selling timeshare products in Hawaii. It directly affects the Commission (as the body that can implement this) and Japanese-speaking applicants seeking to sell timeshares to Japanese visitors. The key mechanism is leveraging the Commission's current power under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 467 to offer the exam in Japanese, similar to how driver's license exams are provided in multiple languages. The resolution aims to increase timeshare sales to Japanese-speaking tourists by making licensing more accessible, thereby supporting Hawaii's tourism industry. This is a non-binding request, not a new law, and does not change licensing requirements for other real estate sales.
Establishes a working group within the Office of the Governor for administrative purposes to ascertain the State's available water resources and water system source capacity and to streamline well permit approval processes to further plan for the development of affordable housing. Requires the working group to inventory all available water resources statewide and identify sources of aquifer replenishment in relation to affordable housing development. Requires an interim and final report to the Legislature. (SD2)
Maddy summarySCR 87 is a legislative resolution urging Hawaii's Real Estate Commission to use its existing authority under state law to administer the real estate salesperson exam in Japanese. This would allow Japanese-speaking applicants to obtain licenses specifically for selling timeshare products to Japanese visitors in Hawaii. The resolution aims to increase timeshare sales to Japanese tourists and support Hawaii's tourism industry, referencing existing multilingual exam practices like driver's license tests. It does not create new law but recommends the Commission exercise its current powers to facilitate this change.
Maddy summarySB 1620 exempts natural hair braiders from state licensing requirements under specific conditions. This bill directly affects individuals who braid hair using natural textures, such as cornrows or braids, by removing a barrier to practicing their trade without a license. The key provision is a targeted exemption from licensing rules, though the exact conditions for exemption aren't detailed in the provided context. The bill passed committee recommendation on February 7, 2025, with no opposing votes. It focuses on simplifying regulatory requirements for this specific service.
Authorizes the Governor to enter into a Cosmetology Licensure Compact on behalf of the State to provide a streamlined process that allows cosmetologists to obtain a multistate license enabling them to practice cosmetology in another state without obtaining a separate license under the laws of that state. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact. Authorizes the Governor to enter into the Compact. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)