Sen. Lynn DeCoite

Requires claims of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by first responders to be compensable under workers' compensation under certain conditions if the post-traumatic stress disorder resulted from the first responder acting within the course and scope of the first responder's employment. Defines "first responder." Exempts injuries caused by post-traumatic stress disorder from certain time limitations applicable to workers' compensation claims.

Appropriates funds to support educational training programs to expand the State's health care workforce. Allocates funds to the Department of Education for health care certificate programs and classroom renovations for health care training in public high schools. Allocates funds to the University of Hawaii for education programs that support certified nurse assistants in becoming licensed practical nurses.

Creates a presumption for workers' compensation purposes that diseases of the heart in firefighters and law enforcement officers were proximately caused by and resulted from the nature of the person's employment if certain conditions are met. Exempts injuries caused by disease of the heart from certain time limitations applicable to workers' compensation claims. Establishes a process for regular physical examinations of firefighters and law enforcement officers to reduce heart disease risks.

Maddy summarySB 377 would exempt medical services - including doctor visits, hospital care, and related health treatments - from the general excise tax, a tax currently applied to many services in the state. This change would directly affect patients receiving medical care (reducing their out-of-pocket costs) and healthcare providers (who would no longer collect or remit this tax on medical services). The key provision removes the tax requirement specifically for medical services, making them tax-free while leaving other services subject to the tax. The bill is currently pending committee review after introduction in January 2025.

Raises the minimum age requirement to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Removes the parental consent and written approval by the family court requirements for a minor to marry. Removes spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Makes conforming amendments.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's Research and Economic Analysis Division to conduct a comprehensive study to assess the impacts of minimum wage increases on small businesses and the overall economic health of the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Makes an appropriation.

Establishes the hike safe card program and search and rescue special fund to be administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Requires government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses when the person or entity knowingly enters state, county, or private property, knowingly enters a hiking trail that is closed to the public, or violates applicable laws, provided that the closure is posted by sign, barricade, or other device that gives reasonable notice of the closure. Exempts persons who possess a hike safe card from search and rescue cost reimbursement, under certain conditions. Requires counties and the State Fire Council to adopt ordinances or rules as necessary to pursue reimbursements. Raises the penalty for criminal trespass from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. Makes appropriations.

Maddy summarySB 219 clarifies that harbor use fees cannot be waived for vessels providing inter-island ferry service within Maui County. This directly affects ferry operators who would otherwise qualify for fee waivers under current policy. The bill's key provision explicitly states that inter-island ferry service is excluded from fee waiver eligibility, ensuring these operators pay standard harbor fees. The measure focuses solely on defining fee requirements for this specific service type.

Replaces the Hawaii Tourism Authority with the Corporation for the Stewardship of Hawaii Tourism, a nonprofit entity to guide Hawaii's visitor economy in collaboration with public, private, nonprofit, and community stakeholders in achieving beneficial outcomes from tourism based on the principles of destination stewardship and regenerative tourism.

Maddy summarySB 178 allocates state funds to the Department of Education to establish surfing as an official interscholastic sport in public schools. This would directly enable schools to develop and support surfing programs for students, including equipment, coaching, and competition structures. The bill provides concrete funding for schools to integrate surfing into their athletic offerings under existing interscholastic sports frameworks. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 2 sentences as requested.)