Sen. Lynn DeCoite

Requires the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free bus passes for students whose household qualifies the student for free lunch or reduced price lunch under the free and reduced price lunch program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to send notices regarding unfiled, substantially defective, and substantially deficient reports by certified mail. Requires the Commission to specify in substantial defect and deficient report notices the nature of any substantial defect or deficiency. Allows recipients of substantial defect and deficient report notices to correct their reports up to 10 business days after the receipt of the notices. Defines the terms "substantially defective" and "substantially deficient".

Requires the Department of Education to establish a School Bus Driver Recruitment Grant Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Recruitment Special Fund. Establishes a Repayment Signing Bonus Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Outreach and Pathway Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 2388 allows public employers (like state or local government agencies) and employee unions representing bargaining units to negotiate specific retirement benefits. It directly affects public employees covered by collective bargaining agreements and their employers. The bill creates a formal process for these parties to discuss and agree on certain retirement terms, such as pension contributions or benefit structures. Currently pending in committee review, the bill has not yet been enacted into law.

Establishes the Farming Grant Program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to provide grants to small and midsized farmers. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes the Hawaii Employer-led Sector Partnerships Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to support employer‑led, demand-driven sector partnerships in the State. Appropriates funds.

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.

Adds the penalty of vehicle impoundment to violations of reckless driving and for failure to present a valid driver's license, motor vehicle or liability insurance identification card, or certificate of registration.

Authorizes the Superintendent of Education to appoint and set the salaries of certain positions within the Office of Facilities and Operations. Sunsets 6/30/2031.

Prohibits residing on agricultural park lots unless within a farm dwelling permitted by the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct inspections of agricultural park lots for unpermitted farm dwellings during fiscal year 2026-2027.