Sen. Ron Kouchi

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 2308 increases the contract value threshold requiring vendors to provide proof of compliance from $2,500 to $6,000. This change directly affects government agencies purchasing goods or services and the vendors supplying them, as it reduces the number of contracts needing compliance verification. The bill's key mechanism is simply raising the dollar amount trigger for this requirement. It does not alter compliance standards or create new obligations, only adjusting the financial threshold for when proof must be submitted. The bill is currently pending committee review.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (11) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Increases the penalty for promoting minor-produced sexual images to a felony if the person is more than 3 years older than the minor. Extends the probationary term for felony obscenity offenses. Tolls the statute of limitations for obscenity offenses during a victim's minority. Requires sex offender registration for felony obscenity offenses involving minors. (SD1)

Authorizes the Agricultural Loan Division of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to sell portions of its loan portfolio to permitted third parties, with proceeds to be deposited into the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds out of the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund to increase its expenditure ceiling and thereby expand access to agricultural loan financing and support local food production. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Adjusts the salaries of the Campaign Spending Commission's Executive Director and Associate Director to align with similar government officials who have compliance and enforcement responsibilities. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Exempts county elected officials, county candidates, and county candidate committees from the prohibition on receiving contributions from a lobbyist during a state legislative session.

Maddy summarySB 2503 allocates state funding to establish a gun buyback program, requiring at least two buyback events annually in every county. The bill directly affects gun owners who may participate in these events to exchange firearms for cash, while counties are responsible for hosting the events. It becomes effective on July 1, 2050, and was recently recommended for passage by the PSM committee with amendments. The legislation focuses on creating a structured, statewide program for firearm buybacks without specifying additional restrictions or eligibility criteria.

Provides an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services to replace general fund appropriations redirected to provide emergency food assistance during the 2025 federal government shutdown.

Makes an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2025–2026 to the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry.