Adds new preferences for state and county employees to the eligibility criteria for housing development programs administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Clarifies the Corporation's authority to adopt rules and determine the order of applicant preferences.
Maddy summarySB 2513 exempts individuals who allege domestic abuse from being required to participate in mediation during paternity or divorce court proceedings. This directly affects victims of domestic violence who are involved in family court cases concerning child custody or marital dissolution. The bill removes mediation as a mandatory step for these parties, allowing courts to proceed without requiring them to engage in mediation sessions. The key provision ensures that alleged abuse victims can avoid potential safety risks or coercion during dispute resolution. The bill was introduced and passed its first reading in January 2026.
Repeals the sunset provision in Act 45, SLH 2024, related to the counties' authorization to develop, construct, finance, refinance, or otherwise provide mixed-use developments.
Authorizes each county that has established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015 to extend the surcharge until 12/31/2045 at the same rates if the county does so before 1/1/2028. Provides that no county surcharge on state tax authorized for a county that has not established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015, shall be levied before 1/1/2019 or after 12/31/2045. Repeals certain conditions on the use of surcharges received from the State for counties having a population equal to or less than 500,000 that adopt a county surcharge on state tax.
Maddy summarySB 2570 allocates extra funding for the state Judiciary to cover operations during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. It provides supplemental budget money specifically for court systems, judges, and related judicial services. This bill directly affects the Judiciary branch by ensuring continued funding for its core functions. The legislation is procedural, focusing solely on financial allocation without creating new policies or regulations.
Maddy summarySB 2535 prohibits the capture and sale of all aquatic life for commercial aquarium purposes, regardless of the collection method used. This bill directly affects commercial aquarium businesses, suppliers, and vendors that currently source wild-caught aquatic animals. The key provision bans both the taking of aquatic life from natural habitats and its subsequent sale in the commercial aquarium trade. The law would eliminate the legal ability to operate this specific segment of the aquarium industry within the jurisdiction.
Removes state of mind requirement pertaining to a victim's age for felony assaults aggravated by the victim's age. Raises the threshold age from 60 years of age or older to 65 years of age or older.
Maddy summarySB 2242 enacts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, authorizing the Governor to join this multi-state agreement. It directly affects licensed psychologists who wish to practice across state lines in participating jurisdictions. The key provision establishes standardized licensing rules and professional standards, allowing psychologists to provide services in other compact states without obtaining separate licenses. This reduces administrative barriers for practitioners and expands access to mental health services in participating states. The bill does not change existing state licensing laws but enables participation in the interstate compact.
Maddy summarySB 2252 changes how felony assaults involving elderly victims are prosecuted. Currently, prosecutors must prove the attacker knew the victim was elderly to charge the assault as aggravated. This bill removes that requirement, making it a felony assault simply because the victim is elderly, regardless of the attacker's knowledge. It directly affects elderly crime victims, prosecutors, and courts handling such cases. The bill is currently in committee referral after its first reading.
Maintains the petty misdemeanor offense of abuse of family or household member by repealing the sunset of amendments made to sections 709-906 and 853-4, HRS, by Act 19, SLH 2020. Repeals provisions authorizing a deferred acceptance of a guilty plea for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of family or household members offenses.
