Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs.
Allows newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in work-based learning programs established and regulated by the Department of Education.
Decreases the size of the Island Burial Councils from nine to seven members. Removes the requirement for the councils to include members having development and large property owner interests. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summarySB 279 aligns the legal possession thresholds for fentanyl with those for methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, and cocaine. This means the amount of fentanyl that triggers criminal penalties will now match the established thresholds for these other serious drugs. The bill directly affects individuals possessing fentanyl, as it changes the point at which possession becomes a criminal offense under current law. This is a policy change to standardize penalties for fentanyl with other high-level controlled substances.
Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent. Allows partial or full repayment of Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund interim loans in the form of unit equity through the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Program.
Maddy summarySB 303 extends the deadline for repealing a specific public safety provision in Hawaii law. It changes the sunset date of Act 83 (2012) to delay the repeal of Hawaii Revised Statutes section 46-19.8 until June 29, 2025. This bill directly affects the legal status of that section, which relates to public safety regulations. The change is procedural, not substantive, as it only modifies the timing of an existing repeal without altering the underlying law.
Maddy summarySB 1436 is a procedural bill that repeals Section 328J-11.5 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), which relates to health. The bill does not establish new policies or directly affect specific groups, as it only removes an existing statutory provision. The context provided does not specify what Section 328J-11.5 covered or its impact, so the exact effect of the repeal cannot be described. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the 2026 session. Without additional details on the repealed section, a substantive policy summary cannot be provided.
Appropriates funds to the counties to increase access to emergency aeromedical services. Appropriates funds into and out of the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund to the Department of Health for the establishment and operating expenses for emergency aeromedical services. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
Repeals the general excise tax exemption for amounts received by independent sugar cane farmers. Repeals the general excise tax exemption for amounts received by a contractor of the Patient-Centered Community Care Program that is established by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to title 38 United States Code section 8153. Effective 1/1/2026. (SD1)
Maddy summarySB 1591 allocates state funds to Hawaii's Department of Health and Department of Agriculture to prevent, monitor, and respond to avian influenza outbreaks. The bill directly affects public health and agricultural sectors in Hawaii by providing resources for disease surveillance, rapid response efforts, and prevention measures. Key provisions include funding for testing, containment strategies, and coordination between health and agriculture agencies to protect both human and animal health. This represents a concrete policy change focused on strengthening Hawaii's preparedness for avian influenza threats.
