Sen. Ron Kouchi

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a 25-year non-exclusive easement for shoreline protection on state submerged lands at Kikiaola, Kekaha, Kauai. It converts temporary emergency permits held by property owners Graham and Marisa Chelius into a permanent legal right to maintain their existing shoreline structure, covering 2,366 square feet of submerged land. The easement requires the owners to pay fair market value for the land use and ensures compliance with Hawaii law (Chapter 171) governing state land transactions. This change replaces prior temporary authorizations with a formal, long-term arrangement for the structure’s repair and maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a 25-year, non-exclusive easement for HTH DR Ventures, LLC to construct and maintain concrete steps on state submerged lands at Waikiki, replacing steps removed in 2021. The easement covers approximately 26.5 square feet of submerged land seaward of property at Tax Map Key (1) 3-1-039:065 and requires the company to pay fair market value for the easement. The resolution follows prior approvals from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, and fulfills a statutory requirement under Hawaii Revised Statutes §171-53(c) for legislative authorization before leasing state submerged lands.

Requires utilization review entities to submit data relating to the prior authorization of health care services to the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Establishes the Health Care Appropriateness and Necessity Working Group within the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Allows the Commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, which is currently Major General. Provides the Adjutant General with the flexibility to assign either the Chief of Staff or the Assistant Adjutant General to lead the Hawaii Air National Guard. Authorizes the pay and allowances for the Chief of Staff of the Hawaii Air National Guard to be determined according to the pay tables of the Regular Air Force of the United States. (SD1)

Updates the name of the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program established by Act 253, SLH 2023, by replacing the term "visually impaired" with the term "low vision" and clarifies the pilot program's implementation timeframes. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Clarifies that nonresidents who claim the refundable earned income tax credit are required to adjust the amount claimed using the ratio of their Hawaii adjusted gross income to federal adjusted gross income. Eliminates the unlimited carryforward on nonrefundable earned income tax credits for tax year 2022.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, (1) repeals the maximum tax rate that may be considered in determining the amount of income tax that must be withheld and the requirement that a standard deduction allowance be treated as if it was denominated as a withholding exemption, and (2) for the purpose of income tax withholding, permits the Director of Taxation to prescribe a standard deduction allowance in an amount more or less than one whole exemption.

Amends or repeals various provisions of the Hawaii Revised Statutes or the Session Laws of Hawaii for the purposes of correcting errors and references, clarifying language, or deleting obsolete or unnecessary provisions. (SD1)

Repeals the requirement for the Department of Health to approve a health care provider's arrangement for the retention and preservation of patients' medical records before the provider ceases operations. Clarifies that retention and preservation of medical records must be consistent with federal and state regulations and requires providers to notify patients on how to access or request copies of their medical records. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summarySCR 7 authorizes a 25-year non-exclusive easement for Western Community Crossroads, LC, to use, repair, and maintain an existing rock revetment with stairs on state submerged lands at Laie, Koolauloa, Oahu. The easement covers 710 square feet of land seaward of the property at Tax Map Key (1) 5-5-002:032, resolving a historic encroachment that predates current shoreline regulations. The property owner must pay the state’s fair market value for the easement (determined by an independent appraisal) and cover $66 monthly rent during the approval process, with the Board of Land and Natural Resources already approving the terms. This procedural resolution formalizes an existing structure’s legal use under Hawaii law.