Sen. Ron Kouchi

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (7) 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 7/1/2050. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. (SD1)

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Unit (4) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 280 amends the legal definition of "negligent injury in the first degree" to explicitly include injuries caused by drivers operating vehicles while intoxicated. This change directly affects drivers who cause injuries due to drunk driving, making them subject to this specific criminal charge. The key provision expands the scope of the offense to cover cases where intoxication was a factor in the negligence, rather than requiring separate drunk driving charges. The bill is currently pending a committee hearing scheduled for February 6, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 267 establishes one additional district court judgeship in the Third Circuit. This procedural bill directly affects the Third Circuit court system by creating a new judicial position, with no changes to laws or policies. The bill passed committee recommendation on January 28, 2025, with all five committee members voting in favor. It does not alter existing legal requirements or impact specific individuals or groups beyond the court's staffing structure.

Maddy summarySB 266 creates one additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit. This bill directly affects the First Circuit court system by adding a new judicial position to address potential caseload demands. The key provision is simply establishing this new judgeship, with no other policy changes or requirements described. The bill passed committee recommendation unanimously on January 28, 2025. This is a procedural measure focused solely on staffing the court, not on changing legal procedures or substantive law.

Amends section 11-364, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to provide that an excess contribution of more than $100 in cash, in the aggregate, from a single person during an election period to a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund if not returned to the contributor within 30 days.

Maddy summarySB 1313 would change the procedure for charging individuals with promoting child pornography by requiring prosecutors to file written documentation instead of making verbal accusations to initiate the offense. This bill directly affects prosecutors, who would need to submit formal written information to start legal proceedings, and defendants, who would face charges based on documented evidence. The key provision simplifies the initial filing step in the legal process for this specific offense. The bill is currently pending introduction and has not yet been debated or voted on.

Increases the rate of compensation and maximum allowable amounts per case for court-appointed counsel in criminal proceedings. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Increases the amount each juror or prospective juror is paid for each day of actual attendance at court. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Exempts the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from county user fees, in the amount of $100,000 aggregate per year, and ensures county services to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for Hawaiian Home Lands.