Sen. Ron Kouchi

Increases the expenditure limit and the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all elective offices. Adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying contributions certain candidates must receive to participate in the program. Increases the matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions. Appropriates funds for the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Expands the allowable uses of Hawaii Technology Development Corporation grant funds to include providing grants to any business that applies for a federal research and development grant or receives a federal research and development award or contract that requires non-federal funding match, with certain exceptions. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Amends the offense of promoting a controlled substance in, on, or near schools, school vehicles, public parks, or public housing projects or complexes to include homeless facilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to establish appropriate salaries for the investment officers and investment analysts of the Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the School Facilities Authority to consult with the Department of Education and other impacted departments or agencies before the conveyance of ownership rights or lease of lands to the School Facilities Authority. Repeals the requirement that the Department of Education transfer title to lands it holds upon request of the School Facilities Authority. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Establishes the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of accessible geothermal heat and carbon sequestration resources through the use of slim-hole bores and requires a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Provides an exemption to dispositions of lands set aside for filming and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Repeals 6/30/2030 if Hawaii Film Studio has not changed locations as of that date. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 2499 proposes changes to how vacancies for state senators and party candidates are filled. It would amend current procedures for addressing these vacancies, affecting political parties and the state legislature. The bill specifically targets the process used to select replacements when a state senator or party candidate vacancy occurs. As introduced, the bill has passed its first reading but remains in early committee consideration with no enacted changes yet.

Maddy summarySB 3134 updates Hawaii's emergency medical services (EMS) laws to align with current best practices and standards. It directly affects EMS providers, ambulance services, and emergency care systems across the state by modernizing outdated regulatory requirements. The bill focuses on revising statutes to reflect contemporary emergency medical care protocols without specifying new funding or personnel mandates. Currently pending a public hearing before the Health and Human Services committee on February 6, 2026.

Amends Act 213, SLH 2024, by repealing its sunset date and requiring the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit a one-time report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2031. Requires the Department of the Attorney General, in consultation with the Criminal Justice Research Institute, to submit ongoing annual reports to the Legislature. (SD2)