Sen. Ron Kouchi

Maddy summarySB 1510 exempts non-profit community-based organizations that provide transportation services from standard motor carrier regulations when operating under specific conditions. This directly affects groups like senior transportation programs, volunteer driver networks, or community shuttle services that currently face licensing and safety requirements. The bill's key provision removes these regulatory burdens for qualifying non-profits, allowing them to operate more flexibly without state motor carrier permits. The bill was introduced and passed its first reading on January 23, 2025, and is now referred to committee for further review.

Clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission under the Universal Service Program may provide, and may use funds from the Universal Service Fund to provide, free telecommunications access to certain individuals with a print disability.

Appropriates funds out of the State Highway Fund for deposit into the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund and apporitates funds out of the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund for fiscal year 2025-2026.

Maddy summarySB 1407 exempts housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) from school impact fees. These fees typically require new developments to contribute to school infrastructure costs. The bill directly affects DHHL housing projects and their residents by removing this financial obligation. It changes the existing fee requirement to specifically exclude DHHL-developed properties, streamlining their development process.

Increases the tax rates for cigarettes and little cigars beginning 1/1/2026, amends the disposition of tax revenues to certain non-general funds starting from fiscal year 2026-2027, with the excess carrying over to the general fund, and expands the tax disposition of tax revenues to the funds to include all tobacco product taxes. Repeals obsolete historical tax rates.

Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program to encourage single-family homeowners to retrofit their homes to resist damage by providing for grants to help offset the cost of retrofits. Appropriates funds.

Establishes an Oral Health Task Force to review the status of oral health in the State and make recommendations to improve the State's oral health infrastructure. Establishes one full-time equivalent program specialist V position. Appropriates funds.

Lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving while under the influence of alcohol from .08 to .05 or more grams of alcohol to reduce impaired driving and fatal crashes.

Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources the environmental stewardship fee program to collect a fee from visitors through an environmental stewardship license and allocate the revenue to protect, restore, and manage natural and cultural resources through grants to nonprofit organizations. Establishes the environmental stewardship fee special fund. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Commission to make recommendations to the Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the use of revenues in the special fund. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct rulemaking. Requires a report to the legislature, including an environmental stewardship fee strategic plan. Creates civil or administrative penalties to be imposed after July 1, 2030. Appropriates funds.

Creates a mixed-income rental housing subaccount under the Rental Housing Revolving Fund which shall make loans to mixed-income rental projects or units in a mixed-income rental project. Authorizes the transfer of moneys from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund Mixed-Income Subaccount.