Adds state contractor's performance assessment to information required to be included in the past performance database maintained by the State Procurement Office. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)
Exempts from the electronic procurement system the Department of Education's purchase of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed, agricultural, or food products not exceeding a certain amount, subject to certain requirements. Requires the Department of Education to establish guidelines for determining a geographic preference for locally sourced products. Exempts the Department of Education from the requirement that certain agricultural products are subject to the Hawaii Public Procurement Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summarySB 1211 proposes creating a state-run breast milk bank operated by the Department of Health to provide donated human milk to infants in medical need. The bill establishes a dedicated "breast milk bank special fund" and allocates state funding to support its operation. This would directly affect hospitals, healthcare providers, and vulnerable infants requiring donor milk, particularly in neonatal intensive care settings. The bill is currently pending in committee review, having been deferred by the Health and Human Services committee in January 2025.
Establishes the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Program, which shall be established in and administered by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to ensure that residents in high-risk areas can purchase affordable and comprehensive property insurance coverage for their residential properties. Authorizes the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to issue revenue bonds in amounts authorized by the Legislature, in which case the Premium Stabilization Fund shall be established by the Director. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires each public school in the State, including charter schools, to employ, or retain under contract, at least 1 mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Education to contract for mental health professionals and to establish an unspecified number of fulltime equivalent mental health professional positions within the Department of Education. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.
Maddy summarySB 1539 appropriates funds to offset debt for the Waiahole Water System, a critical water infrastructure project serving agricultural areas on Oahu. The bill directly affects the Waiahole Water System by providing financial support to address its outstanding debt obligations. Key provisions include allocating state funds for this specific purpose, with the measure becoming effective on July 1, 2050. This is a funding bill focused on infrastructure debt relief, not a new policy or regulation.
Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD1)
Prohibits health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations from arbitrarily denying coverage requests for gender affirming health care services when the requested service is known to be considered a standard of care and for which scientific evidence exists that supports the service. Increases transparency of insurance carrier medical necessity reviews and requirements when coverage is denied.
Establishes a Plant-Based Building Materials Working Group to study how best to grow plants, develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii, and provide economic development and green jobs while sequestering greenhouse gases to help achieve the State's climate target. Requires a report to the legislature.
Clarifies who may serve as a qualified examiner in a fitness-to-proceed examination. Clarifies the term of commitment for a defendant being held at a hospital or mental health facility for a fitness-to-proceed examination. Reduces the number of qualified examiners required for a fitness-to-proceed examination in a felony case from 3 to 1. Establishes a reduced penalty, except in certain circumstances, for a person who commits the offense of escape in the second degree while in the custody of the Director of Health. Sunsets the amendments related to fitness-to-proceed examinations on 12/31/26. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
