Sen. Stanley Chang

Establishes Braille literacy as a policy of the State. Requires literacy assessments for eligible low vision and blind students to include Braille instruction and the use of Braille. Authorizes the Department of Education to adopt administrative rules. Establishes the Braille Literacy Resource Center. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 202 requires electric utilities to pay customer-generators (like homeowners with solar panels) for excess electricity they send back to the grid, replacing previous credit systems. This directly affects residential and commercial customers who generate their own renewable energy. The bill mandates that utilities compensate these customers for surplus power at a specific rate, ensuring fair payment for contributions to the grid. It passed committee with amendments in February 2025 and aims to support distributed renewable energy adoption.

Appropriate funds into and out of the Hawaii Historic Preservation Special Fund for the State Historic Preservation Division to inventory historic properties and burial sites in the State, collect data on burial site locations, and conduct an archaeological survey necessary to compile the inventory. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings for certain persons. Requires coverage for all colorectal cancer screenings in the State to be consistent with the Affordable Care Act Implementation Frequently Asked Questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury.

Defines "low alcohol by volume spirits beverage". Establishes a tax on low alcohol by volume spirits beverages at a rate of $0.85 per wine gallon. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Allows tenants who prevail in a lawsuit for a violation of the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code to be awarded damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and costs of the suit.

Requires the Department Education, in coordination with the Department of Health, to develop a fireworks education and marketing program for implementation in public schools, including charter schools, and distribution to private schools.

Clarifies that the Hawaii Labor Relations Board has the authority to enforce its own orders issued pursuant to state law governing collective bargaining in public employment, in addition to discretion to seek judicial enforcement of its orders under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Increases the mandatory minimum jail sentence for a first conviction of knowingly or intentionally violating a temporary restraining order from forty-eight to seventy-two hours. Requires mandatory mental health counseling for a first conviction of knowingly or intentionally violating a temporary restraining order.

Maddy summarySB 753 modifies the qualifications and appointment process for members of the School Facilities Authority Board. It changes the requirements individuals must meet to serve on the board and alters how board members are selected or appointed. This bill directly affects the composition and selection of the board itself, not school funding or facilities operations. The changes are procedural, focusing solely on who serves on the board and how they are chosen, with no additional policy impacts described. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 Regular Session.