Sen. Stanley Chang

Maddy summarySB 95 creates new fines for drivers operating vehicles or mopeds without a valid current inspection certificate. This directly affects anyone driving a car, truck, or moped that requires a safety inspection. The key provision increases penalties for this specific violation, adding additional fines beyond existing requirements. The bill does not change inspection requirements or vehicle safety standards, only the financial penalty for non-compliance. It is a straightforward policy change targeting a known enforcement gap in vehicle safety compliance.

Restricts civil asset forfeiture to cases involving the commission of a felony offense where the property owner has been convicted of an underlying felony offense. Directs forfeiture proceeds to the general fund. Amends the allowable expenses for moneys in the criminal forfeiture fund. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Amends the deadline for the Attorney General to report to the Legislature on the use of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Limits the transfer of certain forfeiture property to federal agencies. Establishes records requirements.

Requires the Department of Health, to the extent allowable under federal law, to prioritize the use of Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund moneys for projects by homeowners to upgrade cesspools to director-approved wastewater systems or connect homeowners' properties to sewerage systems, including projects for the installation of cluster systems or community package plants. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 57 requires domestic and foreign corporations operating in the state to provide annual reports to their shareholders detailing all independent political expenditures and political contributions made by the corporation. This directly affects corporations that spend money on political activities, including advertising or donations to candidates or committees outside of direct campaign coordination. The key provision mandates that these reports include specific amounts, recipients, and purposes of each expenditure or contribution. The bill aims to increase transparency about corporate political spending by making this information accessible to shareholders, who are the owners of the corporation. (Note: The bill is pending introduction and has not yet been enacted.)

Protects individuals who make claims of sexual misconduct from defamation lawsuits unless the claims were proven to be made with malice. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Establishes a one-year School Bus Driver Certification Subsidy Pilot Program within the Department of Education for the 20252026 school year. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates fund.

Allows captive insurance companies that are not risk retention captive insurance companies to apply to the Insurance Commissioner for certificates of exemption from examination if the captive insurance companies meet certain requirements.

Maddy summarySB 878 extends the expiration date for Hawaii's State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna (elderly residents) from its original deadline to June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects low-income seniors who rely on the program for housing assistance. The key provision is simply extending the program's operational period without altering eligibility, funding, or benefit levels. The change ensures continued support for vulnerable elderly residents without requiring new legislative action.

Clarifies certain benchmark goals and timeline for the Department of Education to provide locally-sourced agricultural and food products. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Repeals staff of the legislative branch of the State from the list of individuals not included in any appropriate bargaining unit. Specifies that the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each have one vote if they have employees in a particular bargaining unit for the purposes of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement.