Sen. Stanley Chang

Maddy summarySB 298 would allocate additional state funds to the Department of Human Services to expand Medicaid in-home care services. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries requiring in-home support, such as elderly or disabled individuals, by increasing access to these services. The bill's key provision is a funding increase for existing in-home care programs under Medicaid, effective July 1, 3000. It is currently pending committee review in the Health and Human Services committee.

Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score, except the summary of scores, during a debriefing requested by a non-selected offeror. Authorizes the disclosure of a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score after any protest is resolved and the contract is executed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to design a five-year Child Welfare System Diversion and Intervention Pilot Program to support families and children involved, at risk of involvement, or at risk of reinvolvement with Child Welfare Services. Specifies that the Department of Human Services shall implement and administer the pilot program. Allows the Department to contract with public and private entities to provide necessary services. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Future Career and Technical Education Teacher Scholarship Program to be administered by the Department of Education to facilitate the recruitment and retention of career and technical education teachers in Hawaii public schools. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Transportation to institute proceedings to condemn certain lands in Lahaina to build a new access road from Keawe Street to the Kilohana and Kalaiola sites developed in the Villages of Leialii. Appropriates funds out of the Major Disaster Fund for the appraisals and other preparations for the condemnation proceedings. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Establishes a three-year Residential Landlord-Tenant Code Working Group within the Judiciary. Requires an initial report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2026 and a final report no later than 7/1/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summarySB 299 allocates state funds to the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program, helping healthcare professionals repay student loans. It directly affects licensed healthcare workers (like nurses or doctors) who agree to work in underserved areas of the state. The bill provides financial assistance through the existing program, requiring participants to serve in designated high-need communities. The measure is currently under review by the Health and Human Services committee, with a public hearing scheduled for February 10, 2025. It is set to take effect on July 1, 3000.

Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund that targets workforce rental housing projects for persons and families with incomes at or below one hundred forty per cent of the area median income. Authorizes the Director of Finance to transfer funds from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund into the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Appropriates funds into and out of the Mixed-Income Subaccount of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist small businesses with technology enablement and develop project management software to simplify the facilitated application process for small businesses. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes prohibitions on assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms. Expands the ban on high-capacity detachable magazines. Allows possession of an assault rifle, assault shotgun, or detachable magazine with a capacity greater than ten rounds when certain conditions are met. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD2)