Sen. Stanley Chang

Authorizes dispensaries to sell viable cannabis seeds to qualifying patients or their primary caregivers; provided that not more than 10 seeds per month may be purchased by, or on behalf of, the qualifying patient. Repeals existing statutory language that authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to: (1) inspect a qualifying medical cannabis patient's medical records held by the health provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient; and (2) suspend or revoke a health provider's ability to issue written certification for medical cannabis if the provider refuses the foregoing inspection, or if the medical records do not comply with the medical use of cannabis law. Requires the Department of Health to adopt any necessary rules. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 2451 eliminates the home mortgage interest deduction for second homes under Hawaii's income tax law. This change directly affects Hawaii taxpayers who own second homes and currently claim this tax break on their mortgage interest. The bill removes this specific deduction from the state tax code, meaning owners of secondary properties will no longer receive a tax benefit for mortgage interest paid on those homes. It also requires the state to submit regular reports to the Legislature about the bill's implementation and effects.

Requires the Office of Elections to include a notice to voters that a digital and print voter information guide is available. Requires the notice to be in thirty-two-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot. Requires the Office of Elections to maintain a notice on its website providing certain information about the voter information guide. Requires the Office of Elections to make the digital voter information guide available to the public no later than twenty-one days before the primary election and no later than fifty days before the general election. Appropriates funds. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 3176 appropriates state funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) specifically for rehabilitating, remodeling, renovating, and repairing existing public housing units. The bill directly affects HPHA and the residents living in these publicly managed housing properties by enabling physical upgrades to their homes. Key provisions include allocating money for structural repairs, modernizing facilities, and improving living conditions within the current public housing stock, without creating new housing units or changing eligibility rules. This is a funding measure focused on maintaining and enhancing existing affordable housing infrastructure.

Prohibits any person from providing advisory, negotiation, or procurement assistance to or on behalf of a student athlete relating to endorsements; promotional or marketing services; appearances; autographs; social media branding; content creation or distribution; licensing of publicity rights; brand development, sponsorship, or promotional arrangements; or agreements related to the name, image, or likeness of the student athlete, without being a registered athlete agent in the State and having a valid agency contract executed in compliance with applicable law. (SD1)

Clarifies that the Department of Education and its employees and agents shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability arising from assisting students with the administration of medication under certain circumstances.

Establishes a Cooperative Development Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to award grants to support the establishment of new cooperatives in the State. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2031.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to approve and certify general excise tax exemptions, including for non-contracting costs, for certain housing development projects developed under county housing incentive programs. Makes conforming amendments. Sunsets 7/1/2031. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Clarifies that a partner or member of a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit issued after July 1, 2026, may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any taxpayer. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, until 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 2553 increases the maximum amount of state-funded bonds available for the Hula Mae Multifamily Revenue Program. This change would allow the program to continue financing affordable rental housing projects across the state by raising its funding limit. The bill directly affects affordable housing developers and renters who rely on these state-supported housing options. The program uses revenue bonds to fund new or existing apartment buildings offering below-market rent, and this bill would expand its capacity without creating new requirements. The bill is currently pending review by the Housing Committee.