Sen. Stanley Chang

Establishes a Regular Session Review Working Group to determine the essential timing and effective framework for a lengthened legislative session calendar for election and non-election years. Requires the Working Group to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature before the convening of the Regular Session of 2028. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to assist the Working Group in finalizing its report and drafting any proposed legislation. Appropriates fund. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Establishes a Capitol Visitor Center Working Group to study the feasibility of establishing a Capitol Visitor Center and submit a report to the Legislature. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to provide administrative support to the Working Group. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to assist the Working Group in preparing and submitting the report to the Legislature. Working Group to sunset on 6/30/2027. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Special Fund. Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program to support qualified veterinarians committed to or currently working in veterinary medicine in the State. Authorizes the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine to enter into agreements, including memoranda of understanding, with the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, and accredited out-of-state schools to increase the availability of accredited veterinary programs and licensure opportunities to residents of the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet during a state of emergency. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast. Requires a news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window during broadcasts of official emergency announcements.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to expend the moneys from the State Parks Special Fund for programs aimed at environmental protection.

Requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the health care communication needs of patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind. Requires a report to the Legislature 20 days prior to the 2027 Regular Session.

Appropriates funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program for interpreter training. (SD1)

Requires all health carriers to allocate, initially, not less than 6% of the carrier's total medical expenditures to primary care providers, with the percentage increasingly incrementally to 12%. Requires health carriers to pay primary care providers directly, rather than through administrative mechanisms. Places restrictions on downcoding and claim modifications. Requires health carriers to ensure access to primary care in rural areas, including access to Primary Care Access Visits and Community Access Primary Care Sites. Requires Insurance Commissioner to administer requirements established in bill. Requires the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division to apply the Act, to the extent permitted by federal law and subject to any federal approvals, to Medicaid managed care organizations. Requires reports. Requires the Auditor to evaluate the impact of the Act on various metrics 3 years after the measure's effective date. Establishes the primary care stabilization special fund.

Prohibits persons being prosecuted for or convicted of the crime of criminal trespass on agricultural land from owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition.

Requires a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, member of the Legislature, department heads and their deputies, and any spouse or dependent child of a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, member of the Legislature, or department head and their deputies to place certain financial interests in a blind trust. Prohibits a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, member of the Legislature, department head and their deputies, and any spouse or dependent child of a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, member of the Legislature, or department head and their deputies from acquiring certain financial interests during their term of service. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)